The Athlete Development Framework identifies the key foundations that underpin long-term potential in the Olympic and Paralympic disciplines, across genders and classes; detailing technique, physical preparation, psychological characteristics and behaviours along with racing and training experiences.
This is a guide of principles; offering a reference point for decision making to help coaches create effective and appropriate learning environments suitable to the needs of their paddlers and the constraints of the environment that they operate within.
Due to the individual nature of the athlete development puzzle, the framework is not designed to provide a ready-made solution to training programmes or problems. There are multiple skills and attributes to develop on the journey to becoming a paddler and people develop at different times and at different rates.
Use of this guidance at a group level will require coaches to consider their training environment, areas of development and motivation for their group as a whole, as well as the ages and stages of development of the individuals.
