AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT MODEL
USA TAEKWONDO
USATKD AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT MODEL
The USA Taekwondo American Development Model is a roadmap to help athletes grow, have fun, and reach their full potential in the sport. It's all about creating a positive experience and focusing on each athlete's unique journey. Developed by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and National Governing Bodies of sport, the American Development Model aims to apply long-term athlete development principles in a way that fits the American sports culture. The main goal is to ensure that all American athletes have a great time at every level of their sporting journey. This guideline is here to help key influencers build and deliver programs that prioritize each athlete's development stage.
STAGES OF TAEKWONDO'S AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT MODEL#
Discover the American Development Model: a helpful guide for taekwondo athletes as they progress through six stages, focusing on key concepts to enhance their skills and overall experience in the sport.
DISCOVERY STAGE
An athlete has decided to try the great sport of Taekwondo. The initial exposure should focus on fun, engagement, physical literacy and basics of learning to learn.
- Fun and engaging environment. Encourage deliberate play.
- Learn basic rules and sport techniques as well as games to grow in agility, balance, coordination, and functional movement.
- Emphasize practice over competition.
- Introduction to basics of the sport - equipment, safety
- Sample multiple sports through unstructured play.
- Cultivate a passion for sport and active lifestyle.
Note: Athlete progression will be dependent, in part, on goals, commitment and the age at which athletes are introduced to the sport
FUNDAMENTALS STAGE
After the initial exposure, the athlete wants to continue in the sport. The next stage of development in taekwondo should focus on fun, engagement, exploration, physical literacy and athletic base, encouraging multi-sport involvement and fostering a desire to continue to play and improve.
- Develop physical literacy; teaching agility, balance, coordination, and speed
- Multisport, multi-activity focus
- Fun, engaging play
- More taekwondo-related games and drills to teach taekwondo techniques
- Inclusion - anyone at any age can and should be encouraged to participate
Note: Athlete progression will be dependent, in part, on goals, commitment and the age at which athletes are introduced to the sport
DEVELOP STAGE (Learn to Train)
Athlete training evolves into more emphasis on taekwondo-specific tactics, technique and training, but still a continued focus on ABCs (agility, balance, coordination, speed), multisport involvement, exploration and fun; teamwork and sportsmanship are also emphasized.
- More sport-specific training
- Introduction of taekwondo-specific tactics, training and technique
- Develop consistent training habits
- Focus on fine motor skills
- Teamwork - supporting and pushing one another, better together
- Multisport engagement encouraged
- Limited, intentional competition for the purpose of learning and growth, not outcome
Note: Athlete progression will be dependent, in part, on goals, commitment and the age at which athletes are introduced to the sport
OPTIMIZE STAGE (learn to compete)
The athlete enjoys taekwondo and wants to continue to develop and improve, athlete-driven desire for the challenge of competition, more individualized coaching, greater commitment to the sport, focus on competition as an opportunity to learn and improve.
- Learn advanced tactics and techniques
- Taekwondo-specific training
- Needs to be fun, challenging and engaging
- Individualized coaching
- Continued focus on teamwork and sportsmanship
- Growth through competition
- Sport specialization for some
Note: Athlete progression will be dependent, in part, on goals, commitment and the age at which athletes are introduced to the sport
EXCELLENCE & GROWTH STAGE
For some athletes, the pursuit of excellence is the focus; there is a willingness and desire to commit time, effort and energy to achieve results. For others, fun, engagement, social aspects and continued improvement is the focus.
- For some, their goals are a pursuit of excellence and a commitment to maximizing talent
- For others, the focus is on continual improvement and growth socially, physically and mentally
- Understand the motivations of each athlete and adjust training accordingly
Note: Athlete progression will be dependent, in part, on goals, commitment and the age at which athletes are introduced to the sport
TAEKWONDO FOR A LIFETIME
The athlete is “hooked.” Taekwondo is now a lifelong endeavor and the individual may take on many roles within the sport. Older teens and adults who love the sport and want to continue as recreational or competitive athletes may also get involved in other roles within the sport.
- Taekwondo is part of an active lifestyle
- Enjoy the sport and the social aspects of engagement
- Desire to challenge oneself
- Focus on technical training for continued development
- Engagement with the organization as a volunteer, official, coach or mentor
Note: Athlete progression will be dependent, in part, on goals, commitment and the age at which athletes are introduced to the sport
GOALS OF ADM
Discover how USA Taekwondo incorporates the American Development Model to enhance the taekwondo experience. The ADM provides age-appropriate guidelines and curriculum to make learning taekwondo enjoyable, foster a lifelong passion for the sport, and help individuals achieve their taekwondo goals. The ADM focuses on core values such as developmentally appropriate training and competition, multisport or multi-activity participation, fun and engaging learning environments, quality coaching at all age levels, and a focus on development over results, success through personal growth.
- PROMOTE PHYSICAL LITERACY AND ATHLETICISM
- IMPLEMENT DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES & COMPETITIONS
- ENCOURAGE MULTI-SPORT AND ACTIVITY PARTICIPATION
- FOCUS ON ATHELTE-CENTERED ENVIRONMENT (ENGAGEMENT, ENJOYMENT, WELL-BEING AND PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT)
- SUPPORT SUCCESS AND DEVELOPMENT OF ATHLETES
- RETAIN ATHLETES IN THE SPORT OF TAEKWONDO
- PROMOTE TAEKWONDO/PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ACROSS THE LIFESPAN OF THE ATHLETES
- DECREASE OVERUSE INJURIES AND BURNOUT
KEY RESOURCES#
Welcome to the world of youth sports! As a parent or caregiver, ensuring that your child has a positive sports experience is a top priority. Your favorite athlete is no longer a distant figure on TV, but the young athlete you are nurturing at home. These handy Parent Checklists and resources are designed just for you. These checklists provide you with valuable questions to ask your child, yourself, and local programs as you navigate the journey of developing a lifelong athlete. So dive in and explore how you can support your child's athletic journey to ensure a positive and fulfilling experience.
RESOURCES FROM THE ASPEN INSTITUE
Sport for all, Play for Life: A Playbook to Get Every Kid in the Game
Check out these parent Checklists are for you. They distill the ideas embodied in the Aspen Institute’s Seminal Report, Sport for all, Play for Life: A Playbook to Get Every Kid in the Game, into simple 10-point checklists that can be read at a glance.
They include questions you can ask your child, yourself and local programs when considering how to build an athlete for life.
RESOURCES FOR KIDS (Ages 4-12) ACTIVE IN SPORTS
SpiderFIT Kids Articles
SPIDERfit Kids is an organization committed to providing parents and professionals everything they need to inspire kids to become active and athletic for life.
RESOURCES FOR KIDS (Ages 12+) ACTIVE IN SPORTS
SpiderFIT Kids Articles
SPIDERfit Kids is an organization committed to providing parents and professionals everything they need to inspire kids to become active and athletic for life.
RESOURCES FOR KIDS NOT INVOLVED IN SPORTS
Ages 0-5
NOT YET Involved in Sports Programs
Ages 6-12
NOT YET Involved in Sports Programs