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From Needham to the CIS
As coaches, teachers, administrators and parents, we need to look at the big picture for Canadian football. We want to develop “star” players who can play on the big stage, but we also want to encourage recreational players who can benefit from the health aspects of football and give back to the game for years to come as coaches, officials, and administrators.
Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) is Football Canada’s pathway to success on both fronts. LTAD is a player-centered approach that provides guidelines for correct training, competition, and recovery based on scientific principles of human development and athlete training, combined with the knowledge of expert coaches.
Player-centered means we respect the developmental needs of our players first and foremost. We ensure that our young players have fun while they learn so they want to continue playing. It also means we provide challenging opportunities for special talents so they can develop their abilities and pursue excellence. All of these needs are addressed in the seven stages of LTAD.
To learn more about From Playground to Stadium visit: www.FootballCanada.com. To learn more about LTAD visit: www.canadiansportforlife.ca
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Training objectives:
1. Practice and master fundamental movement skills.
2. Emphasize agility, balance, coordination and speed.
3. Introduction to basic rules and multiple disciples of football (tackle, flag, touch)
4. Participate in multiple positions and learn basics of game.
Guiding Principles:
1. Safe, community based programs with equal participation.
2. Skill development (practice) is placed ahead of competition (games).
3. Social development and fun are key.
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Training objectives:
1. Critical period for motor skill development.
2. Develop speed, power and endurance using activities through many sports.
3. Focus on general sport skills.
4. Participate in several positions (O and D) and build a foundation of football skills.
Guiding Principles:
1. Athletes develop skill at a variety of O and D positions which are developmentally appropriate.
2. Skill development is more important than winning.
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Training objectives:
1. Key period for developing mental skills to integrate motor skills into game patterns – understand and read the game.
2. Develop speed, power and start strength training in conjunction with growth spurt.
3. Consolidation of basic skills, acquisition of advanced skills. (See Matrix)
Guiding principles:
1. Athletes develop skill at variety of O and D positions.
2. Training, competition and positional play is developmentally appropriate.
3. Skill development is more important than winning.
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Technical Skills:
Throwing, catching and kicking. Skills specific to a variety of both O and D positions.
Tactical Skills:
Introduction to the game and basic rules, skills focus on running, throwing, catching and kicking.
Physical Skills:
Agility, balance and coordination (ABCs). Running and change of direction. Jumping, twisting and spinning. Hand and foot speed, visual awareness, flexibility and aerobic capacity.
Mental Skills:
Code of conduct, respect for game and people, enjoy competition.
Life Skills:
Teamwork, problem solving.
Game Options:
Flag football. Modified tackle with 6v6 on small field with small ball. Skills emphasized and winning de-emphasized. FUN.
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Technical Skills:
Throwing, catching and kicking. Ball skills – exchanges, carrying. Blocking and block protection, tackling and flagging/touching.
Tactical Skills:
Learning the basic game rules. Pass routes, man to man defensive coverage, formation recognition and adjustments.
Physical Skills:
Agility, balance, coordination, back peddle and change of direction. Hand and foot speed. Flexibility, limited body weight strength training.
Mental Skills:
Visualization, goal setting, thought stop, breathing exercise for calming, progressive muscular relaxation.
Life Skills:
Partnership, teamwork, problem solving.
Game Options:
Defence - Man defence only, no motion or stunts, limited rushers, no DL on Centre. Offence – no motion, balanced sets only, limited # RBs, required pass attempt/3 downs.
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Technical Skills:
Throwing, catching, kicking, ball skills, exchanges, tackling, flagging/touching, blocking and block protection.
Tactical Skills:
ID formations and adjustments, strategies, more positional tactics.
Physical Skills:
Continue to build on earlier physical development.
Mental Skills:
Goal setting, self talk, visualization, thought stopping, concentration skills, game planning.
Life Skills:
Communication, teamwork, problem solving, discipline, work ethic, coping skills, confidence, respect, fair play, pursuit of excellence.
Game Options:
Defence - Man defence, limited rushers, introduce stunts, blitzing and shifts at upper end of stage. Offence - motion introduced, required pass attempt/3 downs.
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