The aim of the module is to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for the development of an understanding of the key factors that contribute to identifying and nurturing talented athletes in football.

Indicative content would currently come under the disciplines of ‘Talent Identification’ or ‘Expertise’, or both as is more commonly the case. The content will include the topics outlined below and be contextualised to football. However, the topics will vary according to topical issues in the area that are apparent at the time of delivery.

Amongst others, here are a series of suggested teaching topics: Nature vs. Nurture; Talent ID in Football - The F.A’s 4 Corner Model of Talent ID; Observation, Perception and Bias; International Talent ID Programmes; The Current Research Landscape of Talent ID; Rules and Regulations of Talent ID in Football; Agents in Football: Blessing or a Curse; Early Specialisation; 10,000 Hour Rule of Expertise; Speeding Up the Acquisition Process; Ages and Stages of Expertise and Relative Age Issues; Development of Expertise: The Role of Coaching, Families, and Cultural Contexts; The Role of Coaches and Mentors Who Work with Elite Performers; The Aspects of Performance That Best Reflect Expert Behaviours in Football; The Elite Football Players Journey.

There are 2 pieces of summative assessment associated with this module. Each piece of assessment does not have to be passed in order to pass the module overall. Details of the assessment(s) are below:

Assessment 1 (LO1 + LO2): Web-based Blog
The first assessment will be in the form of a web-based blog (50% of the module grade/2000 word limit). The blog will focus upon understanding and critiquing talent identification and the various concepts, theories and player pathways associated with the topic.

Assessment 2 (LO3 + LO4): Video Diary (FINAL ASSESSMENT)
The second assessment will be in the form of a video diary (50% of the module grade/notional equivalent to 2000 words). The video diary will focus upon the development of expertise in football and, through the use of contemporary research, identify how the theoretical and practical landscape has developed in recent years.

The pass criteria is explained within the course handbook. All students must attempt both of the assessments, with 40% as the criteria at which a pass will be achieved. If students do not submit, or fail to achieve a pass grade in their assessment, then the ramifications of this are detailed in the course handbook.

Additional Assessment Details (include formative feedback / assessment):
Students will be given the opportunity to set-up an account for a web-blog within a seminar. This will enable the students to be prepared for their summative assessment and receive tutor feedback on their presentation skills. Furthermore, students will be given the opportunity to reflect upon an aspect of Talent ID and record this in a video-diary format in a seminar, to prepare students for the video-diary assessment. This will be observed by peers and feedback provided by both peers and tutor. Informal tutor feedback will be provided during seminars.

Laver, D., Brammer, J. (2016) Talent Identification In Football: Performance vs Potential, Create Space Independent Publishing Platform, U.K.

Baker, J. (2011) Talent Identification and Development in Sport: International Perspectives, Routledge, U.K.

Epstein, D. (2014) The Sports Gene: Talent, Practice and the Truth about Success, Yellow Jersey, U.K.

Farrow, D., Baker, J., MacMahon, C. (2013) Developing Sport Expertise (2nd Ed.), Routledge, U.K

Lecture Theatre with SMARTboard and projector
Seminar classroom with internet connectivity
Appropriately and adequately stocked textbooks in the library (see above)
Performance Analysis software such as Focus/ProZone/Dartfish
Blackboard module site
Adequately stocked bibs, footballs, and cones in the sports store

1. Demonstrate a systematic understanding and detailed knowledge of the concepts, theories and rationale of talent identification within football.
Knowledge and Understanding

2. Critically evaluate current research on player pathways/models and make judgements on how these are used by various football practitioners.
Analysis; Knowledge and Understanding; Application

3. Communicate and analyse information, ideas, and problems surrounding the development of expertise in football performers.
Communication; Analysis

4. Apply knowledge and understanding, whilst devising and sustaining arguments surrounding contemporary research, of expert performance in a football related context.
Application; Knowledge and Understanding

This module incorporates a blended learning approach, which incorporates a series of taught tutor-lead lectures, with seminar and practical sessions to complement. The online aspect of delivery will be via online-learning activities utilising Blackboard. All sessions will cover the central topics and indicative content of the module. Seminars will be utilised for discussing, analysing and critiquing issues surrounding the central content. Practical sessions will be used to apply key concepts and theories in to a practical environment. Students will complete tutor-directed 'Independent Learning Activites' (ILAs) on Blackboard as part of a blended approach, activities such as video-lectures, ctique of contemporary approaches, observation of experienced coaches and their coaching philosophy/practice in relation to Talent ID. Students must also conduct their own coaching sessions/assist an experienced coach to further develop skills, knowledge and understanding pertaining to talent development and identification. Independent reading will be required around the subject, as well as preparatory activities for the completion of the assessment (‘blog’ and a ‘video-diary’). Students will be required to reflect upon assessment feedback, reflecting upon personal strengths and weaknesses, and identifying future needs. Student-lead independent study will be required specifically for assessment preparation.

The aim of the module is to provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop an understanding of the key factors that contribute to identifying and nurturing talented athletes in football.

Module content would currently come under the disciplines of ‘Talent Identification’ or ‘Expertise’, or both as is more commonly the case. The content will include the topics outlined below and be contextualised to football. However, this will vary according to current issues in the area that are apparent at the time of delivery.

Amongst others, here are a series of suggested teaching topics: Nature vs. Nurture; Talent ID in Football - The F.A’s 4 Corner Model of Talent ID; Observation, Perception and Bias; International Talent ID Programmes; The Current Research Landscape of Talent ID; Rules and Regulations of Talent ID in Football; Agents in Football: Blessing or a Curse; Early Specialisation; 10,000 Hour Rule of Expertise; Speeding Up the Acquisition Process; Ages and Stages of Expertise and Relative Age Issues; Development of Expertise: The Role of Coaching, Families, and Cultural Contexts; The Role of Coaches and Mentors Who Work with Elite Performers; The Aspects of Performance That Best Reflect Expert Behaviours in Football; The Elite Football Players Journey.