Talent IdentificationTalent Identificationoror

Talent Development?Talent Development?

ObjectivesObjectives

Define Talent Identification and Define Talent Identification and Talent DevelopmentTalent Development

List potential implications for Talent List potential implications for Talent programmesprogrammes

Identify the issues surrounding Identify the issues surrounding Talent IDTalent ID

Develop an argument for an against Develop an argument for an against ID or DevelopmentID or Development

The ArgumentThe Argument

Talent Detection and Talent Detection and IdentificationIdentification

ororTalent Development?Talent Development?

The ImplicationsThe Implications

FundingFunding

Resource deploymentResource deployment

Coach / Practitioner educationCoach / Practitioner education

Others?Others?

Potential Predictors of Talent

Sociological

Physical

Physiological

Psychology & Personality

NATURE OR NURTURE?

Detection and IdentificationDetection and Identification GeneticsGenetics

Australian sports scientists have Australian sports scientists have discovered a specific gene linked to discovered a specific gene linked to athletic performanceathletic performance

ACTN-3ACTN-3 2 Types: 2 Types:

predisposed as sprinterspredisposed as sprinters Excellence in endurance sportsExcellence in endurance sports

Miah and Rich (2006)Miah and Rich (2006)

Heritability coefficientsHeritability coefficients

Adapted from Bouchard and Malina Adapted from Bouchard and Malina (1983) and Maes et al (1993)(1983) and Maes et al (1993)

A coefficient of 1 indicates a A coefficient of 1 indicates a total total dependencedependence on genetic factors on genetic factors

0 indicates 0 indicates nono genetic influence genetic influence

AnthropometryAnthropometry

HeightHeight 0.850.85±0.07±0.07

Leg StrengthLeg Strength 0.800.80±0.10±0.10

Height / WeightHeight / Weight 0.530.53±0.19±0.19

SkinfoldsSkinfolds 0.550.55±0.26±0.26

EctomorphyEctomorphy 0.350.35±0.50±0.50

MesomorphyMesomorphy 0.420.42

EndomorphyEndomorphy 0.500.50

PhysiologyPhysiology

VO2 MaxVO2 Max 0.30-0.930.30-0.93

Slow-twitch muscle fibresSlow-twitch muscle fibres 0.55-0.920.55-0.92

Anaerobic powerAnaerobic power 0.44-0.970.44-0.97

Muscle enduranceMuscle endurance 0.22-0.800.22-0.80

Field & Performance testsField & Performance tests

SprintingSprinting 0.45-0.910.45-0.91

JumpingJumping 0.33-0.860.33-0.86

FlexibilityFlexibility 0.69-0.910.69-0.91

BalanceBalance 0.24-0.860.24-0.86

Static StrengthStatic Strength 0.30-0.970.30-0.97

Physiological TestingPhysiological Testing

CostCost Is mass screening possible?Is mass screening possible? Validity?Validity? Reliability?Reliability? Snap shot Snap shot

Needs to be longitudinal / progressiveNeeds to be longitudinal / progressive Would this defy the purpose of talent ID?Would this defy the purpose of talent ID?

Maturation?Maturation?

Breakdown of birth dates for England World Cup Breakdown of birth dates for England World Cup campaign players between 1986 and 1998 campaign players between 1986 and 1998

(Richardson, 1998).(Richardson, 1998).

0

50

100

150

200

250

Sept-Dec Jan-April May-Aug

Time of year born

% o

f p

lay

ers

1998199419901986

World Cup Year

Conclusions & Implications?

TrialsTrials

A method of identifying talentA method of identifying talent AdvantagesAdvantages

Low costsLow costs Low administrationLow administration

DisadvantagesDisadvantages Psychological tensionPsychological tension FamiliarityFamiliarity OverplayOverplay IsolationIsolation EnvironmentEnvironment

Summary: Talent Detection & Summary: Talent Detection & IdentificationIdentification

Compile a summaryCompile a summary One paragraphOne paragraph List the positives associated with talent List the positives associated with talent

Detection and Identification Detection and Identification programmesprogrammes

Identify the potential issuesIdentify the potential issues Discuss in pairsDiscuss in pairs

Talent Development: The CaseTalent Development: The Case Robin Friday – FootballerRobin Friday – Footballer A true storyA true story Should have played for EnglandShould have played for England Played for Reading 135 times (53 goals)Played for Reading 135 times (53 goals) Played for Cardiff 25 times (7 goals)Played for Cardiff 25 times (7 goals) Quit the gameQuit the game Died aged 38 following years of alcohol Died aged 38 following years of alcohol

and drug abuseand drug abuse Troubled, strong-minded & recklessTroubled, strong-minded & reckless

Talent DevelopmentTalent Development

Sociological factorsSociological factors

Family, Friends, Coaches, School teachers Family, Friends, Coaches, School teachers all have the potential to influence talent all have the potential to influence talent

developmentdevelopment

Psychological characteristicsPsychological characteristics

No study in sport has shown No study in sport has shown psychological characteristics to be psychological characteristics to be stable through development period stable through development period (adolescence to adulthood)(adolescence to adulthood)

Morris (2000)Morris (2000)

Use of psychological skills Use of psychological skills discriminates medal and non-medal discriminates medal and non-medal winnerswinners

Gould et al (1992)Gould et al (1992)

The Role of Nature and Nurture in Elite ‘Player’ The Role of Nature and Nurture in Elite ‘Player’ DevelopmentDevelopment

(adapted from Bloom, 1976)(adapted from Bloom, 1976)

Initial Performance Eventual PerformanceProcess

• Motor / Technical• Perceptual / Cognitive• Psychological• Physical• Physiological

• Practice• Coaching / Instruction• Training & Preparation• Familial influences• Resources

NATURE

NURTURE

ConclusionConclusion

Nature (detection / Nature (detection / identification) and identification) and Nurture Nurture (Development) (Development) both contribute to both contribute to Talent productionTalent production

Where should the Where should the focus of Talent focus of Talent programmes lie?programmes lie?

Balancing Act?Balancing Act?

Detection / Identification

Development

Write your own conclusion: Write your own conclusion: Consider both viewpointsConsider both viewpoints

IdentificationIdentification1.1.

2.2.

3.3.

4.4.

5.5.

DevelopmentDevelopment1.1.

2.2.

3.3.

4.4.

5.5.

ReadingReading Abbott, A. and Collins, D. (2004). Eliminating the Abbott, A. and Collins, D. (2004). Eliminating the

dichotomy between theory and practice in talent dichotomy between theory and practice in talent identification: considering the role of psychology. identification: considering the role of psychology. Journal of sports sciences, Journal of sports sciences, 22, 395-408.22, 395-408.

Miah, A. & Rich, E. (2006). Genetic tests for Miah, A. & Rich, E. (2006). Genetic tests for ability?: talent identification and the value of an ability?: talent identification and the value of an open future. open future. Sport, Education and Society, Sport, Education and Society, 11,3,pp259 -273. 11,3,pp259 -273.

Reilly, T., Bangsbo, J. & Franks, A. (2000). Reilly, T., Bangsbo, J. & Franks, A. (2000). Anthropometric and physiological predispositions Anthropometric and physiological predispositions for elite soccer. for elite soccer. Journal of Sports Sciences, Journal of Sports Sciences, 18, 18, 669-683.669-683.