Revisiting our series of PEdagogical models one-pagers from back in 2024, we thought we would add to the collection. To follow up on the book review blog published yesterday by Jon Campbell, this one pager aims to support teachers to understand and implement ideas from the athletic skill model.
The Athletic Skills Model (ASM) shifts the focus from “training for a specific sport” to “developing a versatile mover.” It was developed in the Netherlands (notably by René Wormhoudt at Ajax FC) to combat the risks of early specialization, such as burnout and injury.
1. The Philosophy: “First an Athlete, Then a Specialist”
The ASM follows a non-linear pathway. Instead of forcing a child to pick one sport at age seven, it encourages them to become a versatile athlete first. This “broad base” of movement intelligence ensures that when they do eventually specialize, they have a much higher ceiling for performance and are more resilient to physical stress.
2. The Three Building Blocks
The model organizes physical education into three distinct categories:
| Building Block | Focus | Examples |
| Basic Movement Skills | The “Fundamental 10” movements. | Balancing, falling, kicking, jumping, and even “music in motion.” |
| Coordinative Abilities | The quality of the movement. | Rhythm, spatial orientation, reaction time, and balance. |
| Conditions of Movement | The physical requirements. | Agility, flexibility, stability, power, and endurance. |
3. The Concept of “Donor Sports”
This is one of the most unique parts of the ASM. A Donor Sport is an activity that provides transferable skills to a “target” sport.
- Example: A young footballer might practice Judo as a “donor.” Why? Because Judo teaches them how to fall safely, how to use their core for balance and how to handle physical contact. All of which make them a better, safer footballer.
Why It Matters in PE
- Injury Prevention: Diverse movement prevents the repetitive strain common in single-sport athletes.
- Physical Literacy: It ensures students feel competent in many environments (land, water, ice, air), making them more likely to stay active for life.
- Creativity: By exposing kids to different sets of rules and movements, they become better “problem solvers” on the field or court.
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