Talent ID report Essay Example for Free

Talent ID report Essay Report The talent identification programme for cricket is a long programme that identifies talented athletes from the ages 6-18+. It is a structured and detailed programme that breaks down in to five stages that athletes will be identified to have potential for elite success in. The stages are fundamentals, learning to Train, Training to Train, Training to compete, and Training to Win. Fundamentals This is the first stage, where talent is identified at the ages of 6-9(boys) and 6-8(girls). This stage is seen as the developmental stage, which aims to identify and provide young performers with the overall athletic skills in addition to a introduction to basic throwing, catching and striking skills. This stage uses drills involving Agility, co-ordination, and balance, speed, throwing, striking and catching. Also the approach towards these sessions is very personal, and about the game. The first stage is performed in a fun environment, performing drills and other sporting activities. This stage is very beneficial because it identifies talented athletes at a young age. This is an advantage as being able to identify at a young age means that, they can be nurtured and moulded into a successful athlete. The youth that are selected for this programme show the ABCs specific movement skills(agility, balance, coordination, speed, striking ,catching and throwing) and are selected by coaches as they are watched performing, by coaches. This is an early stage in talent identification, and only those athletes that show the charisma are selected at this stage for further development. This can be slightly stressful, especially as the athletes are quite young, and are still developing, physically and mentally. Also it can ruin confidence of some youths, however overall this stage is quite selective and only few people are selected at this stage, as the level of performance that is required is evident when selecting the players. Commonly, like most of the stages the players are also recorded, in games or drills, without them being too aroused by it, so that they can perform in full confidence and in a stress free situation. This is a good way of making the assessment as at the age that they athletes are its not advisable to cause them, such a heavy pressure or burden and also if they have the charisma, it will be evident in natural, drills and games. An example of a cricketer that was founded at this stage is the great Sachin Tendulkar, who has gone on to become an icon in cricket and is commonly called the little master. Learning to train This is the second stage that identifies talent at the age 9-12(boys) and 8-11 (girls). Again similarly to the fundamentals stage it looks at the basic sport skills that athletes may have. The aim of identifying talents at this stage and at this age is to get athletes that can develop their movements associated with batting bowling, fielding and wicket keeping. Furthermore developing overall athletic skills they have. Coaches that are assessing young talents at this stage are looking for athletes that again show the charisma, alongside key components such as strength flexibility and speed. They asses the players again through observation of performance and ability. And on selection they are introduces to the skills in more specificity. They will look at the techniques and movements of performing the specific skills, (batting bowling ECT) along side will be introduced to training programmes that emphasise on the shoulders, elbow, spine, core, and ankle stability. Further more psychological skills will also be introduced near the end of stage. This is very similar to the first stage and is still about developing talent and nurturing their techniques and the way they approach the game. This is very influential stage and has positive effects on the athletes as they are more likely to listen and undertake the desired and appropriate approach towards performing the different skills. Never the less this stage can again be to early for some of the athletes that might show the ability however they might not be mature enough to carry and understand the principles of this stage in the talent identification. Training to Train This is the third stage, and is aimed towards 11-16(boys) 11-15(girls). It is a progression to the previous stage and aims to create further development on specifics skills and physical condition for the game. This stage is where it is more common for player to be identified as they are at a suitable age, and their abilities and talent is easier to indentify and work with. It is also a favoured stage by many coaches to identify talent as it is the stage where players have to focus on the physical and mental requirements. This stage of the development programme looks to increase technical work, for example on the front foot, and back foot playing bother attacking and defensive shots; and for bowlers pace and spin techniques are enhanced. Also overall team work and team fielding and working as a team is emphasised on. This stage differs from the other to as the age difference is higher and therefore the training toll is also at increased intensity and this is the stage where the athletes are introduced to fitness tests which are established to benchmark and monitor development. Athletes also have to keep positive attitudes and this is reinforced on and off the pitch. This stage is an important stage and very lucrative for the game as this is where most emerging cricketers are established. This stage of the development programme prepares them for the transaction to performing at a high level, and introduces and conditions them. However on the flip side the only problem with this stage is that the training must be carried out depending on each players PHV, which is the peak height velocity, which is also known as a growth spurt. This can be a set back as each individual has different time when they grow and mature, and if training is done before this it can have detrimental effects. Training to compete This is the third stage, which is aimed for 16-18 (men), 15-17 (women). This stage is a progression from the previous stage. However it is slightly different as it mainly aims to enhance game awareness and competitive development. The key principle in this stage is to create the optimum environment, so that the athletes learn the importance of independence and their responsibility. Also this stage looks to develop and concentrate on athletes technical and tactical skills that they use in game competitive situations, replicating the opportunity to make key decisions and making judgements. This stage also looks at lifestyle advice and support including managing tour, financial advice, career advice and education support. This is an important stage of talent identification for aspiring talent because it is the step that begins to prepare them for performance at high standards. This stage involves many drills and training sessions, which will enhance the players confidence alongside his ability to delivery constantly at the high levels that they have shown. Athletes will benefit from this stage as they will gain help in how to lead their lifestyle which will be changing as they make the transition to elite levels. Nevertheless this stage could be more specific, and personal to the players needs as each player might have different weaknesses. Training to win This is the third stage which is targeted for 18+ (men) 17 + (women). This is the stage where the maintenance of physical capacities and development of elite performer attributes is concentrated on by maintaining the right environment. This stage is also all about individualised training programmes and dependant on specific needs associated within the game. Athletes at this stage will look and concentrate mainly on team dynamics and will learn the importance of planning brakes to avoid burn outs and injuries. This is the final stage of development before players perform at elite levels therefore there are remedial support on fine technical work. This stage is very important and the advice on how to handle the change in lifestyle and the work on team dynamics is very lucrative for the athletes as these are main areas in which the game will differ from amateur to professional levels. Also the remedial session will also be beneficial as it will help boost confidence and just make sure that the players are totally ready for the transition. However on the other hand this may also backfire and by having remedial sessions, create more pressure and ruin the confidence of athletes but it is more dependent on the individuals preference and how the they react to the support. This is how the talent identification programme for cricket is structured. It is structured in such a way, as it covers a wide range of ages. Cricket is among many racket sports that involve perfection in technique, and therefore finding qualities in talent at young ages is very beneficial for the sport as it makes it earlier to teach, train and create a professional player. This approach is used as younger you are the more you will adapt, where as you get older you will not be able to adapt, as you get set in your own comfort zone. This is why having a set up that works through the ages, determining that they are moulding into the game is vital However the length of the programme and different stages can over complicate the process of being prepared to play at elite level. This may affect the athletes as they wont get the best advice and training that they might need. The talent identification programme for cricket is run by the English cricket board, however it is down to the coaches/ ex players who are allocated to counties across the country to recognise the talent and put them onto the development scheme. Players are commonly scouted and given these opportunities by being recognised at a club, or district level. It is common that through club matches, in large competitions, selectors may come down to watch the game. However it is also likely team managers and coaches get in touch with selectors as they also have a responsibility in finding young talent. The process of being selected to perform in talent development programmes means that once you have been recognised, you must have to perform your skills whilst being recorded. This can be done in a game situation, or done by training at indoor or outdoor net sessions. Players are recorded in this manor so that there is evidence of their ability. This is then analysed by the talent identification selectors who then will most likely come and watch the player perform. When selectors come to watch the players perform the normally have a check list of attributes that they are looking for in player. (Attachment sheet) This checklist normally states sets of questions under each skill they will be observing. They will also record them when they watch them so that they can double check their progress, and ensure that the player posses all the qualities. The approach of recording the players is taken as it gives the assessors evidence along side with more accuracy in when they make their verdict. The selectors use the videos to slow motion, and break down a players technique to ensure that they possess a sound technique. This is also beneficial for the player as it can help them see how they perform, in the eyes of others and give them inspiration and motivate them to improve little parts of their game. The manner in which players are selected is a quite a good strategy as it can be clear and easy to asses, alongside being beneficial for the performer. It can be beneficial to the performer as it can help them and their coaches pin point any weakness, and work on them if the selectors reject instead of getting demoralised. Also it having evidence of a recording alongside being watched means that there is benefit of doubt and evidence of you performing the skills properly, as anyone can have a bad game. It can also ease nerves. Never the less it can also have the opposite affect and create extended pressure on the athlete and make them underperform. This is rare as an attribute in cricket is to handle and play in pressuring and high intensity situations. Fitness is also tested once a player is selected. This is done by a series of fitness tests such as the multistage bleep test, 30metre sprints, one rep max , hand grip dynamiter ect These fitness tests are carried out as it gives the selectors information about the players fitness. Selectors will give different players different fitness tests depending on their role in a team; however the general components that everyone must pass are the bleep, 30 metre sprint, and one rep max. This fitness test must be passes as these are the test that measures the essential and most vital fitness components required for the sport. This talent identification programme will have a positive effect on cricket as it will enhance the quality and support that upcoming cricketers are receiving which will make the future of the sport brighter. Developing the young talent will give the sport a good name which will also lead to enhanced participation. This is good for the sport as it means that it will become better known and more money will be put into the sport which means the sports facilities are improved. Another advantage of this programme in the current environment is that it can give employment opportunities to coaches, as this programme spreads around the country. Furthermore the advantages from guiding the upcoming talent will mean that the country will produce a stronger clan of cricketers who can represent the country at world events and can contribute in making the countries team the worlds best team. It will also mean the quality of cricket, and ethics of the game that have been passed down through the years will still be present in the future games. This programme has a strong foundation, and is well structured which indicates that it is more than likely to be a successful in being able to find and develop the countries cricket and help produce new, world class cricketers. This can be ensured are the programmes is critically structured, so that it identifies talents at all age groups and trains the players selected in a large variety of manners so that they are conditioned. However it can also be noted that this programme will be a long process and it can create false hope to the talents that maybe selected as the programme can be seen to be slightly over critical. This means that many of the athletes that are selected may not succeed in performing in the highest levels as they might not be prepared or ready at the time to meet the demands of the different stages, but it does leave them with experience and give them more of a chance than those that havent been selected to make it to the highest podium of performance. On the whole this talent identification programme can be viewed as a potential success in meeting the aims of finding excelling talent in cricket and providing them a developing foundation from which they can grow into good cricketers. This can be proven by the depth of the programme and how it offers something unique and lucrative at each stage of the development. Never the less the programme is slightly long, and the calibre to which it has been created might be slightly too expensive to fund, as it will take a lot of money, and resources.