Playing-form activities for player development

Chapter 10 provides a practical review of key strategies to design played-form activities adjusted to early player development, considering the particularities of 9–12 years old categories. Since skill acquisition is crucial throughout this phase, we argue that “exploration” should remain the core strategy to approach practice. However, calibration plays an important role in finding the sweet spot where development can occur, especially in the way the play is configured. Among important considerations, the variance in direct opposition caused by growth differences may hold back, or, at the contrary, spark progress, depending on expectations towards participants. To demonstrate the opportunities that are at stake, we explore four different formats of played-form activities designed to defend better, analyse opportunities for actions, and highlight key considerations in designing relevant activities. In conclusion, there is a clear range of favourable conditions to put in place through an early development phase, to which key parameters and considerations can make a difference.