What is LTAD?

Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD)

The LTAD framework aims to define optimal training, competition and recovery throughout an athlete’s career to enable him / her to reach his / her full potential in sport. Tailoring a child’s sports development programme to suit basic principles of growth and maturation, especially during the ‘critical’ early years of their development, enables him / her to;
Reach full potential
Increase lifelong participation in badminton and other physical activities

The LTAD model is split into six stages in which your child will move from simple to more complex skills and from general to badminton related skills. For example, a beginner may start by learning to throw a ball or shuttle to learn the correct hitting actions and then once this has been mastered he / she will progress onto racket skills.

Where has it come from?

A combination of recent research and the knowledge of coaches from around the world have been used to write the LTAD model.

Many leading sports stars have also attributed part of their success to participating in different sports and activities at a young age by giving them a wider base of sports skills.

What will this mean for your child?

During your child’s first few years of badminton, time should be spent learning the ABC’S of athleticism (Agility, Balance, Coordination and Speed) to teach them how to control his / her own bodies. For this reason, your child may take part in exercises that do not look relevant to badminton but are supporting their development. Games of catch and other sports such as cricket or rounders, will teach your child to throw the ball (basic hitting actions), catch it (hand-eye coordination), change direction and create space.  

What has this got to do with badminton?

BADMINTON England is looking to provide children with the all skills needed to take part in physical activity throughout their lifetimes. We are looking further into the future than teaching the skills to win tournaments tomorrow if it may have a detrimental effect on them taking part at a later age.

It is thought that taking part in badminton-specific training too early can lead to an early drop out rate, create muscle imbalances and also neglect teaching the fundamental skills needed for most sports.

Research has also shown that it is during childhood that people are best at learning physical skills. For this reason we are advising coaches and parents to teach transferable skills first that will allow your child to become proficient in a number of different sports and therefore increase their chances of being physically active throughout their lifetime. For example, if your child learns to catch and throw a ball successfully, an avenue to take part in other ball sports is opened.

Who else is using LTAD?

The Department of Education and many other sports, such as rugby union, cricket, swimming and netball, are working together with BADMINTON England to create the best opportunities for all children.

Where has badminton’s LTAD model come from?

BADMINTON England commenced work on a LTAD model for badminton in summer 2003 and work has progressed rapidly since the appointment of a full-time LTAD Co-ordinator in June 2004.

We have consulted with a wide range of coaches, sports scientists and experienced volunteers from around the world to represent the views of the whole badminton community. Their knowledge and expertise have been used to form the LTAD framework for badminton in England (an in depth description of this can be found in the LTAD further reading document).

From this model BADMINTON England is currently in the process of reviewing our programmes in line with LTAD principles. Our competition programme, coach education system, elite play structure and development initiatives, including the Badminton Into Schools Initiative, will all evolve to be consistent with the principles established within this underpinning model.

BADMINTON England LTAD resources  

BADMINTON England are very happy to announce the launch of a range of LTAD resources designed to help all Coaches, Teachers, Players and Parents understand the stages that each junior goes through and also exercises and activities to do.

Basics to Brilliance - LTAD Model            Price £34.99
This has been written with guidance from BADMINTON England staff, coaches and volunteers to ensure that the badminton provided to young people is appropriate and enjoyable. All aspects of a junior player's badminton career has been reviewed to allow us to understand the best way to develop our junior talent.

This document has been written specifically for the badminton community, giving recommendations for juniors as they develop and progress through our sport.

Basics to Brilliance - LTAD Model Concise Version       Price £4.99
A shorterned version of the LTAD Model for those that wish to understand the basics of LTAD. This has been designed as a 'taster' for those involved in badminton.

Mental Skills Guide for Badminton           Price £14.99
Dr Sarah and Dr Elizabeth Partington, Lecturers in Sports Psychology at Northumbria University, have worked with us to produce a practical guide for caoches, parents, players and teachers.

This resource has been designed as a pracitical step-by-step guide for people with little or no sport psychology training. Activities have been written for young people from FUNdamentals through to Peak Performance.

All resources can be ordered from the Development Department. If you would like to place an order, please download the attached form and send it to us or call on 01908 268400.

Development Department
BADMINTON England
National Badminton Centre
Milton Keynes
MK8 9LA

Click here for a summary of BADMINTON England's LTAD Model.