LTPD and a great Manager

LTPD

Today I want to chat about Long Term Player Development. This has to ne a god thing as long as it is not just performance focused. Many LTPD plans are focused on performance and goals not on holistic player development. Too many coaches don’t see LTPD as part of there remit when they should.

Alex Fergusson the Manchester United Manager is an excellent LTPD coach. HE has player from 12 and many he takes to the pinnacle of their careers. Often the relationship only stops when one or two conditions are meet.

1.The player fails to maintain the standards Fergusson sets for off field and private life activities. E.g. David Beckham

2. The player is given a choice by Fergusson, you can play as a squad member with limited starts or as you are still a good player move clubs to play as a first choice.

Fergusson will blood a younger player and then remove them form the first team to build on their weaknesses, as he did with player like Wes Brown, he also allows for injuries and drops in performance as he did with Alan Smith and Ben Foster.

Fergusson plays the short game – season by season but has long plans 4 – 8 years for his future teams – he is on his 4th rotation of teams over 20 years – that is Long term Player devlopment. But Fergusson has gives his players exit strategies.

They hit 30 – 35 and they are already working towards coaching awards – look at the number of ex- Manchester United Players now managing in the premiership who all were put on the ladder by Fergusson. Ryan Giggs is the current older player moving on this path.

Now does this relate to Judo.....to me it is about a whole player – I have a student who is currently getting points for his Black Belt, once he get it he will slack off his judo because of exams – but in the next year he will do a coaching award.

So many times we see elite level athletes’ who get injury and leave the sport because the LTPD is focused on performance, at places like Bath the Elite players do degrees laying the foundation of the exit strategy. The problem is Judo like many sports is focused on the Olympic cycle if you might be too old you are out, a dip in form you are out. A true LTPD programme should support during injuries and help develop suitable exit strategies for players.

SO I think:

1. Every player recreational or performance should have an LTPD plan
2. It should reflect the needs and desires of the player.
3. The exit and contingency strategies are as important as the goals and time scales.
4. Coaches should be judged not just on immediate results but there LTPD.

Your thoughts are appreciated.

Have a good day.

Marc