A Complete Development Model
A modern player-development framework built around how kids actually learn — through engaging game-based activities, innovative session design, and purposeful skill development.
Most youth sports models fall into the trap of creating boring, drill-heavy practices where kids stand in lines working on isolated skills with no pressure, no opponents, and no real decision-making. While these sessions may look organized, they rarely prepare athletes for the speed, unpredictability, and chaos of real games.
The reality is that sport is messy — and development should be too. Players learn best when they are required to read situations, solve problems, and execute skills under realistic conditions. That’s why we built the Play · Teach · Compete Model: a modern development framework that blends game-based learning, innovative session design, and purposeful skill development to create an engaging environment where new skills transfer to games and athletes actually enjoy practices.
Often called Game-Based or Constraints-Led Approach, players develop skills through activities that closely mirror real competition, while coaches add constraints (space, numbers, rules) to emphasize skills that transfer to games.
Our sessions are designed to create a high number of repetitions, ensuring players get maximum touches, movement, and opportunities to develop their skills. Athletes are constantly required to make decisions and solve problems to accelerate learning.
Great coaches don't stand on the sidelines - they're involved, demonstrating, and moving with the kids. They create an environment that's dynamic and purposeful through high-energy, high-repetition practices where every minute counts.
Some highly technical skills like skating and stickwork require more focused attention. When needed, we use short, targeted technical work — always connected back to game situations so players know when and why to use the skill.
A consistent framework — delivered through multiple session structures.
Following the Play · Teach · Compete principles, sessions can be designed in different formats depending on age, sport, and the learning goal — while keeping game-context and decision-making at the center.
Station-Based
Rotating stations that target specific skills while maintaining game-like intent and clear coaching cues.
Constraints-Led
Rules, space, time, and numbers are adjusted to guide behavior and shape the decisions we want to see.
Game-Activity-Game
Start with play, introduce a teaching point or concept, then return to play so learning transfers immediately.
Scaffolding
Progressions that build from simple to complex so athletes grow confidence before adding more chaos.
Team Concepts
For older players: team tactics, spacing, and systems layered into competitive game-based environments.
Sport-Specific Delivery
Across TOP Hockey, TOP Soccer, and TOP Lacrosse, the Play · Teach · Compete connects our sessions and creates the optimal development environment for kids to learn, grow, and improve.
TOP Hockey
- High-tempo, small-area games to maximize touches and decisions.
- Teaching moments focused on scanning, timing, and execution under pressure.
- Purposeful skill work (skating, shooting, stickhandling) tied back into game play.
TOP Soccer
- Game-based activities to develop awareness and problem-solving.
- Constraints that teach spacing, support, and speed of play.
- Teaching in the moment around possession, transitions, and finishing.
TOP Lacrosse
- Small-area and advantage games to build stick skill under pressure.
- Constraints that teach movement, spacing, and quick decision-making.
- Purposeful skills like catching and shooting, always tied back to games.
Hear From The Experts on the Benefits of Game-Based Learning
Research and leading experts across multiple sports consistently show that athletes learn faster, retain skills longer, and perform better in competition when training environments reflect the realities of the game.
“If we want skills to show up in games, they must be learned in game-like situations. Small-area games create more decisions, more touches, and better learning than traditional drills ever will.”
“Training must look like the game. If you want players to make good decisions in matches, they must practice making decisions every day. Football is not about drills — it is about understanding situations.”
“We want players who can think the game. That comes from practice environments that force decisions, adaptability, and creativity. The game should always be the teacher.”
“Lacrosse is a game of reads, timing, and decisions. Players don’t develop those skills standing in lines. The best learning happens when training looks and feels like the game, where athletes are forced to adapt in real time.”