Before Athletics to early Athletics
This page outlines the Author's personal view of activities before the age of 12/13 which help
a child's Athletic capability. This capability could equally be directed towards any pursuit, including Athletics. However, the emphasis of this page is to look at those activities and events which develop the abilities in the direction of Athletics, particularly "Track and Field".
It is currently thought that Young People should not begin to develop in specific Athletic events too early, as bone and muscle development may be altered. Some researchers would also comment that over-development of endurance in Young People would alter the development of the internal organs (Heart, Lungs etc) which would ultimately restrict the development of the Person. Psychologists might comment on the "appropriateness" of competitiveness too young as Children from 3 to 10 tend to co-operate more readily than compete.
Comments are listed by Activity and are not exhaustive, whilst age ranges are approximate:
Gymnastics - the best preparation for young Athletes
From 4-9 and beyond - The pursuit and development of gymnastic skills in all children will greatly assist Athletic capability. This can be followed at club level. Gymnastics clubs in the UK are all run by qualified coaches and will be clear about their aims (whether a competitive club concentrating on its competition squad or a development club where each child is pushed to their optimum and not developed for the club). Most children enjoy Gymnastics and many children will reach a high enough level to develop an early version of "self esteem" and, importantly, "self motivation".
Gymnastics develops the fundamental skills of the child to co-ordinate and move muscle groups to a desired and controlled aim. It is indoor, fun in the early years and supported by an excellent National Organisation (BAGA) which supports is members and provides multi-level training for coaches.
Short Tennis - Transition Tennis - Tennis
From 6 to 9 - Short Tennis is played with small racquets and foam balls on Badminton courts with the net dropped to floor level. The serving and scoring is simplified and it the the LTA's introduction to Tennis for Young people without the need to play outdoors or with heavy equipment. There is National level support, with clubs throughout the UK, Schools, Club, County and Regional competitions. Short Tennis clubs may be associated with Tennis clubs or have contacts with tennis clubs. Many of the better Schools run Short Tennis clubs.
Short tennis leads to Transition Tennis at the age of 9/10 which is Tennis on normal Courts with low pressure balls and slightly different serving and scoring rules. Playing normal Tennis is rapidly achieved by the age of 10-12.
This is one of many sports which develop hand/eye co-ordination, cardiovascular strength, team spirit whilst playing an individual sport and competitive spirit. The only downside to Tennis is that the best Players will be directed to Tennis training around the age of 8 to the near exclusion of other activities.....sadly, mainly by "Pushy Parents".
Tennis is, indeed, an excellent psychological development ground for competitive Athletics as well as aiding the development of social skills. It is strong on rules, etiquette and developing an analytical approach to "achieving". For Athletes and Managers of Club Athletics Teams, this is an essential pre-requisite.
Team Sports such as Rugby and Hockey
Form my observations locally, Rugby and Hockey Clubs have strictly monitored Coaching Skills
in all Clubs with a strong focus on team play, family involvement and skill development.
The net result is that young people develop loyalty and some degree of social skills alongside their sporting skills.
Rugby Players are often selected from the strong young people who can run fast, whilst Hockey develops hand and eye co-ordination along with calve muscles and a fast tactical brain.
Athletics will have to offer these young people fun, enjoyment, a sense of belonging and achievement. They can run alongside each other in the 10-14 year olds, summer and winter sports, whilst the young people make their own minds up. Ensure that your young people are not pigeon holed as it may be stated that "Rugby Players often are strong and good at Shot". Or "Hockey Players make good Hurdlers". All young people should experience all Athletics events.
Rugby and Hockey Clubs have a good sense of belonging and community. They will not lose their good Players lightly. Ensure the Young Person is allowed to decide for themselves.
Team Sports such as Football (Soccer)
....Then there are Team Sports like Football. Until recently anyone could start a Soccer team for Kids and recruit kids from their locality. Now things are changing, although slowly.
Soccer teams will try to hold their Players at all costs, usually. They usually aim for Team results and tend to be centered around the aims of the Club, not the individual Players.
So what does this mean for early development of Athletics capabilities? Usually, they would have worked to the detriment of good Athletics capabilities, unless they have been at the higher levels (District Team, County Team, School of Excellence or Professional Club). There will be notable exceptions.
Individual Players in Football Teams can vary greatly in ability, although the team will be measured on its results. Players are rarely of the level of fitness that Young Athletes have to achieve. Typically strikers are very fast over 20-40 metres but hopeless in a 100 metre race.
There are three highly visible areas where Athletics usually comes as a shock to Footballers:
- There is no hiding place - performance is directly measured to the individual
- The amount of hard work which is involved in the Training to become a reasonable Athlete
- The Stars of Football (Strikers and Keepers) possess skills that are not useful in Athletes.
Football can be a great preparation for young Athletes but young people usually choose Football over Athletics, even when they can compete at a far higher level in Athletics. Strange.
Swimming
Most middle distance coaches will have trained swimmers. Most swimming coaching regimes promotes great aerobic capability and the elite young (12 and below) Athletes can often be swimmers. Some evidence points to certain swimming actions (for example, Breast Stroke 
leg kicks) developing muscles which work against some running actions. Other evidence points towards increased strain on the knee, particularly noticeable of the person suffers from "Schlatters".
However, the aerobic benefit is a definite advantage as long as the Parent and Coach are realistic about the realities of each individual situation.
Undoubtedly, swimming pre-growth spurt is almost always beneficial.
