Building a Solid Foundation: The First Three Stages of Long-Term Development in Sport and Physical Activity

Long-Term Development in Sport and Physical Activity (LTD) begins with three crucial stages that set the foundation for lifelong participation and excellence. These stages—Active Start, FUNdamentals, and Learn to Train—are designed to provide individuals with the best possible introduction to physical activity and sport. Children pass through these stages in large part simply because they are growing and developing. Adults when learning a new sport or physical activity pass through the FUNdamentals and Learn to Train stages. The transition from stage to stage is therefore developmentally based.

Active Start (Birth to 6 Years)

The journey begins with Active Start, the foundational stage where children develop their physical literacy. This stage emphasizes creating confidence and joy in movement through a blend of structured and unstructured activities.

PLAYBuilder Example Activity: Shoe Tower

The Shoe Tower activity is a fun and engaging way to foster teamwork, balance, and creativity.

• Setup: Divide children into groups of 3–5 in a safe, open space with enough room for each group to work. Ensure every child has their own shoes.
• Instructions: Explain the goal is to build the tallest shoe tower possible that stands independently for at least 10 seconds. Demonstrate simple stacking ideas, then let them experiment with their own strategies.
• Activity: Encourage collaboration and monitor for safety. Celebrate all towers and discuss what strategies worked best.

For more details, see the full guide: shoe-tower.pdf.

As children master the fundamental movements and build confidence in Active Start, they naturally progress to the FUNdamentals stage, where these basic movements evolve into more sport-specific skills.

FUNdamentals (Boys 6-9 Years, Girls 6-8 Years)

The FUNdamentals stage balances structure with enjoyment, emphasizing participation and physical literacy while introducing basic sports skills.

PLAYBuilder Example Activity: Bump the Bolts

The Bump the Bolts activity is a dynamic way to develop underhand throwing and teamwork skills.

• Setup: Divide participants into two teams positioned on opposite sides of the play area. In the middle, place rollable objects (e.g., pool noodles or beach balls) and provide soft items like beanbags for throwing.
• Instructions: Players throw or roll their objects to hit targets in the center, aiming to push them toward the opposing team’s side. A point is scored when a target crosses the other team’s line.
• Activity: Encourage teamwork and accuracy while ensuring safety. Reset objects as needed for continuous play.

For more details, see the full guide: bump-the-bolts.pdf

With strong fundamental movement skills and a growing understanding of basic sport concepts, participants are ready to enter the Learn to Train stage, where more structured sport participation begins.

Learn to Train (Boys 9+, Girls 8+ to Adolescent Growth Spurt)

Learn to Train is the stage where participants begin more structured sport participation, building on their physical literacy and skill foundation. This stage takes advantage of the optimal period for skill acquisition.

PLAYBuilder Example Activity: Crossroads

The Crossroads activity develops running, dodging, and defending skills in a fun and dynamic environment.

• Setup: Mark a 20×20-yard field or court with cones to create boundaries. Divide participants into groups of 5–6. Provide each player with a flag belt and one ball per group.
• Instructions: Assign three players as defenders positioned between cone sets and the rest as runners. Runners take turns trying to dodge through the defenders, who attempt to pull their flags. Points are scored for each flag the runner keeps. Rotate roles every 3–5 minutes.
• Activity: Encourage quick movements, agility, and teamwork while monitoring for safety. Adjust the box size or number of defenders to modify difficulty.

For more details, see the full guide: crossroads.pdf

A Progressive, Developmental Approach

Each stage builds progressively on the previous one, creating a comprehensive foundation for physical literacy and sport participation. The LTD framework prioritizes development over age, making it adaptable for adults learning new sports.

This approach ensures lifelong participation and success in physical activity by emphasizing proper skill development and fostering a positive, engaging environment. Through PLAYBuilder, coaches and instructors can access age-appropriate activities designed to support each stage of development, ensuring proper skill development in an engaging environment.