Talent is a complex and nuanced phenomenon. Genetics, skills, learning ability, commitment, persistence, social relationships and environment are just a few of the many characteristics of talent – regardless of whether the talent’s domain is language, mathematics, music, graffiti or sports. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to identifying and developing talent in sports, not even specifically in individual sports. This is because the many characteristics are dynamic and differentiated. There is thus a significant difference between identifying and developing talent in individual sports such as shooting, wrestling and swimming compared to team sports such as football, ice hockey and rhythmic gymnastics. Differences in culture, values, rules, attitudes and behaviour in the individual sports are far greater than the similarities. It will therefore be very individual which sports match the personality and motivation of the individual child or youth.
International research within football has shown that identifying talent, i.e. child and youth players with the potential to reach the highest national level as senior players, is neither appropriate nor possible before players reach the age of 14-15. However, the practice is that – also in Danish sports – too many “talents” are identified and selected far too early, often as early as the age of 8-9. This trend, which is not only pronounced in Danish football culture, is undoubtedly one of the main reasons for significant dropouts in the oldest youth cohorts within many sports.
There is solid research and a lot of practical experience today, both in Denmark and internationally, about talent development. In my opinion, there are three factors that are of particular importance in terms of developing a strong and sustainable talent environment for the age of 16-20.
Good training quality is crucial
Firstly, talents must experience good quality in the individual training sessions. Likewise, there must be a “common thread” in the training, both in terms of content (training exercises) and progression (development). The training must therefore be adapted to the youth’s age and stage of development, both physically, technically, tactically, mentally and socially. Both the amount and intensity of training must be gradually increased based on a number of physical and cognitive parameters. Many talent coaches use principles, methods and content from age-related training concepts (ATK), which are described and communicated in most sports. In addition, it is essential that talents learn methods and tools for their own learning. Sports can have a major influence on the development of young people’s responsibility, independence and creativity. A prerequisite for this to succeed is that the coach can and will let go of one-way communication, strict management and fixed frameworks. This type of management requires professionally skilled coaches. The clubs and federations must therefore pay close attention to recruiting and training competent talent coaches. In addition, the clubs and federations should draw up a development plan for the individual talent coach and would be happy to supplement this with a mentoring programme, where the talent coach can seek advice and guidance from one or more experienced senior coaches. In other words, professionally competent coaches are key figures in relation to the development of young talents, both in terms of sport, human and social aspects.
Talent coaches must be attentive, empathetic and demanding
Secondly, the association’s talent work must be run by several people with good human qualities and not by a single fiery soul who handles almost all tasks. Both talent coaches and youth leaders must be very aware that during the course of a season there are often ups and downs, both for the individual and for the entire team. Many youth today are very vulnerable and fragile, which means that youth coaches and leaders must be aware of problems and challenges that are not necessarily linked to the sport, the team or the association to a much greater extent than before. The leaders must therefore possess qualities such as empathy and flexibility, but also set frameworks for and demands on both the individual and the team in relation to values, norms and behaviour. For many youth, the reasons for droping out of sports can be due to circumstances that are related to, for example, family, boyfriends, school and education and not necessarily to friends, coaches or leaders in the club. All experience shows that strong and sustainable talent environments are often driven by strong and charismatic individuals who are very passionate about their sport. In addition, strong and sustainable talent environments are characterized by stability in leadership (coaches and managers), concrete objectives and realistic action plans as management tools.
Focus on both development and results
Thirdly, a well-functioning talent environment must focus on both development and results, which are not opposites. Talent is best developed by training with and competing against others who are more skilled than oneself. It is also important that talents learn to both win and lose, so that the transition from the oldest youth ranks to the senior team does not become too drastic. There is a distinct tendency these years that many coaches, both talent and elite coaches at senior level, focus more on process and performance than on product and results. The talent coach must organize the long-term development of the individual and the team, but the coach must also be aware that mental strength is better built through successful experiences and victories than through frustrations and defeats. The talent coach must also accept that the bottom level of many talents in matches and at competitions can sometimes be surprisingly low. It is therefore about creating greater stability and less fluctuation in the talent’s performance in order to achieve better results.
One of the biggest challenges for many young people today – including the greatest talents – is making independent decisions and choices, which is essential in all sports. It is necessary to learn to take responsibility for oneself and one’s teammates both on and off the sports arena – only in this way can talents realize their potential.
Sources:
- Adam Kelly (ed.): Talent Identification and Development in Youth Soccer. A Guide for Researchers and Pactitioners (Routledge, 2024).
- Joseph Baker, Stephen Cobley, and Jörg Schorer; Talent Identification and Development in Sport. International Perspectives (Routledge, 2020)
- Kristoffer Henriksen, Carsten Hvid Larsen, and Louise Kamuk Storm: All you need to know about talent development in sport (Athlete Insight Press, 2024).