THE PLAYER DEVELOPMENT PATHWAY: A BIOMECHANICAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to challenge biomechanists to think more about how they may assist coaches to enhance the player development pathway (11 – 15 – 18 year old). It is imperative we play an integral role in creating the appropriate ‘learning environment’, by providing a sound theoretical framework with respect to; task decomposition (practice using the appropriate lead-up drills), together with skill and practice variability. Biomechanists must also understand how variables change over the development pathway if they are to assist coaches structure the optimal learning environment. This paper will discuss the above with specific references to a number of sporting activities.