SSNB Parents Developmental Guidelines

Late Puberty

This Pamphlet is generally aimed at youth from 13 to 17 years of age. But parents must be aware that not all children mature and develop at the same physical, mental and emotional growth rates, so the age is based on the average child in this maturity phase. Within this phase parents should constantly be aware of the differences in the maturity levels between different youth and not make assumptions of their children based on the maturity levels of others. It is a very difficult time for a late maturer and they must be given positive feedback from all areas in their life. A lot of their self-perception develops with in this phase of their lives. By the end of this phase the maturity differences should be less apparent between the youth.

Speed Skate New Brunswick Coaches pay great attention to the principals of the growth and development of your individual teen, within a speed skating context.

This Pamphlet will give you a brief review of the development characteristics of youth at this age andthe basic concepts that your teen’s coach is working to develop.

  1. The circulatory and respiratory systems reach maturity. Aerobic and anaerobic systems can now be trained for maximum output. Specific energy systems training should be implemented.
  1. Stabilization in the muscular system occurs. Muscles have reached mature size but can, when developed, continue to increase in strength until their late twenties. Strength training can be maximized to the neuromuscular receptor recruitment.
  1. Connective tissues are still strengthening, so proper techniques should always be used.
  1. Girls will gain more weight than boys, so aerobic training for girls should be optimized.
  1. By age 16, generally, the brain has reached it’s adult size, but continues to mature neurologically for several more years. This allows for the refinements of all technical and tactical skills within the sport.
  1. Critical thinking is developing in this phase. Capacity for self-analysis and correction is developing and must be encouraged.
  1. The skater’s decision making from daily life, sport commitment through to technical and tactical development should be encouraged, with good two-way communication being present. This is a critical time to have positive reinforcement of the values they have previously set.
  2. Youth begin to assume responsibility for themselves and begin to accept the consequences for their actions at the later stages of this phase. This is a highly valued life-skill and needs to be encouraged and developed. To foster the development of this skill, there needs to be good two-way communication, as errors will occur. But, through trust, discussion takes place.
  1. Peer group influence is still a powerful force but the youths independent decision making and leadership skills are becoming more evident. There is still a great need for strong direction and guidance through open communication.
  1. Young people are searching for a stable, balanced self-image. The “self” is very susceptible to “successes and failures”. The development of positive performance evaluations and positive reinforcement of these evaluations is imperative.
  1. Activities and interaction with the opposite sex play strong roles during this phase.
  1. Many females are now faced with the perceived problem of feminitity versus sport development. Many of these issues are out dated but continue to be promoted by their peer groups.
  1. Many males now face the perceived problem of relating their athletic performance to masculinity.