Talent Development: The Three Pillars of Athletic Success

We’re all chasing our own unique version of glory

Youth sports inevitably begins as a pursuit of something: Scholarships, fame, leadership skills, a competitive environment, teamwork, fortune, a legacy. Some of these reasons are great. Some…not so great. Everyone will have different goals.

Regardless of the underlying motivation, all young athletes (and most of their parents) dream of athletic success. For kids, it often arrives via enchanted visions of hoisting a championship above their heads. For parents; the overwhelming cathartic feeling of watching a child make them proud.

Everyone thinks about athletic glory. It’s no secret, is nothing to be ashamed of, and not worth denying. But in the process of striving for athletic success, have you stopped to ask if you know which path to take? A doctor goes to medical school, a plumber apprentices with a master plumber to learn the craft. But how does an athlete reach the biggest stage?

Creating Champions: As easy as abstract algebra

The answer, unfortunately, is that we still don’t know. And unless you’re one of the countless ‘experts’ selling magic beans to overeager parents, there’s no shame in the answer that there is no one right path. No single path to take.

Despite the marketing, the abundance of ‘elite’ coaches, and the specialized sports schools, we don’t have the answer. If we did, the magic formula would long ago have been bottled and sold. We would have a nation of super-athletes destined for glory from the womb, immune to injuries and setbacks; an army of super-athletes.

What is known about developing elite athletes is rooted in scientific research. And the evidence all points to three ingredients - three foundational pillars that can be traced back in the developmental histories of almost all elite athletes.

Pillar #1: Education

Sharpen your pencils – athletes require their own specialized brand of education

Spend time around elite athletes and you’ll quickly discover that a 4.0 GPA is not required to reach the pinnacle of any sport.

While a formal education is not a requirement for sport performance, an athletic education is mandatory for success. An education focused on mind, body and skill.

Mind: Whether taught formally or informally, top athletes are well acquainted with the concepts of grit, perseverance, motivation, self-regulation, focus and pressure.

Body: As we learn more about honing the human body into a finely-tuned machine, athletes are more responsible than ever for taking care of their own vessel. An understanding of nutrition, strength training and countless recovery techniques is critical to ensure performance occurs at the highest possible level.

Skill: Being a physical specimen (body) with a high level of motivation (mind) means little if you can’t execute a play, anticipate the oppositions’ movements, make good decisions and exhibit a high ‘sports IQ.’ Not good at memorizing details? Good luck to aspiring football players trying to memorize 120 offensive plays per week. Struggle with attention to detail? Maybe the deadly icy turns of bobsleigh aren’t for you.

Pillar #2: Habits

Without good habits, focus and goals, your athletic dreams will quickly be sunk

A habit is an action that is repeatedly practiced, eventually becoming a subconscious routine. These routines and rituals are critical for aspiring athletes, ensuring every moment is utilized to its fully extent with the goal of development in mind.

These habits, routines and rituals are very different from superstitions – unjustified, unhelpful and potentially dangerous actions – like a goalie insisting on being the last off the ice and countless other odd beliefs.

Good habits help develop strong athletes. Bad habits can slow down or destroy athletes. This should not come as a shock, but it is often an overlooked aspect of development. Setting goals for each practice, having specific areas of focus for improvement, having deliberate intentions for every game, daily mobility sessions, practicing proper nutrition. These are the habits that, combined with proper athletic education can powerfully effect development.

Pillar #3: Patience

Step back, gain perspective, and let the journey unfold

The easiest ingredient to understand, the hardest one to practice. Remembering that athletic development requires a great deal of time and patience is a momentous task. It is a long, tedious and unpredictable journey, and we are all guilty of sometimes losing sight of the forest for the trees.

A little perspective is a good slap upside the head reminder that the best athletes at age 6 are often not the best at 12, nor the best at 16, 18, or even 20. Just google the careers of former sure-fire hockey prodigies Mitchell Davis or Pierre Dupuis. There will always be victories and defeats along the way. Stay true to the journey, focusing on athletic education and good habits, then sit back and embrace the inevitable highs and lows.

Wrapping-Up

Developing an all-star, champion or prodigy is an almost insurmountable challenge with no guarantee of success. Staying true to the three ingredients of athletic education, good habits and patience will set-up your child for success, both in sport, and in life.

Yours in development,

Dr. Jason Izraelski