ABSTRACT
It is well accepted that movement competence, and a proficient foundation of fundamental motor skills, underpins participation in physical activity from elite sports performance to habitual patterns of daily movement. In short, general movement ability (GMA) appears to be a strong contender as a causal factor in sport participation and performance. This chapter provides principles and exemplar syllabi for building and maintaining the general movement ability that drives progression and performance in sport. Overviews of how this would work in practice and guidelines for implementation into talent development environments are provided – essentially, what are the psychological and physical precursors of long-term engagement and performance in sport and how can these be integrated into the early opportunities we provide for young people?
