Skip to main content
Unit 219 
Talent identification in sport 
Tutor Guidance 
1. Explain the unit outcomes and check understanding. 
2. Present students with unit assessments and processes for submission. 
3. Utilise the PowerPoint to support lesson delivery, and student understanding. 
4. Allow for students to record lesson information to support them in their assessment. 
5. Consolidate after each lesson. 
6. Link theory lesson outcomes with practical delivery. 
7. Consolidate and link the practical and theory aspects with the unit outcomes and assessment. 
8. Utilise any and all resources to support and deliver the unit outcomes for example – quizzes, 
risk assessments, health and safety checklist, injuries in football, video clips. 
Level 2 Award, Certificate & Diploma in Increasing Participation in Sport and Active Leisure in Community Settings (QCF) (4863-26)
Unit 219 
Talent identification in sport 
Student Guidance 
1. Review the unit standards, on Blackboard. 
2. Access unit assessment from Blackboard. 
3. Save assessment in your documents. 
4. Take part within group discussions. 
5. Record notes/ findings from both practical and theory lessons. 
6. Ask questions, to establish understanding. 
7. Take active role within practical lessons. 
8. Clear submission date and procedure. 
9. Clearly read the assessment requirements for example, prepare a presentation, write a report, 
produce a leaflet. 
Level 2 Award, Certificate & Diploma in Increasing Participation in Sport and Active Leisure in Community Settings (QCF) (4863-26)
Unit 219 
Talent identification in sport 
Unit aim 
This unit introduces learners to the importance and relevance of talent identification and 
development systems in sport and competition pathways. In addition, learners will have the 
opportunity to consider the predictors of talent for individuals as well as to undertake independent 
research activity into the types and quality of past, current and/or future programmes. 
Learners will have the opportunity to explore and discuss the influences and benefits of and success 
of talent identification and development systems/programmes. 
Centres are encouraged, where possible, to make use of available trips, visits and guest speakers to 
enliven discussions and bring reality to research and assessment tasks. 
basis. 
Level 2 Award, Certificate & Diploma in Increasing Participation in Sport and Active Leisure in Community Settings (QCF) (4863-26)
Unit 219 
Talent identification in sport 
Learning outcomes 
There are three learning outcomes to this unit. The learner will be able to: 
219.1: Know the predictors used to identify potential and talent in sport 
219.2: Understand how sporting talent is developed and maintained 
219.3: Understand reasons for developing talent identification systems 
Guided learning hours 
It is recommended that 25 hours should be allocated for this unit. This may be on a full or part-time 
basis. 
Level 2 Award, Certificate & Diploma in Increasing Participation in Sport and Active Leisure in Community Settings (QCF) (4863-26)
The greatest 
discovery of 
my generation 
is that a 
human being 
can alter his 
life by altering 
his attitudes 
Level 2 Award, Certificate & Diploma in Increasing Participation in Sport and Active Leisure in Community Settings (QCF) (4863-26)
Outcome 1 Know the predictors used to identify potential and 
talent in sport 
Assessment Criteria 
The learner can: 
1. define talent identification 
2. identify potential predictors of talent in sport 
3. describe how predictors are used to identify potential participation pathways. 
Level 2 Award, Certificate & Diploma in Increasing Participation in Sport and Active Leisure in Community Settings (QCF) (4863-26)
Outcome 1 Know the predictors used to identify potential and 
talent in sport 
Range 
Predictors 
Social, physical, physiological, psychological, technical/skill 
Participation pathways 
Unisport/team sport, multisport, unidimensional, multidimensional 
Level 2 Award, Certificate & Diploma in Increasing Participation in Sport and Active Leisure in Community Settings (QCF) (4863-26)
A good manager can, at best, make a team 10% 
better. But a bad manager can make a team up to 
50% worse 
Giovanni Trapattoni 
Level 2 Award, Certificate & Diploma in Increasing Participation in Sport and Active Leisure in Community Settings (QCF) (4863-26)
Outcome 2 - Understand how sporting talent is developed and 
maintained 
Assessment Criteria 
The learner can: 
1. outline the aim of the sports development continuum 
2. identify key personnel who contribute to the success of talent development 
3. identify factors which impact on talent development 
4. describe methods used to engage individuals with talent. 
Level 2 Award, Certificate & Diploma in Increasing Participation in Sport and Active Leisure in Community Settings (QCF) (4863-26)
Outcome 2 - Understand how sporting talent is developed and 
maintained 
Range 
Key personnel 
Mentors, parents, coaches, teachers, leaders, role models, peers 
Factors 
Ambition, socio-economic status, support, facilities, access, awareness 
Level 2 Award, Certificate & Diploma in Increasing Participation in Sport and Active Leisure in Community Settings (QCF) (4863-26)
Celebrate success 
INSERT VISUAL 
Level 2 Award, Certificate & Diploma in Increasing Participation in Sport and Active Leisure in Community Settings (QCF) (4863-26)
Outcome 3 Understand reasons for developing talent 
identification systems 
Assessment Criteria 
The learner can: 
1. explain the importance of investing in talent identification systems 
2. describe benefits of talent identification systems to individuals 
3. describe benefits of talent identification systems to organisations 
4. identify threats to the success of talent identification systems. 
Level 2 Award, Certificate & Diploma in Increasing Participation in Sport and Active Leisure in Community Settings (QCF) (4863-26)
Outcome 3 Understand reasons for developing talent 
identification systems 
Range 
Individuals 
Athletes/performers 
Organisations 
National Governing Bodies, education (primary & secondary schools, colleges), 
teams/clubs 
Threats 
Funding, facilities, poor use of talent predictors, coaching, political agendas 
Level 2 Award, Certificate & Diploma in Increasing Participation in Sport and Active Leisure in Community Settings (QCF) (4863-26)
You won’t always ‘get on' 
You don’t have to 
have been a horse 
to become a good 
jockey 
Level 2 Award, Certificate & Diploma in Increasing Participation in Sport and Active Leisure in Community Settings (QCF) (4863-26)
What may determine the stage 
players are at, or get to ? 
Beginner 
Based on – gentile 2002 
Age 
Ability 
Experience 
Opportunity 
Advanced 
Motivation & Drive 
Economics 
Socio / cultural 
Level 2 Award, Certificate & Diploma in Increasing Participation in Sport and Active Leisure in Community Settings (QCF) (4863-26) 
Expert 
Intermediate 
Luck 
Others ?
Group Discussion 
1 How do you make sure goalkeepers get the same 
benefit from practices as outfield players? 
2 Show how the adolescent growth spurt may affect 
the player & what coaches may need to consider. 
3 What is a ‘Birth bias’ and how does this affect player 
development in this country. ? 
4 What could be some of the traits of talented players & 
how can coaches deal help these children? 
5 How can a coach make sure they manage difference 
in the group.? 
Level 2 Award, Certificate & Diploma in Increasing Participation in Sport and Active Leisure in Community Settings (QCF) (4863-26)
Timing & speed of a growth spurt; 
May be early or late, smooth or erratic 
impact? 
impact? 
impact? 
impact? 
Females Males 
cm / year 
11 
10 
9 
8 
7 
6 
5 
4 
3 
2 
1 
EXAMPLE 
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Age 
Ref Craig simmons
Different Adolescent Growth rates 
Player B 
Age : 13 . 5 
Ht: 155 cm 
Wt: 52 kg 
Player A 
Age : 13 . 5 
Ht: 188 cm 
Wt: 81 kg 
Early ? 
Later? 
Age – Yrs
Assess ? – Now or the Future ? 
Technical 
Gifted 
Effective 
Are your observations based on 
effectiveness in the game ‘today’ 
Good at position 
Good technique 
Skilful 
Psych 
Strong /Weak 
Confident 
Motivated 
Resilient 
Reflective 
Good decision maker 
Will these sort of observations 
change as the player matures ? 
Physical 
Fast / slow 
Strong / Weak 
Tall/short 
Social 
Leader 
Are you prepared to wait ? 
Team player 
Popular 
Can you spot the potential ?
DIFFERENCE 
Psychological age. 
Physical age. 
Social age. 
Technical age. 
Chronological age. 
Technical 
Chronological 
age 
Physical 
Ages 12 13 14 15 16 
Level 2 Award, Certificate & Diploma in Increasing Participation in Sport and Active Leisure in Community Settings (QCF) (4863-26) 
Social 
Psych 
Physical 
Social 
Technical 
Psych 
Ref Craig simmons
Summer Birthdays 
Sept – Dec 
Jan - Apr 
May – Aug
Level 2 Award, Certificate & Diploma in Increasing Participation in Sport and Active Leisure in Community Settings (QCF) (4863-26) Ref Craig simmons
8,857 BOYS BIRTHS IN ENGLISH PROFESSIONAL 
FOOTBALL CLUBS 
5047 
2659 
Birth preference? 
1st September or 31st August. 
What is the effect on players 
being born just 1 day apart? 
QUESTION: ARE THE MAJORITY 
OF THE BEST PLAYERS BORN 
SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER? 
1151 
6000 
5000 
4000 
3000 
2000 
1000 
0 
School 
and 
club start 
8857 club 9 to 16 year old players 
Level 2 Award, Certificate & Diploma in Increasing Participation in Sport and Active Leisure in Community Settings (QCF) (4863-26) 
13 % 
57 % 
30 % 
Sep-Dec Jan-Apr May-Aug 
Ref Craig simmons
Are self-directed & 
highly motivated 
Masters information 
Quickly 
Can Jump stages in 
learning 
Talented ? 
Can Detect & Self correct 
errors in practice & 
games Prepared to experiment 
Can Reason ‘things 
out’ for themselves 
& risk being wrong 
Level 2 Award, Certificate & Diploma in Increasing Participation in Sport and Active Leisure in Community Settings (QCF) (4863-26)
Talent belongs to 
Level 2 Award, Certificate & Diploma in Increasing Participation in Sport and Active Leisure in Community Settings (QCF) (4863-26) 
someone else 
(pressure) 
Doubt about ability 
Best not good 
enough 
Impatient – 
Reckless 
Stop experiment 
& risk being wrong 
(Assess repercussions of 
taking risks)
José V. Portolés Montañés 
Role of the coach ? 
To build an environment where individual talent can flourish 
Recognise , celebrate and then try to manage difference 
26 
Level 2 Award, Certificate & Diploma in Increasing Participation in Sport and Active Leisure in Community Settings (QCF) (4863-26)
‘Wheel’ of fortune 
Opportunity 
& more 
Opportunity 
Experience 
& More 
experience 
Opportunity 
& More 
Opportunity 
Experience 
& More 
experience 
Level 2 Award, Certificate & Diploma in Increasing Participation in Sport and Active Leisure in Community Settings (QCF) (4863-26)
Assessing ‘talent’ 
José V. Portolés Montañés 
28 
Performance 
Level 2 Award, Certificate & Diploma in Increasing Participation in Sport and Active Leisure in Community Settings (QCF) (4863-26) 
Potential 
‘The educator must above all 
understand how to wait; 
to reckon all effects 
in the light of the future, 
not of the present’. 
Ellen Key, 1911