okansas.blogspot.com Occassional thoughts about orienteering
Monday, March 03, 2008
Spotting the gifted
From an interview with U.S. women's gymnastics coach Martha Karolyi (published in the NY Times "Play" magazine):
Can you tell a gifted gymnast from the beginning?
One of the tests that we have for little kids is to put them on the high beam and make them walk and run across. It's not a complicated movement, but immediately you see the fear factor. If you have a strong fear factor, you will never be a good gymnast.
I wonder if there is a good, simple test to spot good orienteers even when they have very little experience, perhaps when they've completed just one simple course. Obviously completing a simple course quickly is one indicator. I wonder if there are differences in what a first-time orienteer does immediately after finishing, or what they say about their race....
That test is a filter to spot the untalented. Spotting the talented is much harder. What you need to detect is: 1. Talent 2. Enthusiasm for training that will endure the teen rebellion period. 3. A body that will withstand basic training without breaking down. That is a tall order.
