At the end of last year, I read an article in a daily newspaper explaining why students from my country consistently score among the worst on international PISA tests—exams that assess high school students' knowledge of mathematics. Curious to understand how these tests expose that 30% of fifteen-year-olds are practically mathematically illiterate, I went online and downloaded a few sample tasks from a German portal. I solved them in no time… (I was once the 8th-grade math champion in my hometown, after all).
It didn’t take long to realize why our students perform so poorly. They’re overloaded with complex trigonometric equations, logarithmic functions, and rational and irrational numbers, yet they’re rarely given the chance to apply mathematics to real-life situations. When do they ever pause, concentrate, and use their own logic to solve practical problems?
To cut a long story short—the key to improving PISA test results is clear: IMPROVE TEACHING SKILLS.
But what does this have to do with sports?
I’m sharing this with you in a blog dedicated to coaches of young athletes aged 6–18 because the same problem exists in youth sports. This time, it’s not about mathematical literacy—it’s about motor skills, their underlying motor abilities, and how they connect to athletic literacy.
Are outdated coaching methods to blame? Many coaches still rely on approaches that aren’t suitable for today’s generation of kids.
If there were a "PISA test" for young athletes, it would probably include tasks like:
Proper running technique
Acceleration and deceleration
Changing speed and direction efficiently
Kinesthetic differentiation
Balance and coordination between body parts
Core strength
Proper landing technique
Explosive movements
How would your athletes perform on such a test?
What level of "sports literacy" would they demonstrate? Would they be well-prepared or struggle to meet the demands?
The Solution: Focus on Coaching Skills
Just like in education, the key to improving athletic development lies in improving coaching skills. As coaches, it’s our responsibility to adapt and grow with each generation of athletes.
To support you in that process, I’ve created the books Formula for Sports Success 1 and Formula for Sports Success 2, along with the video series Integral Conditioning Training for Young Athletes. These resources offer modern approaches and practical tools for developing well-rounded, resilient athletes.
Long-Term Development vs. Short-Term Goals
Here’s a question to consider: Is the purpose of training young athletes to mold them as early as possible to meet our short-term goals—or even the desires of their parents?
Or is it better to take a different path? A path where we focus on long-term development and help each child unlock their true athletic potential. Every child has hidden talents waiting to be discovered—if only we’re willing to guide them in the right way.
Reflect on your coaching practices. Adapt, learn, and grow with your athletes.
The future of their sports literacy depends on it.
Wishing you success,
Igor Macner
