Teaching mini basketball through long term athlete development : a local study

Abstract

The main aim of this research was to investigate the aims and objectives of local mini-basketball leaders. The study focuses on content and the pedagogy used in the teaching and learning of mini basketball. Data gathered is compared to the Long Term Athlete Development principles (Balyi, 2005) so as to highlight the areas and competencies which are strong or lacking in the local mini basketball scene. A qualitative methodology consisting of interviews with all mini basketball leaders and three focus groups sampled from three different categories and age groups were the research tools used. Each focus group consisted of a participant from each club for each category in the participative age brackets of Under 8, Under 10 and Under 12. The data collected from the focus group was analyzed. A comparative analysis on the perceptions and aims of what the leaders' target to achieve and the participants' perceptions was carried out. Differences and similarities are highlighted. The varied targets emerging from the various categories were analyzed and compared to literature regarding characteristics of children's needs and reasons for participation in sports. This study reveals that local mini basketball leaders do follow Long Term Athlete Development principles in their teaching of mini basketball even though the majority of them are not aware of the model. Both leaders and participants target social development and the improvement of physical aspects and sport skills. Both leaders and participants agree on mini basketball being a medium towards the child's holistic development. Although young participants do target becoming good future basketball players, leaders aim at getting children engaged in sports and having fun.