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Long-Term Athlete Development

Long-Term Athlete Development

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$89.95 CAD


 

Product Format

    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.

    Audience

    Reference for youth sport organizers and administrators, coaches, national governing bodies, and policy makers involved in sport and physical activity at the regional and national levels; text for undergraduate students in coaching and talent development courses in sport science programs.

    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 reeducing physical inactivity. He is a professor emeritus at Memorial University of Newfoundland in Canada. Higgs resides in Sydenham, Ontario, Canada.

    “An indispensable guide for any coach or parent concerned with making sport healthier and more ethical. This book brings fresh ideas to the practice of sport and truly represents thinking outside the box. As human beings, we only have one body so we need to treat it well. Too many athletes leave sport with long-term injuries and a record of underperformance. The ideas in this book can change that and allow everyone in sport to get the most out of talents and ambitions.”

    Jim Denison -- Professor, University of Alberta, Director, Canadian Athletics Coaching Centre

    “The authors show that programs of sport and wellness can be complementary, not mutually exclusive. Thus, long-term athlete development is consistent with the goals of North American initiatives—Sport Canada, the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition.”

    CHOICE: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries