PaceSetter Book

The Concept of Pacesetter 1

1.1 Philosophy & Ethics

The aim of IFTA is: ‘To develop young people socially and physically through the introduction of athletics in a fun environment.’ WEB COPY ©EVEQUE ‘To deve op young eople socially and physically through the introduction of athletics in a fun environment.’ The Olympics and other major championships inspire thousands of young athletes to engage in sport. It is therefore essential that these young athletes are welcomed and continually encouraged to participate from the outset. If this encouragement does not occur then they may be lost to our sport and to other sports forever and therefore have a much less healthy lifestyle. They could also lose interest if the content of the activity sessions are inappropriate. Therefore to maintain the young athletes’ enthusiasm, the activities that are provided should be full of enjoyment and fun. Pacesetter – Working with Young Athletes will act as a guide and provide assistance in making athletics attractive to young athletes aged 8–13 years. It is important that young athletes are encouraged and educated to learn from play and games activities and not through intensive training regimes. Whilst recognising that most young athletes enjoy competitive activities, competition should be limited and the emphasis placed on assertion and not aggression, it should not be the intention to produce individual champions in these young age groups, but rather to protect and guide the young athletes to sustain their interest until they are older. Young athletes from the under 13 years age group are in the skill hungry years, where good habits and sound techniques should be honed in all areas of athletic disciplines. It is therefore essential that experienced coaches as well as novice coaches work with the younger athletes. If talented young athletes under 13 years old are specifically trained for an event it is a recognised fact that they can make dramatic improvements but this must be kept in perspective. Many factors will contribute to a young athlete’s ability and account must be taken of the spurt in growth and the large variance in height and strength associated with physical development and body change. It is most important that those leading a group of young athletes in sporting activities have a sound awareness of these matters and a sympathetic approach. For many of these reasons, a talented young athlete at the age of 11 years or 12 years may not be the champion of the future. A child is neither a smaller version of a senior athlete nor a smaller version of a teenager and therefore formal athletics training should not begin until the early teens. The basics of running, jumping and throwing can be taught to the young athletes aged 8–13 years if the events are appropriately modified for them. Young athletes should be encouraged to develop all-round skills rather than pressurised into specialising in one event. WEB COPY ©EVEQUE

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