Jenna Efford (Left) & Marc-André Craig (Right) in Newfoundland practicing before Newfoundland Sectional championships.

Continuing from my last post, I’m shifting gears for Part 2. This time, the focus is on the coaches. I want to split the coaches’ section into two parts. In this first post, I’ll dive into the research behind my theories and how these layers influence an athlete’s development. In the next post, I’ll break it down into a practical list of tips—things I believe will help coaches better support their athletes.

My goal is to bridge the gap between support and understanding, fostering a stronger connection between athletes and those who guide them every step of the way.

I was inspired to create this blog series after coming across a recent post by Jon Beck, which has been widely shared by many coaches in my circle. His message resonated deeply and raised an important question, “what is the right way.”

He wrote:

“Parents: your kids have a .000001% chance of playing a profesional sport. Yet through sports done the right way, your kids have 100% chance of building resiliency learning life lessons, developing relationships & gaining confidence. sports done the right way are the ultimate teacher.” - Jon Beck (@coachjonbeck)

Some may have picked up on it, while others may not, but my last post was inspired by Bronfenbrenner’s Theory. For coaches, I’m diving deeper into what this really means and how it applies to your role. I’ll also be incorporating a valuable template I learned through my coaching certification to provide practical strategies you can apply in your own coaching journey and help your athletes.

Bronfenbrenner’s Theory

**“defines complex “layers” of environment, each having an effect on a child's development**.” - Urie Bronfenbrenner (1917-2005)

Bronfenbrenner’s Theory Related to Sport:

Imagine an athlete’s journey as a big, interconnected web—with different layers shaping their experience, both on and off the field (or ice, court, track—you get it!). That’s the heart of Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, a classic psychology concept that I’ve flipped into a sport-specific model.

Think of it like this:

Microsystem – The athlete’s inner circle: coaches, teammates, guardians, training facilities. These are the biggest daily influences on their performance and mindset.

Mesosystem – The connections between those influences. How well does a coach communicate with a guardian? Does a team’s culture build confidence or create pressure? These interactions matter!

Exosystem – The behind-the-scenes stuff that still impacts an athlete, even if they’re not directly involved. Think club policies, sport organizations, or funding opportunities (or lack thereof).

Macrosystem – The big picture: cultural values, societal expectations, and the ever-evolving world of sports. From Olympic dreams to grassroots programs, this shapes an athlete’s reality.

Chronosystem – The time factor: transitions, setbacks, breakthroughs—every experience over the years that molds an athlete’s journey.

By looking at an athlete’s development through this layered approach, we can see just how many moving parts affect their success. And as coaches, understanding these layers helps us build an environment that fosters not just performance, but growth, confidence, and longevity in sport.

Coaching is more than just running drills—it’s a commitment to mentorship and long-term athlete development. No matter your level of coaching, it’s essential to research, learn, and pursue ongoing education to show up fully for your athletes. These kids look up to you as a mentor, and that comes with responsibility.

If you're not willing to put in the work to grow and adapt, you shouldn’t be coaching. Being a coach means wearing many hats, and it’s hard work—but the impact you have on your athletes' lives makes it all worthwhile.

That being said, regardless of your level as a coach or skater, integrating the Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model into your approach is essential. It should be a fundamental tool in your coaching toolbox, guiding athletes toward sustainable growth and success. It’s important to identify what stage each of your athletes are in—yes, it may seem like a lot of work, but that’s why collaboration with a team is crucial.

Long Term Athletic Development (LADT) Model

**“a framework that helps athletes develop their physical, mental, and emotional skills over time**. It's based on the idea that athletes should participate in physical activity throughout their lives.” - Istvan Balyi (Published 2001)

Long Term Athletic Development (LATD) Model:

Stage 1: Active Start Stage

Goal:

To create an enjoyable and engaging experience with play and physical activity, making it a vital part of everyday life at every stage.

Stage 2: Fundamental Stage

Goal:

Introduce and develop agility, balance, coordination, and speed (ABC’s).

Reinforce the value of daily play and physical activity as a key part of a healthy lifestyle.

Stage 3: Learn To Train Stage

Goal:

Further refine agility, balance, coordination, and speed (ABC’s) to build a strong foundation in sports skills.
Introduce a well-structured program that incorporates physical, mental, cognitive, and emotional development.
Foster physical literacy for overall movement competence and confidence.

Stage 4: Training To Train Stage

Goals:

Build endurance, strength, and speed for overall physical development.
Enhance sport-specific skills and fitness tailored to athletic performance.

Stage 5: Learning To Compete

Goal:

Focus on physical preparation specific to the event.
Introduce event-specific strategies to assess strengths and areas for improvement.
Establish specialization in the event area.
Incorporate physical, mental, cognitive, and emotional development into the training process.

Stage 6: Training To Compete

Goals:

Maximize event-specific preparation for optimal competition readiness.
Further refine specialization in the event area.
Continue integrating physical, mental, cognitive, and emotional growth.
Perform event-specific assessments and tracking.

Stage 7: Training to Win

Goals:

Optimize event-specific preparation to achieve peak performance results.
Establish a formal Performance Enhancement Team.
Continue integrating physical, mental, cognitive, and emotional growth.
Develop the ability to perform under pressure during crucial competitions.

Stage 8: Winning For Living (LIFE BEYOND SPORT)

Goals:

Optimize event-specific preparation for success at the Olympic and World level.

Fully leverage training, competition, and recovery practices to support a professional athletic career.
Achieve consistent performance in key competitive moments.
Collaborate with a professional support team.
Strategize for a successful transition out of competitive athletics.!!!! ( A LOT OF COACHES FORGET THIS ONE)

I want you coaches to fully grasp these two key concepts and consider how you can integrate them into your coaching toolbox. Next week, we’ll revisit these ideas, and I’ll share 10 actionable tips and my thoughts on how to effectively implement them.

And I can’t stress this enough—coaches, stick to your lane of certification. You are not expected to be everything or give advice outside of your qualifications, such as in areas like psychology or nutrition. That’s why we work as part of a team with other qualified professionals to ensure athletes get the best support across all areas.

See you next week to talk further!!