Seeing And Taking Action In Development Part 3

One of the questionnaires in a survey done by the USA Olympic Committee with the USA Olympic medalist from 1956, Melbourne Olympics to 1984, LA Olympics was, "who are the key people behind their success", the answers were:

1. Parent
2. Coach
3. Friend

Parents and coaches have to work hand to hand in a child's progress from the fundamental stage to all stages; an enjoyable learning curve.

There are seven stages in the development of a child in sports: as illustrated below:

• Stage 1: Active Start ( 0-6years old)
• Stage 2: Fundamental (girls: 6-8, boys 6-9)
• Stage 3: Learn To Train (girls 8-11, boys 9-12)
• Stage 4:Train To Train (girls 11-15, boys 12-16)
• Stage 5:Train To Compete(girls 15-21, boys 16-23)
• Stage 6:Train To Win (girls 18+, boys 19+)
• Stage 7:Active For Life

In what are the qualities, these Olympians saw in their coach:

1.Former international
2.Ability to teach
3.Motivational skills

Coaches must have the ability to imbue their players with their knowledge on the game, and that will only happen when there is a two-way relationship between them.

How successful is your development program from Stage 1 to 4, can be gauge at the Stage 5 level.

At Stage 5; after the age of 21, if the dropout rate among the youth players is very high, and the quality of players is not as desired, then the development program must be revamped from Stage 1.

Vice Versa, when you have embodied excellence from Stage 1 to 4, players with such qualities as below will blossom from the development program and will end up playing hockey for life.

Self-discipline- The word discipline is derived from a relationship between a disciple and a master, and the etymological meaning is to learn. We will see players with self- discipline, that is want to learn.
Learning doesn't happen by compelling, or by instilling fear or suppression on players

Self-training-Short camps, and during off camp players doing self-training to master the skills the coach had thought them. Creativity cannot be given by a coach, it's the players that must work hard for the creativity to flower out.

Self-knowledge- You seek answers, to uplift your game.
You will question yourself " Where is my game heading?"; Understand your own strength and weakness, and seek ways to improve your game, that will elevate your team to greater heights.


Thank You.