Please describe how you align with each of the 5 American Development Model principles.
1. Developmentally appropriate activities that emphasize motor and foundational skill development.
A clear understanding of an athlete’s developmental level (as opposed to his or her age) will help coaches, parents and administrators appropriately tailor the training, skills and tactics taught to maximize an individual’s full potential, while helping avoid burnout. In order to succeed, participants must first learn foundational motor skills and technique. Coaches, parents and administrators who jump directly into competition tactics and strategy without emphasizing basic fundamentals may put their athletes at a disadvantage. To ensure long-term success, participants must be given adequate time and knowledge to develop these essential building blocks for success.
2. Enhanced entry to create opportunities for all
Enhanced entry is defined as creating opportunities for everyone to begin and participate in sport. By providing enhanced entry to all regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, physical ability, and economic status, more Americans could become involved in sport and be more physically active. Sport must be inclusive so that everyone has the opportunity to discover the benefit of physical activity and realize their full athletic potential. Sport and physical activity are tools for Americans to express themselves, develop social relationships and learn valuable life lessons.
3. Encourage multi-sport participation
Multi-sport participation is critical to developing a well-rounded foundation for physical activity that can transfer between sports. Encouraging children to participate in multiple sport activities at a young age offers them the opportunity to explore, play and discover sport according to their personal interests and skill level. Multi-sport play, regardless of age, also provides several cross-training benefits for all — such as strength, endurance, agility, coordination and speed training — that enhances athleticism and promotes a healthy lifestyle. Athletes also benefit from the social and psychological impact of multi-sport participation.
4. Fun, engaging and challenging atmosphere
A fun, engaging and challenging environment is essential for any sport activity. The definition of “fun” may change as participants advance to more elite levels of competition, but a standard emphasis on making the process positive and enjoyable is key. Free and spontaneous play is encouraged to help foster growth and development. By offering the opportunity for unstructured play, athletes are more likely to customize physical activity to meet their needs and keep the fun in sport intact. Fun, engaging and challenging = long term golfers and that equals long term customers.
5. Quality coaching at all age levels
Quality coaches are critical to athlete development; therefore quality coaching education is imperative for athlete success at all levels. Quality coaching not only requires a youth coach to be qualified and highly knowledgeable about their sport, but also to understand effective communication, practice planning and athlete development. The very best coaches view themselves as life- long learners and are always working toward improving themselves.