A commentary: Aspiring athletes’ transition literacy and beyond

Abstract

In this commentary we take a scientist practitioner’s perspective to briefly overview major approaches in career transition research and interventions, summarize a quintessence of athletes’ career transition knowledge in the form of transition literacy postulates, and proceed with how transition literacy can become a resource for athletes, coaches, parents, sport psychology and allied professionals seeking to facilitate athletes’ pursuits of career excellence. We suggest considering transition literacy as (a) the basic transition competencies derived from related theories and research and (b) an important part of athletes’ and their supporters’ broad-based expertise, in addition to more commonly considered performance related knowledge and skills. Distilled from major review papers on athletes’ career development and transitions, the transition literacy postulates also termed the “golden rules” of transitions address the roles of transitions in athlete career development, transition processes, phases, pathways and outcomes, as well athletes’ environments and transition support. We conclude with recommendations of how transition literacy can be a useful part in athletes’, parents’ and coaches’ education and thereafter, provide recommendations for the education of sport psychology professionals. © 2025 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.