What is maturation status?
Maturation status is about how close someone is to, or how far they’ve progressed through, their adolescent growth spurt.
Everyone progresses at different rates. But girls can experience going through this a bit earlier than boys do.
Not sure how to identify if a player is being affected by a growth spurt?
Of course, the obvious sign is if a player suddenly seems taller after a few weeks. If you notice a player is struggling and you’re not sure if they have grown, talk to their parents or carers. See if they have noticed anything. They may have measured them. And this growth spurt could just take the player a while to adapt to.
If a player has any sudden challenges with movement or controlling the ball, this can signal a growth spurt, too. Players may get frustrated but it’s important for coaches to be patient and empathetic.
To better understand how growth and maturation are impacting your players, ask them how they’re doing. Encourage open conversations and explore non-verbal methods like journaling to gather information. And make sure you stand back to observe them during training. If you’re constantly jumping in to intervene, you won’t see if they’re struggling or adapting to any changes.
What is the relative age effect?
The relative age effect refers to the impact of birth month on a player’s development. In a team of players from the same school year, those born in September are nearly a year older than those born in August.
This age gap often puts older players ahead in terms of growth and maturation. That might lead to them getting picked over the younger ones, for example. On the other hand, older players might not get challenged enough when playing against younger, less developed, peers.
To address this, collect dates of birth at the start of the season and keep the relative age effect in mind. Being aware of this can help you improve your player’s experience. For example, you could put a more developed player on an underloaded team to increase their challenge while making it easier for others.
How coaches can help players at training
Here are some tips for tailoring training sessions to players at different stages of growth:
- Be patient. When players have a growth spurt, it can affect their skills, confidence, and even social standing in the team. Give them time to adjust and be sure to praise their intentions – even if they don’t always succeed. Players may start to act differently, too. So be mindful of this. Stay calm and, again, patient with them.
- Add variety. Help players master movement as they grow by using the STEP framework (Youth Sports Trust, 2002). For example, if players are struggling with controlling the ball due to a growth spurt, let them play on a bigger pitch to give them a better chance of success. Once they’ve shown signs of adapting, then you can try them on a smaller pitch.
- Mix up the teams. At times, pairing players of a similar size might feel fair and be the right thing to do. But also keep in mind that mixing it up sometimes can pay off. Matching up smaller players with bigger ones teaches them how to cope in challenging situations. It could offer them the stretch they need to improve. Using underloads and overloads will also adjust the challenge your players face.
- Communicate with parents and carers. Players and their families might not be aware of how growth spurts can impact performance. So, it can be a confusing and frustrating time. If a player starts to struggle, reassure parents and carers that this is a normal phase.
How coaches can help players on matchday
On matchday, don’t pigeonhole players into certain positions based on their size or speed. These traits will change as they grow. Instead, let them try a variety of positions and compete against opponents with different physical attributes. And, like at training, be patient and offer plenty of encouragement.
When planning game time, consider players’ physical development. For instance, players with less leg strength, or those who are suffering growing pains, may struggle to play for long periods of time.
But ensure you’re fair with game time over the long-term. Gradually increase the time players spend on the pitch to get them used to playing for longer.
And always explain your decisions. Players can take matchday choices personally. Let them know in advance what to expect and why. Think about your language, too. For example, calling substitutes ‘finishers’ can make players feel more valued if they’re not starting.
