Lecture 30: Deliberate Play

Question 1

Define deliberate play.

Answer 1

A form of play with rules
Primary objective is fun
Development process

Question 2

What are the key characteristics of deliberate play?

Answer 2

Main focus is fun 
Some teacher monitoring  
No feedback 
Immediate gratification 
Focus on process 
Enjoyment is inherent to the activity

Question 3

Describe the monotic relationship between deliberate play and deliberate practice.

Answer 3

Deliberate play is high during the early stages of sport participation model
Deliberate practice is high at the later stages of the sport participation model

Question 4

Do elite performers specialise at an earlier age?

Answer 4

Mixed findings

They do in sports where peak is early on (gymnastics)

Question 5

What did Ford et al. suggest about children who engage in more play between ages 6 and 12?

Answer 5

More likely to become expert athletes

Question 6

Why did Ford et al. suggest play is important?

Answer 6

Improves intrinsic motivation

Improves game intelligence

Question 7

What are the implications of a) early play b) early specialisation?

Answer 7

Early play:

Exceptional motivation
Early learning

Early specialisation:

Decreased IM
Increased burnout/dropout

Question 8

According to Pellegrini & Smith, what are the positive outcomes of play?

Answer 8

Increased motor control
Increased economy of movement, strength, endurance
Increased emotional regulation and cognitive functioning

Question 9

What did Cote et al. outline as the key benefits of play?

Answer 9

Task engagement time 
No equipment 
No cap on the number of people 
Players of different ages and sizes 
Any space will do 
No officials

Question 10

What did Cote et al. identify as the probable outcome of: a) recreational years b) investment years c) early specialisation?

Answer 10

RY: enhanced physical health and enjoyment

IY: enhanced physical health and enjoyment

ES: decrease in enjoyment and physical health

Question 11

How does the Composite Youth Model differ from the Sports Participation Model?

Answer 11

Provides a hollistic, flexible approach for practitioners

SPM was based on athlete interviews and provided no insight for coaches

Question 12

What do the: font size; MC; SSS and FMS refer to in the Composite Youth model?

Answer 12

Font size = importance
MC = metabolic component
SSS = sport-specific skill
FMS = fundamental movement skill

Question 13

What are the key adaptations to the Composite Youth Model?

Answer 13

Early childhood known as investment years
Transition between recreational years and specialising years
Structured approach to psychosocial development