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What is ADM?

The structure of our hockey system in Illinois is one that has just evolved over time. This structure was not planned, and through this evolutionary process certain counterproductive elements have crept into our system.

Current research on long-term athlete development has brought to light critical areas that our system is neglecting at a very early age. As children mature they each progress through the same developmental stages and certain aspects of these stages must be addressed at the appropriate points along the developmental curve in order to reach their genetic potential. Without developing skills and certain physical and mental attributes during the windows of optimal trainability, the long-term prospects of becoming a truly elite player are diminished.

Long-term athlete development (LTAD) is a framework for athlete development in sport that can be used as a basis on which to ‘re-align,’ or make more consistent, our existing systems and structures. It has been developed by Istvan Balyi, an internationally recognized coach educator, and is based upon a consensus of evidenced research about how young people develop their maximum sporting ability, linking more closely the coaching and development of players to their physical and psychological growth.

It should be recognized that the LTAD principles are not new. The majority of research on which the principles are based is widely accepted, and has been used to underpin physical education teaching for many years. The LTAD principles bring a mechanism for applying the theory to better integrate our whole hockey development system (i.e. coaching, training, playing, competition, etc.). It is also important that we understand that the LTAD principles have been developed and implemented by over 100 sports and federations around the world.

USA Hockey is introducing the American Development Model, a structure that includes a high performance club component that is an extension of USA Hockey’s highly successful National Team Development Program. The American Development Model is based on current sports science and LTAD principles. The Amateur Hockey Association Illinois (AHAI) has also adopted these principles and is implementing the first element of this program for the 8 & Under age category.

The American Development Model integrates training, competition and recovery programming with relation to biological development and maturation (as opposed to current chronological age). It offers equal opportunity fo recreation and competition.It is participant/athlete centered, coach driven, and parents, officials, administration, sport medicine & sport science supported.

We hope you will embrace the LTAD principles within your club/team as we continue to provide an environment for our young athletes that is both FUN and allows each individual to develop his/her skills to their greatest potential.