Long Term Hockey Development is central to Field Hockey Canada’s development strategy with the key for success in our implementation. FHC makes the distinction of LTAD as the athlete pathway in the long-term development of field hockey and LTHD as the full scope of elements that impact field hockey development.

Long Term Hockey Development = LTHD of coaches, athletes, officials, competition, volunteers, facilities

The web-based platform is the communication tool for our LTHD model with the ability to deliver key development material across the country. Participants using the online resource center will be introduced to field hockey using the same physical literacy and sport development plans. At the core for long-term success will be the alignment of the LTAD principles and the coaching education program. The LTHD model provides the framework of an integrated approach to athlete training and coaching education.

The implementation of the Field Hockey Development Map is key in our system delivery for training Canadian field hockey athletes in the areas of technical, tactical and game intelligence. Linking our coaching material to the map will provide coaches at each LTHD stage sound training and planning tools to optimize individual athletes and team performance.

Some important concepts about the Field Hockey Development Map:

• Common language is essential in material generation to allow easy transitions between stages of development for both the athlete and coach
• Core skills have been identified and will be trained through each stage of LTHD
• The five tactical areas of the game will be trained in progression through each stage of the LTHD
• The map provides a framework for the training of athletes within the five tactical areas, that demand the execution of the technical skills and also the ability to make good decisions and display “game intelligence”

The integration of the Field Hockey Development Map with our LTAD provides a common framework for coaches across all provinces to teach their athletes what is needed at each stage of their sport development.

As the LTAD program is implemented across the country it will be a significant driver to our system development using the web-based resource as the tool for a dynamic and sustainable development program. What has become clear is that athlete training, coaching, officiating, competition along with volunteer and community engagement need to be reflected on and considered to impact and influence our current system.

The LTHD model has the ability to systematically enhance player development, coaching, officials and competition. Given the differences in the development of field hockey across the country not all areas experience the same challenges of implementing the LTHD, but there is now a common framework from which to work. Coaching education in alignment with the principles of LTAD training is central to our long-term success. LTHD is the driver for our Field Hockey Sport Development strategy. A clear priority throughout implementation of our LTHD model is the focus on an increased engagement by our field hockey community in understanding and executing  “what excellent" looks like throughout our entire field hockey community.