Keynote presentation by Nadine Dubina from the 2018 US Sailing National Coaching Symposium

1. The American Development Model: Practical
Application Across the
Olympic Sport Family
Nadine Dubina
US Olympic Committee
Manager, Coach Development

2. And I Quote…

3. “A teacher affects eternity, they can never tell
where their influence stops.”

4. So What Are We Here to Discuss?
•The 4 Things That Are Within Your Control (An Activity!)
•What is ADM?
•How is ADM impacting Olympic Sport?
•What can I do as a coach?

6. What are you…
Thinking?
D
O
I
N
G
?

8. The Why, What & Who of ADMThinking?

9. The Why, What & Who of ADMThinking?

10. The Why, Who & What of ADMThinking?
Evolution = Engagement
Youth sport drop out is at an all time high.

11. The Why, Who & What of ADMThinking?

12. The Why, Who & What of ADMThinking?

13. The Why, Who & What of ADMThinking?
The United States Olympic Committee, in partnership with the National
Governing Bodies, created the American Development Model in 2014 to
help Americans realize their full athletic potential and utilize sport as a path
toward an active and healthy lifestyle.

14. The Why, Who & What of ADMThinking?
American Development Model
• The ADM explains an athlete’s
advancement through a five-
stage pathway that supports a
healthy sport experience
based on physical, mental and
emotional levels, and potential
for growth.
• Based on Long Term Athlete
Development (Balyi & Way)

15. The Why, Who & What of ADMThinking?
ADM Outcomes
• Grow both the general athlete population
and the pool of elite athletes from which
U.S. Olympians and Paralympians are
selected
• Develop fundamental skills that transfer
between sports
• Provide an appropriate avenue to fulfill
an individual’s athletic potential
• Create a generation that loves sport and
physical activity, and then transfers that
passion to the next generation

16. So…What’s Right with US Sailing?Thinking?

17. Athlete Focused, Coach Driven

19. Building An Athlete: 5 Inter-Related Areas

20. Asking the Hard Question: Are we developing
athletes or mini-adult players?
"We have to capitalize on what is known as the optimal
window of skill acquisition - the age that a kid can maximize
his genetic potential, whatever that might be. In hockey, skill
acquisition - that optimum trainability - is through 12 years
old. So we had to ask ourselves, for two years, are we
creating an environment where the focus is on hitting and
not on making plays?"
22 // USOC

21. On Land
In Water
In Air
On Ice/Snow
The Starting Point

23. Did it Work?

24. US Ski & Snowboard – Pathway to National Team

25. USTA - Small Sided Games & Equipment

26. USA Track and Field

27. USA Baseball
30 // USOC

28. NGB Application

29. USA Basketball

30. US Lacrosse

31. USA
Volleyball

32. USA Football

33. US SAILING
36 // USOC

34. D
O
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G
This is...ADM.

35. D
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G
What It Really Looks Like

36. 1
2
3
4
5
Discover, Learn and Play
K-2 Grade - 2x per week
3-4 Grade - 3x per week
- 60 minute practice
Develop and Challenge
5 -6 Grade
- 3x per week and 1 game
- (M-Tu-W), 75 min practice
Train and Compete
7-8 Grade
- 4x per week and 1 game
- (M-T-W-F), 90 min practice
Excel for High
Performance
HS – Varsity
- Full Investment
Participate & Succeed
HS – JV
- M-S, 1-2 games
- 90 min practice
Thrive & Mentor
Program Alumni, Parents and Community
- Alumni events
- Fundraisers, coaching, admin support
5 Stages of
Penn Manor
Lacrosse Club
Development
These stages
outline the
path that
athletes will
follow when
in the
program. It
also gives a
visual
example of
what to
expect at
each level of
play in our
program.

37. PM Stage 1 - Discover, Learn and Play
K – 2 – 6-8 weeks
Practice: 2x per week/60 min
Games: In each practice
Development Focus:
• Fun, GBs, Game Play
• Agility, Balance Coordination
• Station based practices
Game Play: 1v1,2v2, ultimate
Field Play: ¼ a field area
3-4th – 4hrs per week max/8
weeks
Practice: 2-3x per week
Games: 2-3 play days (2 games
each)
Development Focus:
• Fun, GB, Pass/Catch, Game Play
• Agility, Balance, Coordination
• Station based practice
Game Play: 3v3 and 5v5
Field Play: ¼ to ½ field

38. PM Stage 4 – Excel for High Performance
Varsity – 20 hr per week max/14
wks
Practice: 5-6x per week/120 min
- Monday to Saturday
Games: 2-3 game per week
Game Play: 10v10
Field Play: Full Field with
Specialized Players
Off-Season: Fall and Winter Play
Expected, Summer optional but
encouraged
Development Focus:
• Overall Game and personal mastery is the
focus
• Strength and conditioning in-season, off-
season and pre-season expectation
• Mental Development focus
• Leadership Development focus
Coach Focus
• Tech, Tactical, Mental and Physical
evaluation
• Team role and duty assigned, tracked and
managed
• Program maximization for performance

39. “Athlete Focused/Coach Driven”
4 Key Development Areas for our Players:
• Technical (Skills)
• Tactical (Game Play and Decision Making)
• Physical (Athleticism and Nutrition)
• 10-15 min of physical lit per practice
• Psycho-Social (Mental Development, Social Engagement)
• Implement mental training program for 5/6, 7/8, JV and HS
Coach Training: HS, JV, 7/8, 5/6 coaches will all be trained and pushed to evaluate
players based on the 4 key areas listed above. ¾ and K-2 will all be pushed to
evaluate on development, game understanding and general fun/enjoyment of the
game and program.
Expect 3 evaluations per year per player and 3 evaluations per year per coach.

40. Reflection Cards

41. The Parents: Engage to Disengage

42. Forget BIG Change, Start with a TINY Habit.

43. Best Coaching Principles

44. Preparing Butterflies!

45. What Will You Do?

50. What Do You Think, Feel, Say & Do?

51. Thank You!
Nadine Dubina, USOC Manager – Coach Development
nadine.dubina@usoc.org
719-306-7210