Talent Identification

Let’s talk about Talent Identification. Most countries, all professional clubs, and even a lot of schools do some form of talent identification. And most of them are doing it wrong. Let me explain. If you ask the world’s 100 greatest coaches this question: “What does it take to be great — to be a champion — in your sport?” The answers will include: * Resilience. * Commitment. * Dedication. * Persistence. * Willing to do whatever it takes. * Willingly do more than anyone else is prepared to do. * Passion. * Self-determination. * Integrity. * A love of learning and improvement. None of these 100 coaches will say “a large VO2 Max” or “long levers” or “fast twitch muscle fibres.” Yet look at what most talent ID programs actually test: * Sprints. * Agility. * Endurance. * Jumping. * Flexibility. Physical. Physical. Physical. If you have a talent ID program that includes all the usual suspects — but you’re not testing for the things that really matter — you’re making two of the greatest mistakes you can make in sport: * You will overlook many of the kids who have the potential to be great. * You will select a lot of kids who have the raw physical capabilities to succeed but lack the character, values and virtues essential to get to the top. In other words — you miss the right kids and select the wrong ones. The irony? We know what makes champions. Every great coach will tell you. But our talent ID systems measure the opposite. We test bodies. We should be looking for hearts. What would your talent ID program look like if you tested for character first? 📚 I wrote the book on this: The Talent Myth — Why Character Beats Genetics Every Time https://www.amazon.com/Talent-Myth-Character-Beats-Genetics/dp/0987155792 Sports Thoughts is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit waynegoldsmith.substack.com/subscribe