Be an Elite Coach, Build Elite Athletes

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By Isaac Leung, Athletic Skills

Hey reader,

Today I speak about an important topic that I am sure you can relate to as a coach or a parent if you have children.

Growth Spurts are a key phase in all youth athletes so how can you navigate this to keep them safe and redirect their development back on track?

See below for all my tips on this!

Be an Elite Coach:

Navigating Growth Spurts: Coaching the Adolescent Athlete

As coaches, we’ve all experienced that moment when one of our athletes returns after a summer break and looks like a different person. Suddenly, they're moving awkwardly, and it’s like teaching them all over again. Sound familiar? This is a classic sign of a growth spurt, a period of rapid physical change that affects more than just height.

Growth spurts are common in athletes aged 12-16 and play a huge role in their overall development. But with these changes come new challenges in coordination, strength, and even emotional stability. So how do we, as coaches, adapt to help these young athletes?

Key Considerations for Coaches:

1. Injury Factors

When bones grow faster than muscles and tendons, athletes may face imbalances, making them more prone to injuries. Keep an eye on any signs of discomfort or overuse.

2. Motor Control / Coordination

Ever heard the phrase "Bambi on ice"? As their bodies grow, their limbs lengthen and height increases, making coordination a challenge. Focus on balance and coordination exercises to help them adjust.

3. Adjusting Workloads

Growing bones and joints are under extra stress, so be ready to adjust the intensity and frequency of training sessions to prevent overloading their bodies.

4. Emotional Changes

Growth spurts come with hormonal changes, often leading to mood swings or frustration. Be patient and offer encouragement as they navigate this challenging period.

5. Education

Both athletes and their parents need to understand what’s happening. Keeping expectations realistic will make the transition smoother for everyone. Don’t forget to explain the changes to your athletes too—they’ll appreciate knowing why they feel different.

Build Elite Athletes:

Coaching During Growth Spurts: How to Manage Safely and Effectively

So, how can you ensure your athletes are safely managed during a growth spurt, and how can you help them move like they used to—while maximizing their new physical capabilities? Here are some practical strategies:

1. Monitor Closely

Tracking growth spurts is essential. Using objective data helps you spot those going through these changes early. Below, we’ll outline how to monitor this effectively!

2. Be Patient, Educate, and Communicate

Growth spurts can be frustrating for athletes. Make sure to educate them (and their parents) about what's happening, and maintain open communication with them and other coaches to ensure everyone is on the same page.

3. Reassess Athlete Evaluation

When evaluating athletes, be mindful of those going through growth spurts. Their performance may temporarily dip due to changes in coordination and strength, so adjust your expectations accordingly.

4. Re-Teach Fundamental Movements

Growth spurts often throw off coordination. Take the time to revisit basic movement skills—running, jumping, landing, and balancing—to help them regain control over their new, longer limbs.

5. Focus on Strength and Stability

Rapid growth can create imbalances between muscles, bones, and tendons. Incorporate strength and stability exercises to correct these issues and prevent injuries.

Monitoring Growth Spurts: What You Need to Know

Recognising when your athletes are in a growth spurt is crucial. Here’s how you can monitor them effectively:

• Peak Height Velocity (PHV): PHV, the period of fastest growth, occurs around age 11 for females and 13 for males.

• Growth Rates: On average, boys experience a growth spurt of around 8.3 cm per year, while girls grow approximately 7.8 cm per year during this period.

• Measuring Height: Use a stadiometer to regularly measure your athletes' height, ideally every few months or at least twice a year.

• Growth Charts: Create a growth chart to track each athlete’s height over time. This will help you identify periods of accelerated growth more easily.

Going Back to Basics: Rebuilding Movement Skills

During a growth spurt, your athletes may feel like they’ve forgotten how to move. This is the time to go back to basics. Re-teach fundamental movements such as:

• Running

• Jumping

• Landing

• Striking

• Throwing

• Crawling

• Balancing

The more you reinforce these foundational skills, the easier it will be for athletes to regain their coordination and build new skills safely. Once these basics are restored, your athletes will be more resilient and better prepared to handle the increasing demands of their sport.

By following these steps, you can help your athletes adapt to their growth spurts, regain their coordination, and unlock their potential with their new physical abilities!

If you’re looking for more insights on managing athletes during growth spurts or need specific training advice, reach out to me by replying here!

Speak soon!

Isaac 🙂 

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