LONG-TERM ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT - Skate Canada

T H E 1 0 K E Y F A C T O R S I N F L U E N C I N G
865 Sheord Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1J 1H9
L O N G - T E R M Phone A613.747.1007 T H LI Toll EFree T1.888.747.2372 E D EI Fax V613.748.5718 E L OI Toll PFree MFax 1.877.211.2372 E N T
There are 10 interrelated factors influencing long-term
athlete development that are common to all sport
organizations:
1. At least 10 years to reach the top
2. FUNdamentals
3. Specialization
4. Developmental age (growth, development,
maturation)
5. Windows of optimal trainability (5 S’s)
6. Physical, mental, cognitive, and emotional
development
7. Periodization: planning, training, competition
and recovery
8. Domestic competition review
9. System alignment and integration
10. Continuous improvement
These 10 factors greatly influenced the development
of Skate Canada’s LTADM. The experts involved in the
process continually visited and re-visited these factors
to ensure that our model accurately reflects both
contemporary realities facing our sport (and Canadian
sport in general), as well as to provide a road map to
help us get to where we want to be in the future.
1. At Least 10 Years to Reach the Top
Literature suggests that it takes at least 10 years or more
and over 10,000 hours of training to reach international
excellence. Of course, these 10,000 hours of training
must be effective and take advantage of sensitive
periods of athlete development. There are no shortcuts.
Athlete development is a long-term process. Short-term
performance goals must never be allowed to undermine
long-term athlete development.
2. FUNdamentals
Success in sport, however defined, depends to a great
extent on the development of physical literacy. This is
defined as competency in fundamental movement skills
(run, jump, throw, swim) and motor skills (ABC’s: agility,
balance, coordination and speed), as well as basic sport
skills.
L o n g - Te r m A t h l e t e D e v e l o p m e n t
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These three key components should be taught in a
fun learning environment to equate physicality to
enjoyment. It is our goal to ensure that all members
registering in a Skate Canada program learn and
incorporate the basics early in their involvement in
the sport. Children should develop physical literacy
before the onset of their growth spurt. Without these
basic movement skills and motor skills a child will have
difficulty participating in any sport and will have fewer
opportunities for athletic success and lifelong enjoyment
of physical activity.
Getting the Sequence Right
For children to have success in sport – either as a health
related recreational activity or in competition, it is
important that they master fundamental movement
skills before learning fundamental sport skills, and
important that they learn fundamental sport skills before
being introduced to specific techniques.