Athletic Development and Physical Preparation
Learn how to develop and enhance physical capabilities
DIVE INLearn how to prioritise physical development in programmes that meet everyone's needs
Why do I need to know about athletic development and physical preparation?
From play in the playground to becoming physically active for life, physical literacy is essential.
Sport and physical activity are based on fundamental movements and a participant who can control their body efficiently and effectively will be able to perform a wider range of movements and develop a greater repertoire of skills.
While you can work with participants of any age to develop fundamental movement skills, an emphasis on this in the early years provides a strong foundation for participants to develop their competency and confidence.
By designing an effective athletic development programme, you will both reduce the chances of injury and ensure that you are providing a platform to physically prepare your participants as they develop.
Start with developing a wide range of generic motor skills, as they allow for more varied participation in sport and physical activity, before progressing to developing related and specific movements. The age-old adage, 'can't catch, can't play,' applies here. This development naturally takes place against the backdrop of the individual's growth and maturation.
Below, discover the pillars of this theme to aid your understanding of athletic development and physical preparation. You'll also find UK Coaching Club membership details with which you can unlock access to the resources of the Coach Learning Framework.
Physical Literacy and Athletic Development
Learn how to support your participants to develop their movement skills and gain in confidence and competence
Physical Preparation
Consider how to develop programmes that meet your participants' needs and prepare them for the demands of their sport or physical activity
Growth and Maturation
Understand how each participant's sporting history, training age and experiences have had an impact on athletic development foundations and opportunities
Injury Prevention
Include injury prevention in your coaching programme to reduce injuries and risks
UK Coaching Club
As a UK Coaching Club Member, you'll be able to dive into the essentials of each theme for free. This includes the insightful 9-theme 'Guides', engaging 'Coaching Conversations', and our 'Kickstarters' designed to get your coaching off to a flying start.
Framework Guide
With the help of this comprehensive guide, you will develop the essential foundations to enable your participants to engage in lifelong physical activity
READ THE GUIDE
Coaching Conversations
Watch coaches share their lived experiences, offering real-life examples and strategies to help you immediately develop and grasp the theme of ‘athletic development and physical preparation’, enhancing your participants’ physical literacy
WATCH THE VIDEOS
Kickstarter
Download activities that invite you to reflect, consider, and try out new approaches that will help you design programmes to enhance strength and conditioning, prevent injuries, and support recovery
DOWNLOAD THE ACTIVITIESUK Coaching Club Premium Membership
Coach Learning Framework
Continue your journey through the framework to learn more about the other eight themes and the key attributes of high-quality coaching environments, and how you can demonstrate the skills, qualities and behaviours that will empower the people you coach to achieve their personal goals.