The Olympic games and becoming world champion. These are the dreams of many children. Some are self-motivated to train until they reach that pinnacle. Some achieve success by climbing the ladder of athletic exploration rung after rung, all the way to the top of Olympus. Along with this type of achievement there can be lot of honor, status, attention and pride felt by family and friends. At times parents want this success and those ‘rewards’ even more than the child him(her)self. Elite sport is great, but there is often more to lose than to gain.
Own experience
I wouldn’t have wanted to miss my own career as a professional basketball player for the world. It was the perfect route to discover what I’m really good at and what I’m not really good at. Actually, I wasn’t all that talented as a basketball player; some say I had the motor skills of a new born colt. I had a good excuse as I was born purple-faced, with the umbilical cord around my neck. I have always found fine motor skills and balance a challenge. My inner drive and focus brought me from Motor Remedial Teaching to some great championships, 71 international matches on the Dutch National Basketball team (ten of them as captain). Of course, my height (1.96 m) helped a lot, but I made the most of my talent by recognizing and taking advantage of opportunities and I was almost always willing to do more to achieve my best than anyone else in competition.
Every motivated child has the chance to reach the top in a suitable team sport
The great thing about team sports is that there is a role available for everyone with a big enough dose of motivation and ambition. In all sports, however, the motor and technical base appears to be crucial and the tactical and mental attitude only needs to be added at a later age. For a top sports career, aptitude and the early motor stimuli provided by parents are of great influence, but if children only come into contact with a good talent coach in later years, a large bulk of their development has already happened.
You will only see it when you get it
Johan Cruijff
It is fortunate to work with a trainer who has an eye for individual potential, who recognizes the formative sports activity there has already been and understands what is needed to reach the top level in sport. I am a coach who can integrate all of this into patient, careful practice and training, which is the necessaary base of development. I am a trainer who pays attention to the unique interests and needs of a child and is able to recognize and let go of my own interests and projections. A possible outcome is a recommendation that a child consider a more suitable sport, or the suggestion that the child train with a better trainer – all based on talent recognition.
A child is like a fragile gift. You have to unpack it carefully, to see what talent is inside.
Burhan Alibegovic
Take advantage of what I have to offer
Do you recognize examples from top sport and talent development in this description? Do you want a more talent-oriented approach for your sporting children or sports organization? Please contact me for advice, guidance, motor tests, talent recognition trajectory or workshops and courses for parents and trainers.
Coaches take care of your Athletes (John Mayer – Daughters)
…I hope, that you start to see
That treasure hunting is all what they need
Coaches, be good to your athletes
Your athletes will be just like you
Kids become grown-ups, and turn into parents
And maybe become also coaches too…