The Long-Term Development (LTD) model is an approach designed to maximize each participant’s potential and involvement in the sport of squash. The LTD framework helps players reach their full potential by defining optimal training, competition and recovery throughout their careers. At the same time, it helps them to pursue lifelong participation in all healthy activities. For more details visit Sport for Life.
“Beyond the Nick” is squash’s adaptation of Sport for Life, a movement to increase the profile of sport in Canadian society. It recognizes the importance of sport from childhood through adulthood, and promotes healthy development by teaching physical skills that will help achieve healthy, life-long sporting success. To download the manual – Click Here
Squash Today and Tomorrow
Today, Canadian squash is thriving. Tens of thousands of recreational players enjoy the sport across the country and dozens of high performance athletes successfully compete in the international arena. But what about tomorrow? LTD is about securing our place in the game long into the future, at the recreational level and in the high performance ranks.
The Importance of “Beyond the Nick”
The introduction of LTD is an important leap forward. Guidelines for training, competition and recovery are based on the science of human maturation and proven best practices in coaching. LTD is positioned to promote physical literacy and the growth of squash in Canada. It will help our sport to thrive by encouraging participation by all Canadians across the country. In the coming decades, it will also help Canadian players consistently reach the podium at international competition.
8 Stages of Long-Term Development
Long-Term Development identifies eight basic stages in player development from childhood to adulthood based on the physical, mental, emotional and social maturation of the individual.
- Awareness and First Involvement: In Awareness, prospective participants and leaders are informed of the range of activities available and how they can take part. First involvement refers to the first experiences participants have in sport
- Active Start for males and females from 0-6 years of age
- FUNdamentals for males 6–9 and females from 6–8 (1–2 training years)
- Learning to Train for males 9–12 and females from 8–11 (2–3 training years)
- Training to Train (growth rate dependent) for males 12–16 and females from 11–15 (3–6 training years)
- Training to Compete males approximately 16–23+/females 15–21+/(5–8 training years)
- Training to Win for males 19 +/females 18 +/(8–10 training years)
- Active for Life – entry at any level
Each stage specifies proper formats for game play, preferred training methods and targets for the player.
For full details visit Sport for Life.