Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) focuses on maximising player development to encourage life long commitment to sport and exercise. The key issues are the availability of appropriate competition for children (the right balance between coaching and competition) and encouraging children to participate in as many sports as possible at a young age. This will prepare them more effectively to specialise later.

The approach of LTAD recognises the importance of having high quality coaches working with children and young people during the early stages of their involvement. Whilst acknowledging that LTAD aims to produce greater number of performers at the very highest level it also encompasses support for participants who wish to participate in sport recreationally. LTAD is a philosophy based on the following elements:

• FUNdamentals - Need for children to learn a wide range of movement skills in a fun environment, taking a multi skills approach;
• Learning to Train - Introducing basic skills to preferred activities through regular practice in fun based environments;
• Training to Train - Individualised programmes based on individual development;
• Training to Compete - Focus on diagnosing strengths and weaknesses for selected event/positions and devising a programme accordingly;
• Training to Win - Focus of training on optimising performance or peaking at selected competitive events;
• Retaining - Performers take up alternative activities after withdrawing from competitive sport.

Acknowledgment: (taken from 'Coaching for Long Term Athlete Development' by Ian Stafford and Istvan Balyi)

LTAD is becoming an important concept for sport in the UK. Many sports are currently looking at the LTAD model and are beginning to integrate it into their sporting pathway. It is a challenging process for sports, and all are at different stages in doing this. Courses are available so to find out more either contact your NGB or click here.