Pre-pubertal: Physical Characteristics and Training Focus

According to the Youth Physical Development (YPD) model, training during the pre-pubertal years should be less structured, with a strong focus on developing fundamental movement skills (FMS). These skills, like running, jumping, and balancing, are the building blocks for more complex, sport-specific movements later in life. Early childhood is a critical period for developing gross motor skills, and establishing these basics sets the foundation for future athletic performance.

Strength training is also important during these early years. It’s widely accepted that children can safely engage in strength training when supervised by a qualified professional. For young female athletes, strength training can enhance motor skills like throwing, jumping, and sprinting while also helping to reduce the risk of sport-related injuries. 

Although training at the pre-pubertal phase should include activities to develop sport-specific skills, mobility, agility, speed, power, and endurance, these should not be the main focus. Instead, the emphasis should be on creating a solid foundation of functional movement skills. 

As female athletes progress into middle childhood, training can begin to focus more on developing specific biomotor skills such as speed, agility, and power, building on the foundation established during the earlier years.