Background/Purpose Research involving the development of expertise has established two patterns: early specialization (Ericsson et al., 1993) and early diversification (Côté, 1999). Research has not established the developmental patterns for American female athletes. The purpose of this study is to examine the developmental histories of female collegiate basketball players to determine which pattern is most appropriate.
Method Current female collegiate basketball players (N = 72) completed a retrospective questionnaire that examined their sports history, including game participation, practice activities and hours of practice in five basketball venues (recreational leagues, AAU participation, scholastic participation, private training, and participation in pick-up games). Players also rated 32 practice activities on relevance, effort, concentration, and enjoyment.
Analysis/Results The mean total amount of practice at each age was descriptively analyzed to determine specific patterns of practice for each venue and during each stage of development. Estimates of accumulated hours of practice (M = 3, 865) were lower than the 10,000 hours suggested as necessary to reach expertise. The most relevant and enjoyable practice activities included team scrimmages and shooting alone.
Conclusions Findings support Ericsson's predictions of early specialization with increasing hours of practice across age. Player development appeared to be facilitated by both focused practice and playful activities, as predicted by Côté. Findings more closely resemble the early engagement hypothesis (Ford et al., 2009) that suggests early entry into the primary sport and participation in both deliberate practice and deliberate play activities.