Development Plan

Concept

A development plan is a strategic roadmap outlining an athlete’s current abilities and targeted landmarks for improvement within a specified timeframe.
It is based on the initial analysis derived from the performance profile.
The plan is designed to leverage strengths while concurrently improving weaknesses in an athlete’s performance.

Structure

Comprehensive development plans should ideally encompass physical, technical, psychological, and tactical aspects of sports performance.
It is structured around SMART targets - specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.
Interventions and practices should be quantifiably linked to SMART targets.
The timescale is integral, encompassing short, medium, and long-term goals.

Process

Identify priorities based on the performance profile. Focus initially on key areas that will yield the most significant impact.
Set goals by identifying what the athlete needs to improve and where they want to be at the end of the set period.
Action planning includes specific approaches to achieving goals, focusing on training strategies, skills to be attained, and behavioural changes if needed.
The plan should be flexible to adapt to the athlete’s progress, extrinsic factors such as injuries, and other unexpected changes.
Should envisage resources required for the execution of the plan. Build in support from coaches, peers, and other resources or interventions if required.

Evaluation

Regular reviews allow for evaluating progress towards achieving the set goals.
It encourages reflection on what strategies are working, what aren’t and what might need changing.
Comparing current performance with previous profiles aids in understanding the impact of the development plan.

Benefits

Development plans guide the athlete’s training focus and help manage progression.
The structure offered by plan creates a sense of accountability leading to consistency in training and improvement.
They foster self-awareness, enabling athletes to become autonomous and take ownership of their performance.
They ensure that all aspects of performance are monitored, and no area is neglected.

A well-structured development plan aligned with a robust performance profile is instrumental in honing skills, improving performance, and achieving excellence. It is a dynamic guide that aids both the athlete and the coach in managing the journey of continuous development and growth in sport.