In this article, we’ll explore a periodization model presented in a 2019 article. The idea behind this model is to apply concepts from motor learning and motor control to the development and maintenance of motor skills. In other words, the main focus is on skills—not directly on physical capacities, which are usually the foundation of most traditional periodization models.
Otte, Millar, and Klat (2019) proposed a periodization model aimed at technical development. The authors describe the phases and how to effectively apply the program. In this model, training is divided into three phases:
- Coordination
- Skill Adaptability
- Performance
Coordination Phase
Coordination is the first phase and can be likened to a preparatory period. The goal here is the basic acquisition of motor repertoire according to the task components. For example, this phase emphasizes learning new motor gestures through simple exercises. In summary, in this phase, you want to give the learner simplified versions of the task.
Skill Adaptability Phase
The second phase focuses on learning specific skills and applying them in more complex and sport-specific contexts. This phase includes three subphases:
- Movement Variability Subphase: Technique is explored with variations—e.g., using balls of different weights, angles, and other modifications.
- Complex Training Subphase: Complexity increases compared to the previous subphase, emphasizing the execution of two or more actions simultaneously.
- Team-Based Training Subphase: Sport-specific situations are replicated in reduced formats, such as small-sided games.
Performance Phase
The performance phase is the final stage of the model. It aims to replicate actual sport situations, where the focus shifts from technique to real-world performance. This phase builds on the previous one, with small-sided games included but on a larger scale and even more closely resembling actual matches.
Blue = Coordination
Green = Skill Adaptability
Red = Performance
The vertical axis represents exercise complexity.
Long-Term Application
The article also explains how to systematize long-term training using these phases and subphases. Generally, in the early stages (far from competitions), coordination and exploration of new movements and techniques are prioritized—similar to general preparation in traditional periodization. During the season, and even within weekly and daily training sessions, there’s an alternation between adaptability and performance phases. Naturally, as matches approach, the emphasis shifts to performance—high-representativeness exercises that closely mimic real game situations, including tactical scenarios and other sport-specific contexts.
Putting It Into Practice
For team sports, a periodization model that considers technique may be more suitable than traditional models. However, the authors don’t provide specific recommendations for how to systematize these components. Periodization requires organizing training into periods, varying loads and objectives to maximize performance at the desired time. This model still needs testing to determine how to apply ideal overload, reach peak performance, and set criteria for program design. For instance, there are different types of motor skills—continuous, serial, and discrete—which develop in specific ways and should be trained differently.
Reference
1. Otte FW, Millar S-K, Klatt S. Skill Training Periodization in “Specialist” Sports Coaching—An Introduction of the “PoST” Framework for Skill Development. Front Sport Act Living. 2019;1(November):1–17.
