There are still a few misconceptions about youth athlete development. Youth athlete development training should begin at the age of five and should be carefully monitored.
These days, children are starting to participate in competitive sports at a younger age than ever before. They also may choose to specialize in one sport.
The common belief is that what was good in Tiger Woods’s early years will also be good for their children. This belief is not true. There are increasing numbers of sports-related injuries and young “burnout” that prevent them from reaching their full potential.
According to the American Orthopedic Surgeons, nearly 40% of all injuries related to sports are caused by children aged 5-14 years. Overuse injuries account for up to half of all youth sports injuries. 62% of injuries related to organized sports occur during practice.
It is often believed that youth must be physically prepared by lifting heavy weights with dumbbells or a barbell. However, Apex knows this misconception is false.
Basic motor skills like breathing, running, jumping, throwing, and catching, as well as balance, climbing and dexterity are essential to help build a foundation that will allow them to become better at sports and other professions. When coaches, parents, and educators say that everyone knows how to run or to throw, it is often taken for granted.
However, they may be able to demonstrate their knowledge but not necessarily how to do them properly. Some athletes have poor hip positioning, others run limply, while others run with poor hip alignment, while others run on their heels, and some run with unsynchronized arm movements. The training can be expanded as the child gets older and the foundation is established. This will allow for better overall development.
The message of “The game is the teacher” is important for both individual skill development as well as tactical understanding in team games. It allows performers to use their self-organizing skills to improve their performance implicitly. Games should not be chosen from a coaching book. They should be designed to reflect the task’s intrinsic and task dynamics. Children can solve game-based problems through the design of representative games. This allows them to tune in to the opportunities provided by the actions of their teammates and the opponents.
The unique form of adaptation to limitations that is movement creativity is called, “Movement Creativity” Problems can be created by constraints. It is important to let “the game be your teacher”, as this allows performers to learn implicitly through self-organization processes.
Drills and games are developed by Apex based on the perceptual and movement needs of our athletes to allow them to “play” and find the best movement solutions for their movement problems. This type of learning is very enjoyable because it allows athletes to discover different solutions without having to be told what to do.
At Apex performance we are a community of highly trained experts looking to provide performance enhancement and a permanent lifestyle change for our clients in a fun and interactive environment. Members can take advantage of personal training in Tampa, one-on-one training, small group classes, and specialized courses for a wide variety of athletics, youth sports training, and nutritional guidance!
Contact Apex Performance for more information on safe youth athlete development today!
