ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on talent identification concerns a definition of talent, which has important implications for both models of talent identification and how this concept is investigated. Determining the implicit or explicit knowledge coaches use in making talent selection decisions might be particularly useful in determining the depth and breadth of factors used to define talent. In the early years of research in this field, motor skill learning and resistance or endurance training were prominent topics. One recent development within talent identification and development domains, which is reflected in this collection, has been a shift in focus towards designing an optimal environment to promote athlete development and skill acquisition. Given the importance of considering individual variability, unique environmental characteristics, and that development is the product of bidirectional interactions between an individual and their environment, one of the challenges is the extent to which an "optimal environment" is generalizable to different athletes.
