Testing the motor abilities of young athletes should provide you with insights into the effectiveness of the training program you’re implementing with them.
It can also answer questions like why certain young athletes fail to perform as expected on the field. For example, imagine a young basketball player who consistently avoids driving to the basket after receiving the ball in offense. The reason could be that they subconsciously know they lack the speed and explosiveness to gain an advantage over their opponent. Likely, below-average results in speed and explosiveness tests for that athlete would confirm the direction in which their future training should be focused.
Deciding to conduct testing is not simple. Several "obstacles" often arise:
- Time required for testing. Testing typically takes place during regular practice sessions, which coaches often view as wasted time since testing doesn’t directly improve sports performance like training does (this was an issue I struggled with for years).
- How to organize testing effectively to avoid congestion, delays, problems, or injuries.
- Choosing the right tests. Should you select tests related to the functional-motor demands of a specific sport, or is it more important to consider the developmental stage of the young athletes?
- How to compare test results if you don’t have access to average values for age, gender, and fitness levels?
- When and how often to conduct testing? Before, during, or after the season?
Let’s tackle these one by one.
You’ve likely felt that there’s never enough time for training. A critical game or competition is approaching, and developing technical-tactical skills becomes the priority. However, it’s essential to make time for testing. Test results will reveal whether your training plan needs adjustments, optimization, or even a complete overhaul.
It’s crucial to clearly explain the tests to young athletes, and if necessary, allow trial runs for specific tests. Ideally, each test should have a dedicated evaluator. This allows for testing to be organized in a "station" format (1 test = 1 station). Athletes are grouped into small teams of 3–5 participants, with each group starting at a different station. Once all groups complete their initial station, they rotate to the next one. With 5–10 minutes per station and quick transitions, you can achieve highly efficient testing.
Choosing the right tests:
In addition to validity and accuracy, tests should be concise, practical, and relevant to sports performance. Tests should be short due to previously explained time constraints. Practicality means choosing tests that don’t require expensive equipment or lab access. Coaches often stick to familiar tests, even if they lack strong correlation to sports performance.
For example, measuring the number of sit-ups in a minute is a common test. However, it doesn’t measure the functional strength of the deep muscles responsible for core stabilization. Thus, this test has little correlation with sports performance and isn’t worth conducting.
Comparing test results:
If you lack access to average values for a specific test based on age, gender, or fitness level, you can compare results with previous testing data from your athletes. You can also compare test results within your group of athletes. Alternatively, testing can be used to qualitatively assess the efficiency of movement.
For example, during a speed test (20m sprint), you can observe mechanics like arm and leg movement, core stability, and head position to identify irregularities. Record these observations in a designated "test performance notes" section. For instance, if an athlete scores poorly on the speed test and you note they “ran as if on eggshells” (instead of generating forceful ground reaction through a powerful push-off), this qualitative feedback will guide targeted interventions to address the identified shortcomings.
When and how often to test:
Testing once is as good as not testing at all. However, over-testing should also be avoided, as repeated tests might become learned skills (especially undesirable in coordination tests). An optimal recommendation is four times a year: at the beginning of the preparation period, at its end, mid-season, and near the season’s conclusion.
Finally, the most important point: If testing results aren’t used to improve the existing training program, the entire testing process loses its purpose.
If you want to learn more about why and when to conduct testing, how to select diagnostic procedures based on sensitive growth and development phases, and for a detailed description (with photos of young athletes performing them) of 10 Motor Ability Tests Suitable for Young Athletes Aged 6–18, check out the book Formula for Sports Success 2.
Remove all barriers to effective testing of coordination, functional strength, speed, agility, and explosiveness in the young athletes you train.
-written by Igor Macner
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