Understanding and Implementing the ADM

By Jim Kielbaso

 

Over the last year, USA Hockey has promoted the American Development Model (ADM) in an effort to educate coaches, athletes and parents about long-term athlete development.  

 

I have gotten a lot of questions about this model and how to implement it.  This two-part article will break down some of the concepts in an easy-to-understand format so the program can be better understood and implemented on a consistent basis. 

 

The basic concept of the ADM is to take advantage of particular “windows of opportunity” as athletes mature in a long-term effort to develop the most complete athlete possible.  Instead of specializing in just one sport at a very early age, the ADM suggests a more well-rounded approach that will ultimately create higher-level athletic abilities than playing hockey alone will.

 

Move in different ways

Before about age 12, the nervous system is still developing and seems to be able to “expand” through exposure to different stimuli.  Think of the nervous system as a circuit board.  Training before age 12 is designed to build a “bigger board” so you can ultimately plug more wires into it down the road.  This enhancement is achieved through exposure to different sports and activities that involve running, jumping, turning, throwing, catching, striking, balancing, tumbling and anything that challenges a young athlete to move in different ways. 

Gymnastics, martial arts, dance, basketball, and soccer are great activities for young athletes to learn body-control, coordination and the ability to process physical information. 

 

Balance boards, stability balls, mini-tramps and jump ropes are simple items that can be used and progressively made more challenging.  Games that involve hand-eye coordination, running and jumping are also excellent.  You can even have your kids learn how to skateboard or walk on stilts.  Play follow-the-leader on a playground or Simon Says with different skills like hopping on one foot, push-ups or high-knee runs in place to allow for creativity and fun.

 

Playing other sports is another way to stimulate the nervous system, and the ADM highly encourages this in the younger age groups. 

 

Former Soviet sports development expert Tudor Bompa wrote about this kind of training in his book Theory and Methodology of Training.  His concept of introducing a variety of activities at a young age has been used in Europe for decades, and is part of the model USA Hockey is now promoting.

 

Because the circuit board is so wide-open in younger athletes, it is also an optimal time to develop key skills involved in sports.  For hockey, this is a critical time to learn how to skate, shoot and pass.  Time spent on these skills before age twelve will pay big dividends down the road.  There is also a window of opportunity to develop speed and quickness on the ground.  If available, programs that teach young athletes proper running mechanics in short bursts are highly effective for long-term development.  It may seem crazy to start training at this young of an age, but the long-term results are worth it. 

 

Skills and training

The ADM recommendation for 8 & Under is called the “FUNdamentals Stage” which focuses on what they call Fundamental Movement Skills (balancing, running, coordination, etc.).  They go so far as to suggest that hockey should only take up 25% of a young athlete’s activity while other activities/sports should take up 75% of their time. 

 

The next stage - 12 & Under -  is called “Learning to Train” and focuses on Fundamental Sports Skills such as throwing, striking, kicking, etc.  This entire stage of life should focus on individual development rather than competition.  Many coaches and parents want to “win games” rather than develop players, but the ADM is suggesting the opposite approach will give athletes the best overall experience and development.  They progress up to 80-90 practices and 30-35 games a year, but there is still a heavy emphasis on skill development.

The keys to applying the ADM approach for athletes 12 & Under are:

 

*Teach fundamental movements and athletic skills

*Focus on development rather than competition

*Stimulate the nervous system with multiple sports and activities

*Teach and practice fundamental hockey skills such as skating, shooting and passing

 

 

I hope this helps you understand and apply USA Hockey’s American Development Model for development in the younger age groups.  In the next installment, I will concentrate on ages 13 and up.  Until then, please contact me if you have any questions about performance training.

 

Jim Kielbaso MS, CSCS is the Director of the Total Performance Training Center inside Total Sports Complex – Wixom.  He is a former college strength and conditioning coach and author of the books Speed & Agility Revolution and World’s Hardest Exercises.  Contact him at jim@totalsportscomplex.com.