PE Program

Long Term Athlete Development

Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) plan provides a framework for developing physical literacy, physical fitness and competitive ability for competing at the highest level of international competitions using a stage by stage approach.


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Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) STAGES

The Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model outlines a progression through stages: starting with Active Start (0-6 years) for basic movement, Fundamentals (6-9 years) for physical literacy, Learn to Train (9-12 years) for sport-specific skills, Train to Train (12-16 years) for specialized training, Train to Compete (16-23 years) for high-intensity competition, Train to Win (19+ years) for elite performance, and Active for Life (any age) for lifelong physical activity.

LTAD Stages

Active Start Stage Age: 0 to 6 years

Create the right setting for children to learn and make physical activity a fun part of daily life.

Help them learn Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS).

Let them run, jump, climb, and swing it’s important for their development

Fundamental Stage Age: 6 - 9(M) & 6 - 8(F)

Focus on developing Fundamental Movement Skills and building overall Motor Skills.

Encourage multi-sports participation that helps develop agility, balance & coordination.

Fist Window of Trainability for speed.

Introduce team games for decision making

Avoid early specialization

Learn to Train Stage Age: 9 - 12(M) & 8 - 11(F)

Focus on developing Fundamental Sports Skills.

Introduce Musculo-skeletal Screening

General talent identification begins.

Start specialization to the sports of their choice.

Integrate physical, mental, cognitive and emotional components within a well-structured program

Train to Train Stage Age: 12 - 16(M) & 11 - 15 (F)

Regular monitoring of PHV (Peak Height Velocity)

Develop endurance, strength and speed.

Develop athletics-specific skills and fitness.

Further integrate physical, mental, cognitive and emotional aspects, which support performance.

12 hours per week training, with 4-7 sessions out of which 3-5 sessions event specific.

Train to Compete Stage Age: 16 – 23(M) & 15 – 22(F)

Optimize fitness, individual skills and performance.

High intensity individual and event specific training.

Sports skills performed under competitive conditions

Train to Win Stage-Age: 19+(M) & 18+(F)

Maximise fitness, individual skills & performance.

Train to peak for major competitions and perform when it counts.

Only the very best and most dedicated reach this stage.

Active for Life
  • This transition usually occurs after the Learning to Train stage or after retirement from competitive sports. 
  • Healthy life-long physical activity.
  • May engage in sports coaching, mentoring, administration or officiating.
  • Creates a healthy next generation. 
LTAD Framework

Why we need a Long Term Athlete Development plan?

The current emphasis on outcome (winning) as opposed to process (skill development) is seen as a setback in the sports system. Such practices may lead to one-sided preparation, early burn out and lost potential or over-training. 

Short comings in the current system include;

The development and implementation of an LTAD plan will enable introducing young athletes to fundamental motor skills at an early stage. This provides them with the opportunity to perfect their skills before demanding competitive schedules are introduced and winning becomes an important training outcome. The concept of “Optimal Windows of Trainability ” is integrated during which training produces the greatest benefit to each player’s long-term development.