This past weekend, I had an insightful conversation with a leading figure in Player Development from a Major League Baseball (MLB) organization. It became clear that there is still a significant lack of awareness regarding the impact of individual motor preferences on athlete development.

When I asked about their approach to individualizing player development, the response was, “We individualize based on movement strategies and biomechanics we observe in various physical outputs.” And therein lies the challenge.

While technology can track movement execution, it cannot capture the unique method each athlete uses to produce that movement. That’s a key limitation in today’s Player Development systems.

Motor preferences are essential for understanding how athletes process and execute movement. A movement isn’t just a mechanical output—it’s a personal expression shaped by how the body perceives and interacts with its environment.

Each athlete is unique, and any software cannot measure their individual motor preferences. Understanding and acknowledging these preferences is the only way to guide athletes within their unique framework.

Yet, even today, the focus remains solely on the “standard culture” of optimal movement patterns, and players are expected to conform to this ideal.

It’s time to evolve how we approach player development, focusing not just on biomechanics, but on the internal processes that drive movement.

Let’s move beyond outdated standards and help athletes unlock their true potential by honouring their individuality!