Growth & Maturation

Growth & Maturation of youth athletes is an issue coaches must cautiously deal with. One underlying concern with these youth athletes is that all individuals have different rates of physical growth. While two athletes might have the same birthday in the same year, different growth rates result in different physical characteristics. As youth athletes, not only are they physically developing, they are also cognitively developing. As compared to adult athletes, they are more likely to make poor judgements and this includes the inability to recognise dangers in game situations. Therefore, training should always be in a safe environment and youth coaches should do a risk and safety assessment before each activity.

While these athletes are developing, it is important for coaches to be mindful and aware that they are not the finished product and are still growing physically and mentally. By being aware of these ongoing and ever changing circumstances, coaches can better plan and manage trainings that are suitable in terms of safety, challenge, effectiveness and enjoyment for the youth.

Implications for poor handling of growth and maturation

• Injuries to youth athlete that can be short term and long term

• Missing out on potential talent who take longer to fully develop due to relative age effect

Tips for youth coaches

• Kids should focus on mastering their fundamental movement skills (FMS) before learning sport specific skills. FMS include things like:

• Running, hopping, leaping, climbing, skipping, rolling (locomotion)
• Catching, throwing, pushing, pulling, kicking, striking (manipulation)
• Turning, twisting, landing, extending, stretching, tucking (stabilisation) 

• Matching opponents according to size to reduce risk for injury for smaller kids when competing against kids who are bigger sized.

• Take note of peak height velocity for youth as it is the period where they physically grow the fastest. It is 12 to 16 for males and 10 to 14 for girls. By paying attention to these trends, coaches can plan more appropriate drills and trainings.

• Be mindful of Relative Age Effect when selecting players as youth athletes born in quartile 1 (Jan - Mar) might appear better just because they are born earlier as compared to another youth athlete born in quartile 4 (Oct – Dec). *This is based on a Singaporean context where selection periods for schools occur in quartile 1.  

• Youth coaches should not neglect youth who are developmentally slower as these kids could have potential as well. Plan training activities by matching youth athletes with similar abilities.

• Youth coaches should do a risk and safety assessment before each activity

• Trainings should be planned in a progressive manner and precautionary measures like wearing necessary protection pads should be enforced.

Matching Opponents. (n.d.). Retrieved July 20, 2017, from https://www.pdhpe.net/sports-medicine/what-role-do-preventative-actions-play-in-enhancing-the-wellbeing-of-the-athlete/sports-policy-and-the-sports-environment/matching-opponents/

S. (Ed.). (2017, January 09). Youth Physical Development Model - Animation. Retrieved July 20, 2017, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01Mge4aqsSw