Donna Marsh O’Connor

Abstract This case study seeks to understand the dynamic interplay of environmental features within a talent development setting of a German Olympic sport. Adopting a holistic perspective, this study incorporates multiple stakeholder perspectives at the micro- (e.g., coaches) and macro-level (e.g., sport directors), examines both functional and dysfunctional TDE features, and focuses on holistic development outcomes (i.e., performance and personal development, wellbeing).

We used systematic observation tools to explore the structure (i.e., activity and inactivity) and sequencing (i.e., the types of activities used) of football coaching sessions in Australia following the implementation of a new National Curriculum. Youth soccer coaches (n = 34), coaching within the Skill Acquisition (U11–U13 n = 19) and Game Training (U14–U17 n = 15) phases of the Football Federation Australia National Curriculum participated.