The ideal training schedule varies significantly depending on the athlete’s age, developmental stage, and sport. Here’s a general guideline:

Ages 6-10 (Early Childhood)

Focus on fun and fundamental movement skills. This age group should participate in a variety of activities to develop coordination, balance, and agility. Training sessions should be short (30-60 minutes) and emphasize play and enjoyment. Limit intense, structured training and avoid specialization in a single sport.

Ages 11-14 (Middle Childhood/Early Adolescence)

Introduce more structured training, but still prioritize skill development and enjoyment. This is a crucial period for developing sport-specific skills and physical literacy. Training sessions can be longer (60-90 minutes), and athletes can begin to specialize in one or two sports. Emphasize proper technique!

Ages 15-18 (Adolescence)

This age group can handle more intense and specialized training. Focus on refining sport-specific skills, developing strength and conditioning, and preparing for competition. Training sessions can be longer, and athletes can engage in more frequent training. Monitor for signs of overtraining and prioritize recovery.

Ages 18+ (Adulthood)

Training schedules should be tailored to individual goals and competitive levels. Athletes can engage in high-intensity training and specialize in their chosen sport. Prioritize recovery and injury prevention to maintain long-term performance.

To learn more about how coaches are evaluated, which includes their understanding of age-appropriate training, visit this article: How do you evaluate coaches?