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Long-Term Athlete Development

Long-Term Athlete Development

Name: Long-Term Athlete Development
Author: Istvan Balyi
ISBN: 9780736092180

by Istvan Balyi, Richard Way and Colin Higgs

Published by: Human Kinetics

Imprint: Human Kinetics

296 Pages, 216.00 × 279.00 mm

Hardcover
9780736092180
Published: September 2013

£52.00

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Digital download
9781492576631
Published: July 2018

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Long-Term Athlete Development describes how to systematically develop sporting excellence and increase active participation in local, regional, and national sport organizations. This resource describes the long-term athlete development (LTAD) model, an approach to athlete-centered sport that combines skill instruction with long-term planning and an understanding of human development. By learning about LTAD, sport administrators and coaches will gain the knowledge and tools to enhance participation and improve performance and growth of athletes.

This text offers the first in-depth and practical explanation of the LTAD model. Long-Term Athlete Development integrates current research on talent development and assessment into practice to help sport leaders plan athletic development across the life span or design detailed programs for a particular group, including those with physical and cognitive disabilities. Authors Balyi, Way, and Higgs—pioneers and veteran LTAD facilitators—critique current talent development models, discuss the limitations of the LTAD model, and demonstrate the benefits of LTAD as a new approach. By integrating knowledge of these models, readers are able to analyze their own programs and take steps to improve sport and coaching philosophies and reach adherence and performance goals.

Explanations and visuals of concepts help readers understand the state of knowledge in talent identification and long-term athlete development. Chapter-opening vignettes offer examples of how the LTAD model can be used to alleviate common issues. Listings at the end of each chapter offer sources for further study, and reflection questions guide readers in applying the content. The text offers a logical presentation of current research:

• Key factors that guide and shape the LTAD model, such as physical literacy, the differences between early- and late-specialization sports, and variations in trainability across the life span

• Information on the time needed to develop excellence in sport and how periodization of training is related to the developmental stage of the athlete

• The seven stages of LTAD, from development of fundamental movement skills to training for elite competition and the transition to lifelong physical activity

• Considerations in the development of optimal programs for participants passing through each of the seven stages

Long-Term Athlete Development is an essential guide to improving the quality of sport, developing high-performance athletes, and creating healthy, active citizens. It offers parents, coaches, and sport administrators a deeper understanding of the LTAD model, helping them create an enjoyable, developmentally appropriate environment for both competitive athletes and enthusiastic participants.

Part I. Introduction to Long-Term Athlete Development

Chapter 1. Long-Term Athlete Deveopment Model

Beginnings of LTAD

LTAD Model Explained

Sport for Life Philosophy

Framework for Working Together

Guide for Participating in Sport and Physical Activity

Tool for Change

Summary

Questions for Reflection

References

To Learn More

Chapter 2. Athletes With Disabilities

Sport for People With Disabilities

LTAD Stages for Athletes With Disabilities

Special Considerations

Supporting Athletes With Disabilities

Summary

Questions for Reflection

References

To Learn More

Part II. Key Factors in Long-Term Athlete Development

Chapter 3. Physical Literacy

Physical Literacy Definitions

Physical Literacy Development in Children

Appropriate Skill Development in Children

Summary

Questions for Reflection

References

To Learn More

Chapter 4. Specialization

Specialization Defined

Negative Consequences of Specializing Too Early

Positive Effects of Specialization at the Optimal Time

Optimal Time to Specialize

Specialization Groups

Sport-Specific Specialization Athlete Development Models

Summary

Questions for Reflection

References

To Learn More

Chapter 5. Age

Age Categories

Relative Age

Developmental Age

Measuring and Monitoring Growth

Summary

Questions for Reflection

References

To Learn More

Chapter 6. Trainability

Sensitive Periods of Trainability

Trainability of Stamina

Trainability of Strength

Trainability of Speed

Trainability of Skill

Trainability of Suppleness

Training and Competition During Puberty

Summary

Questions for Reflection

References

To Learn More

Chapter 7. Intellectual, Emotional, and Moral Development

Capacities

Interplay of Intellectual, Emotional and Moral Development

Physical Development

Intellectual Development

Emotional Development

Moral Development

Influence of Intellectual, Emotional, and Moral Development on LTAD

Learning Styles

Summary

Questions for Reflection

References

To Learn More

Chapter 8. Excellence Takes Time

Importance of Practice in Excellence

Importance of Multisport Participation and Free Play

Importance of the Physical, Cognitive, and Emotional Domains to Excellence

Perils of Premature Selection

Keys to Achieving Necessary Training Hours

Summary

Questions for Reflection

References

To Learn More

Chapter 9. Periodization

Periodization and LTAD

Components of Periodization

10-Step Approach to Creating an Annual Plan

Implementing the 10 Steps of an Annual Cycle

Summary

Questions for Reflection

References

To Learn More

Chapter 10. Competition

Competition and LTAD

Issues in Competition

Making Good Decisions

Training-to-Competition Ratios Through the Stages

Summary

Questions for Reflection

References

To Learn More

Chapter 11. Sport System Alignment and Integration

System Alignment From an Individual Perspective

System Alignment From a Sport Organization Perspective

System Alignment From a Sector Perspective

LTAD and S4L Implications for Policy Development

Summary

Questions for Reflection

References

To Learn More

Chapter 12. Continuous Improvement

Technology Changes

Paradigm Changes

Influencing Change

Actions for Continuous Improvement

Summary

Questions for Reflection

References

To Learn More

Part III. Stages of Long-Term Athlete Development

Chapter 13. Active Start

Active Start Importance

Physical Activity and the Brain

Critical and Sensitive Periods

Maturity and Body Movements

Appropriate Activities and Programs

Summary

Questions for Reflection

References

To Learn More

Chapter 14. Fundamentals

Evolution of Skills

Fundamental Movement Skills

Locomotor Skills in Varied Environments

Attaining All of the Fundamental Movement Skills

Learning and Teaching Fundamental Movement Skills

Key Training and Performance Characteristics

Summary

Questions for Reflection

References

To Learn More

Chapter 15. Learn to Train

Learn to Train Basics

Key Training and Performance Characteristics

Summary

Questions for Reflection

References

To Learn More

Chapter 16. Train to Train

Train to Train Basics

Key Training and Performance Characteristics

Summary

Questions for Reflection

References

To Learn More

Chapter 17. Train to Compete

Train to Compete Basics

Key Training and Performance Characteristics

Summary

Questions for Reflection

Summary

To Learn More

Chapter 18. Train to Win

Train to Win Basics

Key Training and Performance Characteristics

Summary

Questions for Reflection

Summary

To Learn More

Chapter 19. Active for Life

Active for Life Basics

Importance of Active for Life

Competitive for Life Basics

Fit for Life Basics

Sport and Physical Activity Leaders

Summary

Questions for Reflection

References

To Learn More

Istvan Balyi, MA, is a sport consultant and expert in Canadian Sport for Life and long-term athlete development. Balyi has served as a sport scientist in residence at the National Coaching Institute in Victoria, British Columbia, and remains involved in the program delivery of planning and periodization and LTAD.

As one of the architects of the long-term athlete development model, Balyi has served as an LTAD advisor for 50 sports in 7 countries and facilitated the use of LTAD for more than 20 countries. Balyi has worked with 17 Canadian national teams as a high-performance consultant and been responsible for athletic development planning and periodization for multiple Olympic medalists. In addition, Balyi has taught planning, periodization, and LTAD modules in Australia, Bahrain, Chile, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Portugal, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, the United Sates, the Netherlands, and Wales.

Balyi resides in Victoria, British Columbia, where he enjoys reading, listening to music, and cooking.

Richard Way, MBA, is Canadian Sport for Life's Senior Leader and is an expert on long-term athlete development. He is also a principal of Citius Performance Corporation and serves on the faculty of the Institute for Global Studies at the University of Delaware.

Way developed the LTAD model along with Istvan Balyi and has served as a long-term athlete development advisor for 30 sports in 4 countries. He has also facilitated the use of LTAD in over 50 countries.

As a chartered professional coach, Way represented Canada as a luge racer and coach for over 10 years. Way holds a Medal of Honor for Exceptional Contributions to the Development of the International Luge Sport awarded by the Federation Internationale de Luge de Course (FIL). He received his advanced diploma in coaching in 2005 from the National Coaching Institute.

Way is president of the International Sport for Life Society. He was also the director of sport for Vancouver's successful 2010 Bid Corporation. Way enjoys spending time with his children in community sports, traveling, and playing soccer and hockey. He resides in Victoria, British Columbia.

Colin Higgs, PhD, is a sport consultant and expert in long-term athlete development. He has worked with many national governments and nongovernmental sport and disability sport organizations in North America, the Caribbean, southern Africa, and central Asia.

As a consultant, Higgs is currently involved in the redevelopment of the Caribbean Coaching Certification Program and the design, development, and implementation of a youth sport program in the Caribbean to reduce the incidence and impact of HIV/ AIDS. Higgs is working to transform the Canadian sport system with the goals of decreased negative medical consequences of physical inactivity and increased international sport performance for Canada's athletes.

Higgs is a frequent presenter at international conferences and has authored more than 60 publications on physical literary, long-term athlete development, and coaching with special emphasis on individuals with disabilities.

In 2013 Higgs was the inaugural recipient of the International Paralympic Committee's Sport Science Awards and also received the Queen's 60th Jubilee Medal for community service to Canada in support of reducing physical inactivity. He is a professor emeritus at Memorial University of Newfoundland in Canada. Higgs resides in Sydenham, Ontario, Canada.