LONG TERM ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT (LTAD) MODEL
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LTAD SPORT SPECIFIC LEAFLETS
WHY IS LTAD IMPORTANT?
Youngsters must be adequately prepared for a life in sport (many people enjoy working hard to improve, even without aspirations to be elite performers). LTAD provides a model to work from.
Children may play in school teams but, in adulthood, many discover new pursuits to better fit their lifestyles. The commonality is that sport lovers have the confidence and skills to move between sports.
The LTAD approach was designed to help prepare players to reach elite levels, but is equally valid for a healthy lifelong participation in sport.
The 10 year rule, which refers to the 10 years of practice required to become an expert or proficient performer, seems frightening, but does not just refer to 10 years of sport related activity.
Some athletes move into an elite sport at a late stage, having played other sports - the LTAD approach suggests that playing other sports is part of the 10 year development programme.
In contrast, many coaches lose talented players because they no longer enjoy themselves, so coaches and sporting bodies are beginning to re-examine how youngsters are prepared for sport.
There are 6 phases of the LTAD model, each have an objective, content and frequency - please note that some sports may only identify 5 phases, depending on what that sport has highlighted in their LTAD plans.
Phase 1 - FUNdamentals (FUN)
Objective
TO LEARN FUNDAMENTAL MOVEMENT SKILLS
Content
Overall development, focusing on the ABC's (Agility, Balance, Coordination, Speed) to underpin the generic skills used in many sports: Running, jumping and throwing.
Frequency
Perform physical activity 5-6 times per week.
Phase 2 - Learning to Train (L2T)
Objective
TO LEARN FUNDAMENTALS SPORTS SKILLS
Content
Concentration on the range of FUNdamental sports skills, such as throwing, catching, jumping and running.
Introduction to readiness: being mentally and physically prepared.
Basic FUNdamental tactics, eg if fielding, net/wall, invasion games can be introduced.
Cognitive and emotional development are central
Skills are practised in challenging formats
Frequency
As above. If there is a favoured sport, it is suggested that at least 50% of the time is allocated to other sports/activities that develop a range of skills.
Phase 3 - Training to Train (T2T)
Objective
TO BUILD FITNESS & SPECIFIC SPORTS SKILLS
Content
This phase ideally occurs post-puberty and attention switches to:
Fitness Training
Detailed mental preparation
A focus on sport-specific skill development, including perceptual skills (reading the game/tactical understanding).
Decision making
Detailed and extensive evaluation
Frequency
For the aspiring performer, sport specific practice will now be 6-9 times per week.
Phase 4 - Training to Compete (T2C)
Objective
TO REFINE SKILLS FOR A SPECIFIC EVENT OR POSITION
Content
Event and position specific training
Physical conditioning
Technical and tactical preparation
Advanced mental practice
All of the above come together and are developed under competition conditions.
Frequency
Training could be up to 12 times per week.
Phase 5 - Training to Win (T2W)
Objective
TO MAXIMISE PERFORMANCE IN COMPETITION
Content
Development and refinement of the aspects above, but with more use in competition modelling and more attention to rest periods and prevention of injury due to heavier load.
Frequency
Training could be up to 15 times per week
Phase 6 - Retainment
For athletes/players retiring from competitive sport, many sports are developing Masters programmes. An additional phase retainment - keeps the players/athletes involved in physical activity. Experiences gained as competitors can be invaluable, should they move into administration, coaching or officiating.
A move to another sport, perhaps at a more recreational level, may better suit some.
TRAINING & EDUCATION AROUND LTAD
The Active Surrey Sports Partnership run a series of workshops that look at introducing the LTAD model into coaching/activity sessions.
Delegates are required to attend the theory workshop titled "An introduction to LTAD" prior to attending the practical workshop titled "Fundamentals of Movement", looking at phase 1 of the model.
These workshops are run by sports coach UK tutors and all workshops are certificated, a resource will also be issued when attending the LTAD theory workshop.
To book onto these workshops in Surrey please click here.
For more information please contact Sarah Williams on 01483 518957 or email on sarah.williams@surreycc.gov.uk.
sports coach UK have a website that highlights all aspects of coaching development; to view this website click on the address: www.sportscoachuk.org
NGB SPORT SPECIFIC LEAFLETS ON LTAD
Some National Governing Body of Sports have produced their own leaflets on how they implement LTAD into their sport and what it means for them.
The following sports have produced a leaflet and can be viewed by clicking this link to the relevant section of the sports coach UK website.
Page Last Updated: Thursday 18th April 2007
