Pacey Performance Podcast

#Bitesize - Managing tendinopothies with blood flow restriction training and isometrics with Luke Vella

Luke featured on episode #357 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed -

• Symptoms of tendinopothy
• Managing tendinopothies with isometric training
• Managing tendinopothies with blood flow restriction training 

Check out the full episode with Luke here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/rethinking-rehabilitation-tendon-health-and-the-rise-of-blood-flow-restriction-training/

This episode is supported by RockDaisy, the only FREE AMS on the market. AMS Lite features reporting capabilities, questionnaires and forms, alerts and communication, data sharing, data visualisation and calendar views.

Maximal aerobic speed vs. Tempo: Which is optimal for team sport aerobic fitness (?) with Nathan Heaney

In the week's episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, Rob talks to Nathan Heaney, The Conditioning Consultant.

The topic of the discussion is one that often spills over into arguments on social media and that's maximal aerobic speed (MAS) versus tempo running. In this episode Nathan clarifies what MAS actually is and isn't as well as giving us an insight into the different ways of getting MAS data. That is followed up with him giving us a great insight into how he individualises aerobic training based on MAS.

The second half of the episode has Nathan giving the other side of the argument and explaining the pros and cons of tempo training. Although not Nathan's preferred choice, he explains the adaptations that coaches may be seeking by using tempo running (vs MAS) and why this actually goes against much of the literature on aerobic training with elite athletes.

Talking points -

• Importance of aerobic fitness for team sport athletes
• What MAS is and isn't • Different types of HIIT and when each one may be used
• Common misconceptions and over focus on certain methods (Eurofit)
• How can we use MAS to prescribe conditioning sessions for team sport athletes
• Where does anaerobic speed reserve fits in
• What do we mean by tempo running?
• What adaptations are practitioners looking for when employing tempo running and what are the realities?
• Its use for track athletes, endurance athletes and team sport athletes
• Why would a practitioner live in one camp (MAS or tempo) or the other?

#Bitesize - The current state of hamstring rehabilitation practice with Jurdan Mendiguchia

Jurdan featured on episode #266 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where she discussed -

• Why hamstring injury rehab has been fixated on knee flexor strength
• Why sprint mechanics need more attention
• The role of the trunk in hamstring injuries

Check out the full episode with Jurdan here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/pacey-performance-podcast-266-jurdan-mendiguchia/

This episode is supported by RockDaisy, the only FREE AMS on the market. AMS Lite features reporting capabilities, questionnaires and forms, alerts and communication, data sharing, data visualisation and calendar views.

Maximising the use of eccentric training for sports performance with Pete Burridge, Mike Young and John Wagle

This week's episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast is with Pete Burridge, Mike Young and John Wagle talking about all things eccentric training and testing.

This was originally recorded last year as part of the Sportsmith Live series where we get three experts to chat about one area and coaches can tune in to ask their own questions. It is available on Sportsmith but the information is so good that we wanted to put it out as a podcast.

We all know the benefits of eccentric focused training. However, how do we fit it within our programme due to the negative responses athletes often feel with this type of training? John gives us a great overview here.

Mike then dives into flywheel training, a method of training which has been around for a long time but is really starting to give coaches incredible information due to advancements in technology. So what options do we have and what are the benefits and limitations of this type of eccentric training?

If you don't have flywheels or budget for any fancy equipment, how can coaches use other eccentric methods to overload their athletes? Pete dives into this area to explain how you can manually overload and incorporate accentuated eccentric loading (AEL) into a programme.

Talking points - 

• The benefits of eccentric focused training and links to dynamic performance 

• Fitting eccentrics into the wider programme

• Flywheel training - benefits and limitations

• Flywheel tech options

• Other ways to load eccentrically

• Manually overloaded and accentuated eccentric loading (AEL)

A critique of the “knees over toes” phenomenon and maximising cross training prescription with Nathan Kiely

This week on the Pacey Performance Podcast sees Rob speaking to Speed and Rehab Coach at the Brisbane Broncos, Nathan Kiely.  

Nathan recently wrote a piece for Sportsmith on the ”knees over toes” movement which he dives deeper into in this episode. Why has this gained so much momentum, particularly on Instagram and how we can be better at being critical when other things like this come along.

He also gives his views and recommendations when it comes to cross training and how you can use it effectively during rehab and also with athletes who need off feet options in season.

Main talking points - 

• Knees over toes (KOT)
• What is it?
• Nathan's opinions on it
• KOT split squat - the claims
• Transfer to sports performance? Link to acceleration? 
• Cross training
• Equipment choices - rower vs Watt Bike
• Where does it fit in the calendar?
• Benefits of cross training
• Focus of extensive vs intensive - reasons
• Creating benchmarks
• Example sessions
• Speed training in rugby
• What has worked for you in rugby
• What hasn't worked as well as you thought

#Bitesize - Managing and monitoring the menstrual cycle in World Cup winning athletes with Dawn Scott

Dawn featured on episode #256 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where she discussed -

• Why Dawn chose to pursue menstrual cycle monitoring
• How they did it during the World Cup
• What results they saw and what interventions that were able to implement because of it

Check out the full episode with Dawn here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/pacey-performance-podcast-256-dawn-scott/

This episode is supported by RockDaisy, the only FREE AMS on the market. AMS Lite features reporting capabilities, questionnaires and forms, alerts and communication, data sharing, data visualisation and calendar views.

Anaerobic speed reserve: Individualising conditioning in team sports with Phil Scott

This week's guest on the Pacey Performance Podcast is Men's Strength and Conditioning Coach for England Cricket, Phil Scott. Phil comes on the podcast to discuss why he turned to the anaerobic speed reserve to enable him to better inidividualise aerobic training.

So what is the anaerobic speed reserve? Phil gives us a great overview of what it is and what questions were left unanswered before he was introduced to it. But its not only about what it is but how its used in practice and Phil is living it everyday with the men's national cricket team here in England. We dive into the details of how a profile is built, how he segmented his athletes into three profiles; aerobic, speed and mixed. That then leads us into a discussion around what each profiles characteristics are and how they are best trained.

If you're wanting to know more about how you can better individualise training using the anaerobic speed reserve, press play on your chosen podcast player.

Today's talking points -

• How physical preparation has changed in cricket
• An introduction to the anaerobic speed reserve
• What question does the anaerobic speed reserve answer with how you condition athletes?
• How to conduct an ASR profile
• Using data to individualise training
• Creating your own cut offs and how others can do the same in their sport
• Aerobic profile - what training looks like
• Mixed profile - what training looks like
• Speed profile - what training looks like

#Bitesize - Testing changing of direction ability: Is it worthwhile with Alistair McBurnie and Tom Dos’Santos

Tom and Alistair featured on episode #381 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where they discussed -

• Why change of direction testing has become less fashionable in recent years
• Why there is a need for testing change of direction ability 
• What are the most suitable tests to use

Check out the full episode with Tom and Alistair here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/change-of-direction-ability-testing-developing-physical-qualities-and-maximising-on-field-transfer/

This episode is supported by RockDaisy, the only FREE AMS on the market. AMS Lite features reporting capabilities, questionnaires and forms, alerts and communication, data sharing, data visualisation and calendar views.

Training the lower limb to improve performance and reduce injury risk with Colin Griffin

This week on the Pacey Performance Podcast has Rob speaking to Foot & Ankle Rehabilitation Lead and the Sports Surgery Clinic in Dublin, Colin Griffin. Colin is an Olympian turned accredited strength and conditioning coach, specialising in the rehabilitation of the foot and ankle.

This episode references and dives deeper into some of the concepts presented in this article that Colin wrote for Sportsmith earlier in the year. We chat about why the foot, ankle and calf have traditionally been neglected when it comes to performance enhancement. Colin then details his testing procedures so coaches and clinicians can get a better idea of how much time they need to dedicate to this area. On the back of those tests, Colin explains the interventions he would use to develop each given area.

As well as looking at performance enhancement, he takes us through various lower limb rehabilitation examples, going through exercise selection, sets and reps. He finishes off with some insights into his PhD and a novel test that is showing encouraging signs.

If you want to listen to Colin, press play on your chosen podcast player.

Today's topics -

• Assessing calf strength
• Reasons for recent increases in calf injuries
• Developing calf strength 
• Foot strength assessments
• Developing exercises for the foot
• Is isolated foot work needed for all athletes
• Developing reactive strength during the return to play process
• Reactive strength assessments, progressions and regressions
• Explosive strength assessments, progressions and regressions

#Bitesize - Using run-specific isometric strength training with youth athletes and different populations with Alex Natera

Alex featured on episode #392 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed -

• How you can use run-specific isometric strength training (RSIST) with youth athletes
• Which isometric exercises to use (and not use) with youth athletes
• Programming considerations when using isometric strength training

Check out the full episode with Alex here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/isometric-training-assessments-progressions-and-regressions-and-programming-for-different-populations/

This episode is supported by RockDaisy, the only FREE AMS on the market. AMS Lite features reporting capabilities, questionnaires and forms, alerts and communication, data sharing, data visualisation and calendar views.

Data science, data visualisation and evaluating the effectiveness of a programme with Johann Windt

This week's guest on the Pacey Performance Podcast is Johann Windt. Johann is Head of Performance Data Science at the Vancouver Whitecaps in MLS. He is a strength and conditioning coach turned data scientist and it is this transition which makes Johann such an interesting person to speak to. He is able to speak "coach". He "gets" what happens in the weightroom and on the field and is able to integrate that mindset into his discussions on complex topics.

In this episode he chats with Rob about what data science actually is. It has gained a perception of being a mystical thing that goes on in dark rooms with staff who don't speak to each other. However, when done well its quite the opposite. He speaks about how data science is being used to help every other department at the club answer important questions. "Is this piece of technology valid?" or "what effect is this intervention having on our players?"

He finishes off the conversation by reflecting on his recent article for Sportsmith on data visualisation and explaining the principle of data being "not ugly and efficient".

If you're interested in making the most of the data that you collect with your team, hit play on your chosen podcast player now.

Today's talking points -

• Where a data scientist fits within an organisation?
• For those that don’t have a data scientist, what are the minimum data skills required across a sports science department?
• Technology evaluation and linking research and practice
• Subjectives evaluations
• Maximising data quality
• Evaluating the effectiveness of your interventions
• Data viz
• ‘Not ugly’ and ‘efficient’
• Examples of how you live this daily
• What you present and how
• Common data viz mistakes —-failing to contextualize

#Bitesize - What impact strength actually has on speed with Peter Weyand

Peter featured on episode #403 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where she discussed -

• How strength transfers to acceleration ability
• How strength transfers to max speed ability
• How we can maximise transfer

Check out the full episode with Peter here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/speed-training-what-we-know-what-we-think-we-know-and-what-is-a-good-guess/

This episode is supported by RockDaisy, the only FREE AMS on the market. AMS Lite features reporting capabilities, questionnaires and forms, alerts and communication, data sharing, data visualisation and calendar views.

Debunking 5 myths on speed training and getting team sport athletes FAST with Pete Burridge

On today's episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast is Pete Burridge. Pete is First Team Athletic Performance Coach at Bristol Bears and heads up the speed training element of the programme. He recently wrote an article on Sportsmith which detailed a number of myths that surround this area and how we can debunk them. This podcast dives even deeper into 5 of them.

We tackled 1) "You can't coach speed", 2) Technical models are a waste of time for team sports, 3) You can’t change a movement pattern that engrained, 4) Speed is too risky to train 5) They already get speed exposures in session. But not only that, given that Pete has shared his exact sessions (see viral tweet), Rob asks him to expand on what he is doing and why within his speed training sessions.

If you're interested in getting insights into speed training from someone who is living it each and everyday, press play on your chose podcast player. You can find us on YouTube, iTunes, Spotify and all other podcast stations.

Today's main talking points -

• Myths around speed training
• "You can't coach speed..."
• "Technical models are a waste of time for team sports"
• The technical model and scoring system Pete uses
• "You can’t change a movement pattern that engrained"
• Getting slower to get faster
• Understanding what is a technical issue and what is a physical capacity issue
• "It's too risky to train"
• How much is too much? What is not enough?
• "They already get speed exposures in session"
• What do your athletes get exposed to in rugby sessions
• How do you go about topping the guys up should they need it
• How you develop posture, pelvic position, front side mechanics, switching and skills at speed

#Bitesize - How to evaluate sports technology with Xavi Schelling

Xavi featured on episode #299 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where she discussed -

• How to understand reliability of a piece of sports technology
• What to look at when trialling sports technology
• Evaluating whether the technology answers a question or creates more questions

Check out the full episode with Xavi here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/pacey-performance-podcast-299-xavi-schelling/

This episode is supported by RockDaisy, the only FREE AMS on the market. AMS Lite features reporting capabilities, questionnaires and forms, alerts and communication, data sharing, data visualisation and calendar views.

Heart rate variability: What we know and how it can be used to inform training prescription with Marco Altini

In this episode of thre Pacey Performance Podcast, Rob is speaking to Scientist and Owner of HRV4Training, Marco Altini. In addition to this, Marco is also an advisor to Oura Ring. This episode is all about heart rate variability (HRV) and how the data can be used to inform training in various different environments.

We kick off the conversation by outlining what HRV actually is and Marco gives us a rundown of how we can collect reliable, actionable data with the technology we now have available. He then reveals why he thinks HRV hasn't been incorporated into the team setting given its value in assessing the response to stress. He then finishes off this fascinating episode with insights into what else HRV can tell us about what is going on with our athletes like illness or menstrual cycle phase.

If you're interested in knowing more about heart rate variability and how it can be used with your athletes, hit play now.

Mental skills training: The untapped strategies to help athletes perform with Colleen Hacker

Today's guest on the Pacey Performance Podcast is Dr. Colleen Hacker. Colleen has worked with some of the biggest sporting organisations and businesses in the world as a Mental Performance Consultant. She most recently served on the Gold Medal staff for USA Ice Hockey in the 2018 Olympic Games which was alongside her tenure with the women's football USA national team. Within this time she helped the USA win multiple Olympic gold medals.

On the episode today we discuss a number of different mental skills which performance coaches may want to develop. This may not be a sole focus, but things like mental toughness, resilliance and dealing with adversity are skills that can be developed in numerous environments which onto the field or court. Given recent conversations on mental toughness and military style training, we chat a lot about how performance coaches and those without the luxury of a mental skills coach can use strategies in their sessions to build this.

If you're looking to learn from one of the world's best in the area of mental skills development, press play now.

• What is a mental performance consultant and mental skills coach
• How to develop mental toughness
• How can coaches build in mental toughness elements to their practices?
• What sport can learn from the business world: stress, pressure etc
• Common mental traits of gold medal winning teams

#Bitesize - Designing the optimal warm up with Rett Larson

Rett featured on episode #375 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where she discussed -

• How to design a warm up
• How to ensure the warm up fits the following activity
• What are Rett's thoughts on stretching

Check out the full episode with Rett here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/warm-ups-and-cool-downs-maximising-our-impact-as-coaches/

This episode is supported by RockDaisy, the only FREE AMS on the market. AMS Lite features reporting capabilities, questionnaires and forms, alerts and communication, data sharing, data visualisation and calendar views.

Mentoring and building the skills needed to succeed in performance sport with Craig White

This week's episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast sees Rob speaking with High Performance Consultant and Coach Mentor, Craig White. Craig has worked with some of the biggest rugby organisations in the world from England Rugby to Wasps, Wales Rugby and Leicester Tigers.

Craig has a really interesting story from being a hardcore S&C coach, obsessed with the craft and getting athletes physically strong and powerful, to being a practitioner who now focuses on the psychological, emotional and spiritual aspects of performance. As a consultant for a number of tier 2 rugby nations over the last few years, Craig is brought into organisations to guide culture, communication and brotherhood.

In this episode we dive into those non-traditional aspects of performance. We also discuss mentoring and why mentoring isn't for everyone, and for those that it is for, one mentor may not be enough. If you're looking to hear from a highly experienced practitioner and their journey to enhance performance on the field, hit the play button now.

Talking points -

• What Craig looks for in an S&C coach
• The role of a mentor
• Does everyone need a mentor?
• Career development vs inner development
• Reflections on working in high performance environments
• Career periodisation

#Bitesize - Whoop vs Oura and which device to choose with Sian Allen

Sian featured on episode #391 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where she discussed -

• What are the main differences between Oura and Whoop?
• How they both calculate HRV and what that means for data interpretation
• Which one is most suitable in different situations

Check out the full episode with Sian here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/choosing-the-right-wearable-tech-for-your-athletes-and-which-is-worth-the-investment-whoop-or-oura/

This episode is supported by RockDaisy, the only FREE AMS on the market. AMS Lite features reporting capabilities, questionnaires and forms, alerts and communication, data sharing, data visualisation and calendar views.

Coaching agility using a constraints led approach with Shawn Myszka

This week on the Pacey Performance Podcast, Rob is speaking to Movement Skill Acquisition Coach at Emergence, Shawn Myszka. Shawn currently serves as a personal performance advisor and movement coach for more than a dozen NFL players.

Coaching agility is much more than setting up cones and letting the athletes run routes around them. Agility is much more than just change of direction ability. But with so much complexity to improve the physical quality of "agility", how can we coach it effectively to ensure transfer to the field? In this episode, Shawn details his approach which dives into the world of ecological dynamics and a constraints led approach. He explains how his approach differs to a "traditional" approach of pre-planned movements and drilling them time after time. Shawn presents an example of a closed drill which aims to improve cutting and develops it into a much more open drill so the athlete has to react to a changing environment, much like they would have to do on game day.

This is an excellent episode for anyone that wants to ensure their time spent on the field developing "agility" is actually transferring to the field.

Talking points -

• Typical NFL drills to improve agility and how they can be improved

• Traditional approach versus an ecological approach to drill design

• How to integrate a constraints led approach into agility training

• Closed drills vs open drills

• Problems with coaching to a fixed movement profile

#Bitesize - Gym based assessments to help guide speed training with Ryan Grubbs

Ryan featured on episode #395 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed -

• What gym based assessments he uses to guide speed training
• Hip isometric assessments and what the data can tell us
• Turning data into speed training interventions 

Check out the full episode with Ryan here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/helping-athletes-get-fast-with-speed-profiling-is-it-a-technical-or-physical-adjustment-that-is-needed/

This episode is supported by RockDaisy, the only FREE AMS on the market. AMS Lite features reporting capabilities, questionnaires and forms, alerts and communication, data sharing, data visualisation and calendar views.

Linking a strength & power programme to a game model to maximise on-field performance with Shane Lehane

This week on the Pacey Performance Podcast, Rob is speaking to Shane Lehane, Athletic Performance Coach at the Sydney Swans in the AFL. Shane has lots of experience in rugby union with Leicester Tigers and Melbourne Rebels and it is these two contrasting experiences that we chat about today.

Shane describes the programme at Leicester working under Alex Martin where the strength and power programme was high up on the priority list due to the demands of how the team played. That is in contrast to his time at Melbourne where the style of play was completely different, leading to the strength and power programme falling down the priority list when the weekly schedule was being developed.

He discusses how his philosphy evolved and how his time at Leicester, where they focused on lifting with exercise that had a low a technical bias so to maximise raw strength and power, has shaped his thoughts moving forwards.

Key talking points -

• Working at Leicester Tigers where strength and power was a priority
• Prescribing exercises with low technical bias
• What the programme actually looked like
• How coordinative drills transfer to on-field performance
• The influece of Frans Bosch, John Pryor and Dean Benton
• Working at Melbourne Rebels where the strength and power programme didn't take priority
• Building a framework that helps future staff make better decisions at the Swans

#Bitesize - Tackling common sleep problems in athletes with Luke Gupta

Luke featured on episode #291 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed -

• What are common sleep problems athletes have?
• How can we solve them with and without the help of a sleep scientist
• How can we use questionnaires effectively to manage and monitor sleep

Check out the full episode with Luke here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/pacey-performance-podcast-291-luke-gupta/

This episode is supported by RockDaisy, the only FREE AMS on the market. AMS Lite features reporting capabilities, questionnaires and forms, alerts and communication, data sharing, data visualisation and calendar views.

Training tendons: What really matters for performance and rehabilitation with Seth O’Neill

This week’s guest on the Pacey Performance Podcast is Seth O’Neill. He’s an Associate Professor in Physiotherapy at the University of Leicester. He has a PhD on tendinopathy and in this episode its all about the tendons, how we train them, how we reduce the chances of injury and how we rehabilitate them.

Seth tells us about the role of the tendon function and how it can adapt to dynamic movements. This includes the importance of tendon structure – and why this subject has been dividing opinion. Seth moves onto what causes changes to tendon structure, including ageing and how this can be mitigated for. There’s also some insight into muscle stiffness versus tendon stiffness, and how both affect performance.

Seth also discusses isometric training, including what does and doesn’t work for him in order to get the best performance benefits. He also talks about how isometrics can be the gateway to rehabilitation and how pain comes into the equation. He goes into specifics too, about patellar tendons, the Achilles tendon, and on to calf training and monitoring. This includes why calf injuries are now more common, and why hamstring injuries have plateaued in recent times. Finally, Seth tells us how to gain performance benefits through calf training. For all this insight and much more, hit the play button now.

This week’s topics:

• The main question sports clubs ask Seth regarding physiotherapy
• The role of the tendon function and adapting to dynamic movements
• The importance of tendon structure
• What causes changes to tendon structure
• How much can age affect tendon structure
• Muscle stiffness versus tendon stiffness
• What does and doesn’t work in isometric training
• How isometric training can be best used to get performance benefits
• How isometrics can be the gateway to rehabilitation
• Patellar tendon and Achilles rehabilitation
• Calf training and monitoring
• Why calf injuries are now more common, and hamstring injuries have plateaued
• Gaining performance benefits through calf training

#Bitesize - Implementing Frans Bosch’s methods and the importance of hip lock with Leigh Egger

Leigh featured on episode #355 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed -

• Which or Frans' methods can be integrated into a team sport environment
• The importance of hip lock
• Technical errors in team sport athletes and how Frans' methods can help

Check out the full episode with Leigh here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/changing-the-way-we-think-about-training-speed-and-agility-and-implementing-the-methods-of-frans-bosch/

This episode is supported by RockDaisy, the only FREE AMS on the market. AMS Lite features reporting capabilities, questionnaires and forms, alerts and communication, data sharing, data visualisation and calendar views.

Data management & analysis: The essentials skills needed for the future S&C coach with Ryan Curtis

This week’s guest on the Pacey Performance Podcast is San Antonio Spurs’ Sports Science Coordinator and Performance Coach Ryan Curtis.

He's here to talk to Rob about the link between sports science and coaching, including how he keeps a connection with athletes and what he believes are the minimum data skills required to be an effective strength and conditioning coach. He follows this up with his thoughts on hot topic in S&C – injury predicting technology.

Ryan tells us what his day-to-day approach is when testing and assessing athletes, such as data collection, data capture methods, technology, equipment used, and data points introduced and then removed from his setup. He finishes off by telling us how someone joining an organisation can quickly add value and make their mark, drawing upon his own vast experience. For all this great content and much more from a leading NBA sports scientist, hit the play button now.

This week’s topics:

• Keeping connected with athletes as a sports science coordinator
• Minimum skills to be effective as a strength and conditioning coach
• Concepts and ideas shared on social media that have worked unexpectedly
• The concepts that didn’t gain traction, and why
• Visualising the impact of data
• Ryan’s views on injury predicting technology
• Ryan day-to-day testing and assessment of athletes
  • Data capture methods
  • Technology used
  • Equipment
  • Key data points
• How to add value when joining an organisation

#Bitesize - Where to start when coaching speed to a new athlete with Les Spellman

Les featured on episode #314 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed -

• What are the first steps when coaching an athlete who hasn't done speed training before?
• How to remove bad habits from sprint technique
• Formal assessments for new athletes

Check out the full episode with Jack here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/pacey-performance-podcast-314-les-spellman/

This episode is supported by RockDaisy, the only FREE AMS on the market. AMS Lite features reporting capabilities, questionnaires and forms, alerts and communication, data sharing, data visualisation and calendar views.

Speed training for youth athletes: Lessons from the national high school S&C coach of the year with John Garrish

This week’s guest on the Pacey Performance Podcast is National High School Strength Coach of the Year, John Garrish. He’s the Director of Athletic Development & Performance and Head Track and Field Coach at North Broward Preparatory School in Coconut Creek, Florida.

Following the receipt of his prestigious award from the NHSSCA, John is here to talk about coaching younger athletes at high school level, how he first broke into the industry, and some of his own tricks and tips for coaching speed with larger groups. First up, he explains how life works as a high school S&C coach, and how strength and conditioning fits in with the school curriculum in Florida. He moves on to his own strengths and weaknesses as a coach, and discusses how he overcomes any perceived flaws in his technique.

On the same subject, John tells us how he coaches training sessions using minimal verbal communication, an area where many coaches may struggle to get instructions and messages across. This involves how to manage larger groups of athletes, as is the case for many high school coaches. John also gives us his expert insight into the drills and exercises he likes to use in larger groups, including the progressions and regressions to look out for when using banding and hopping. For all this and much more from an award-winning coach, hit the play button now.

This week’s topics:

• How John became Head Track and Field coach at North Broward
• How strength and conditioning coaching fits in with a school curriculum
• Key differences in coaching adults and youth athletes
• John’s own strengths and weaknesses as a coach, and how he addresses them
• How to coach with minimal verbal communication but using constraints
• Tips and tricks for managing a large group of athletes
• Exercises and drills to use when coaching large groups
• Progressions and regressions when using banding and hopping

#Bitesize - A new way to rehabilitate hamstring injuries with Jack Hickey

Jack featured on episode #243 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed -

• What is the traditional way to rehabilitate hamstring injuries?
• What problems does this cause?
• What is an alternative and superior way to go through the rehab process?

Check out the full episode with Jack here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/pacey-performance-podcast-243-jack-hickey/

This episode is supported by RockDaisy, the only FREE AMS on the market. AMS Lite features reporting capabilities, questionnaires and forms, alerts and communication, data sharing, data visualisation and calendar views.

From S&C coach in Germany to Director of High Performance in the MLS in 5 years - Lessons from moving up the ladder with Max Lankheit

This week’s guest on the Pacey Performance Podcast is Max Lankheit, Director of High Performance at the San Jose Earthquakes in the MLS. Previously, Max was a strength and conditioning coach at Nurnberg and St Pauli in Bundesliga 2. in Germany, with a previous background as an acting coach. We’re going to learn how Max made that jump through the ranks, starting with his time as the owner of a gym where St Pauli’s players came to train.

Following his move to Bundesliga 2., he talks about the times he had to create full training programmes with minimal access to facilities, identifying the gaps in a training programme and plugging them, followed by when it’s time to leave a role once you feel you’ve fulfilled your potential. Subsequently, Max then tells us how he then made the big transition from S&C coach to the Earthquakes’ Director of Performance.

In his current role, Max discusses the influence he can exert over training programmes, and the particular processes and systems he prefers to put into place to achieve certain results. From his now more senior position, he also offers insight into how management and leadership differ, and how undertaking an MBA has impacted his day-to-day life. For all this insight and more into the routine of one of the MLS’s top coaches, hit the play button now.

This week’s topics:

• Max’s early coaching days with St Pauli
• How Max developed a full training programme with minimal facilities
• When it’s right to leave a coaching role for a new challenge
• Identifying the gaps in a training programme
• Max’s transition from S&C coach to Director of Performance
• The influence Max has on a training programme in his position
• The processes and systems Max likes to put into place
• How management and leadership differ
• The impact of undertaking an MBA on Max’s daily life

#Bitesize - CBD oil and its potential benefits and risks with Graeme Close

Graeme featured on episode #396 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed -

• What is CBD oil?
• Is it banned and can we take it safely?
• What are the potential benefits on recovery, sleep and brain trauma injuries?

Check out the full episode with Graeme here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/cbd-for-athletes-is-it-safe-and-what-are-the-potential-benefits-for-recovery-sleep-and-brain-injuries/

This episode is supported by RockDaisy, the only FREE AMS on the market. AMS Lite features reporting capabilities, questionnaires and forms, alerts and communication, data sharing, data visualisation and calendar views.

Daily monitoring and the industry’s cautious approach to performance enhancement with Phil Glasgow

This week’s guest on the Pacey Performance Podcast is Phil Glasgow, Head of Physio and Rehabilitation for Irish Rugby. Phil is here to talk about centralised programmes, how to build them, and what the major challenges are. He also mentions areas that are best not to be centralised, and the key lessons to take away from centralised programmes that coaches can apply themselves. Phil also discusses daily monitoring systems, including exercises and metrics to watch out for.

There’s also discussion into how coaches can better understand metrics and various exercises, and how Covid has had an impact on being able to monitor athletes on a daily basis. Finally, Phil lets us know why there has been an increase in calf injuries in rugby and football, and whether coaches have become more risk averse over the past decade. In this same vein, he tells us about how he feels recovery days should work for both pro and younger athletes. For all this and much more, hit the play button now.

This week’s topics:

• Building a centralised system from a performance perspective
• The biggest challenges with a centralised programme
• Key lessons from centralised programmes that can be applied
• How Covid has impacted on daily monitoring systems
• What daily monitoring systems look like for Phil Glasgow
• Exercises and metrics to watch during daily monitoring
• How coaches can better understand what to pay attention to
• Why there has been an increase in calf injuries in rugby and football
• Phil’s views on whether coaches are becoming more risk averse
• Phil’s views on recovery days for athletes

#Bitesize - Developing and living by a coaching philosophy with Des Ryan

Des featured on episode #306 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed -

• Building a coaching philosophy
• Communicating that philosophy in an interview or with other staff
• Common interview answers when Des has asked about philosophy

Check out the full episode with Des here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/pacey-performance-podcast-306-des-ryan/

This episode is supported by RockDaisy, the only FREE AMS on the market. AMS Lite features reporting capabilities, questionnaires and forms, alerts and communication, data sharing, data visualisation and calendar views.

Speed training: What we know, what we think we know and what is a good guess with Peter Weyand

This week’s guest on the Pacey Performance Podcast is Dr. Peter Weyand, Professor of applied physiology and biomechanics at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Prior to his role at SMU, Peter directed research efforts at Harvard University's Concord Field Station, a large animal facility specialising in terrestrial locomotion, and the Locomotion Laboratory of Rice University.

Peter is here to provide in-depth analysis into how to improve speed, including the common methods that can be used and his opinion on the speed training boom on social media and beyond. In that same vein, Peter talks about why academics need to be more critical of the information available and not take it as gospel. There’s also discussion into training techniques, such as the outcomes to look out for in resistance speed training and how to transfer gym-based training to the track.

Rob also asks Peter about the possible misinterpretation between the influence of strength on top speed, and the influence of Mach drills and their desired outcomes. Finally, Peter reveals the questions that people often ask him, including about force velocity profiling, focussing on power, and the ultimate question; “how do I get faster?”. For all this and much more, hit the play button now.

This week’s topics:

• What we know about common methods to improve speed
• Peter’s opinion on the speed training boom
• Why academics need to be more critical of available information
• The outcomes to look out for in resistance speed training
• Transferring gym-based training to the track
• The possible misinterpretation between the influence of strength on top speed
• The influence of Mach drills and desired outcomes
• Force velocity profiling and the questions Peter often sees
• The focus on power
• The most common questions Peter fields, including “How do I get faster?”

#Bitesize - Keeping the main thing the main thing and winning the Rugby World Cup with Aled Walters

Aled featured on episode #339 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed -

• Pre World Cup expectations
• How to keep the main thing the main thing
• Winning a World Cup with limited resources

Check out the full episode with Aled here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/pacey-performance-podcast-337-aled-walters/

This episode is supported by RockDaisy, the only FREE AMS on the market. AMS Lite features reporting capabilities, questionnaires and forms, alerts and communication, data sharing, data visualisation and calendar views.

Jump testing: Looking at metrics that matter and learning from some of the best jumpers in the world with Eric Leidersdorf

This week’s guest on the Pacey Performance Podcast is Eric Leidersdorf, Director of Biomechanics at P3 in Santa Barbara, California. He’s been with P3 for nearly 11 years, and he and his team oversee biomechanical assessment processes from data collection acquisition through to analytics. Eric recently earned a Master of Science in Data Science at Columbia University and is leading P3’s data analytics efforts to develop new insight into athletic performance and injury mechanisms.

Eric is here to talk about his considerable experience in jump testing, including how he first got into the industry and how biomechanical roles are growing in US sport. On testing, Eric discusses why coaches and sports scientists assess jumps and the basis this provides. There’s also insight into metrics, including the ones Eric believes matter most, how they connect to performance on court or the field, and how to gather them from athletes performing in different roles and with different body types. Eric also talks about the reliability of assessment tools such as markerless motion capture, and the difficulty of sharing data as a private organisation.

Moving onto the training side, we also discuss what other sports can learn about jumping from basketball, and how training is affected by movement strategy. Further expertise comes from Eric’s views on countermovement jump strategies, whether testing strategies can be grouped into categories, and how training differs between vertical and lateral jumps. We round out the episode with Eric’s views on the future of sports science technology and the future of jump testing, including force plates. For all this and much, much more, hit the play button now.

This week’s topics:

• Why we assess jumps and the basis they give us
• The links between metrics collected and what happens on court or the field
• The difficulty of sharing data as a private organisation
• The reliability of assessment tools such as markerless motion capture
• Eric’s view on the metrics that matter, and which ones to measure for different athletes
• What we can learn about jumping from insights into basketball
• How training is affected by movement strategy
• Whether testing strategies can be grouped into certain categories
• How training differs between vertical and lateral jumps
• Eric’s views on the future of sports science technology
• The future of jump testing

#Bitesize - How to get the most out of your RPE data with Aaron Coutts

Aaron featured on episode #177 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed -

• Common mistakes coaches make when collecting RPEs
• Tips to collect reliable RPE data
• How to integrate RPE data with other training load measures 

Check out the full episode with Aaron here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/pacey-performance-podcast-177-aaron-coutts/

This episode is supported by RockDaisy, the only FREE AMS on the market. AMS Lite features reporting capabilities, questionnaires and forms, alerts and communication, data sharing, data visualisation and calendar views.

Improve your athlete testing by breaking down the mechanics of your sport with Adam Petway

This week’s guest on the Pacey Performance Podcast is horizontal jumps coach Adam Petway. Adam currently coaches track and field at the West Chester University of Pennsylvania after previously serving as the Director of Athletic Performance for the Washington Wizards in the NBA. Prior to this, Adam was the Biomechanist/Strength and Conditioning coach for the Philadelphia 76ers, and Director of Strength and Conditioning for University of Arkansas basketball. He also holds a PhD in Sports Science and High-Performance Sport.

Adam has just released his new book, Basketball Mechanics, which digs into what makes the world’s top basketball players tick. Much of what inspired Adam and his co-writer leads today’s conversation – namely which physical assessments are appropriate for basketball, assessing and addressing deficiencies in an athlete, and assessing neuromuscular readiness and fatigue. This involves measuring outcomes, including how to understand neuromuscular fatigue without force plates and jumps through three key assessments.

There’s also some great advice for strength and conditioning coaches in how to understand the technical and tactical aspects of sport when talking with head coaches. Adam also shares how he deals with common ankle and Achilles injuries, and how he uses isometrics and creates regular exercises in a safe environment. Isometrics is also the topic when Adam discusses how they fit in with the physical development model in the NBA. For all this advice from a top track and field coach who specialises in measuring and monitoring jump performance, hit the play button now.

This week’s topics:

• Which physical assessments are appropriate for basketball
• Understanding the technical and tactical aspects of sport
• Assessing and addressing deficiencies in an athlete’s skillset
• Common scenarios, drills and interventions to use
• Assessing neuromuscular readiness and fatigue
• Outcome measures, and why Adam wouldn’t go down the jump height route
• Understanding neuromuscular fatigue without jumps and force plates
• The three assessments to use when measuring neuromuscular readiness
• Dealing with ankle and Achilles issues
• Isometrics and creating exercises in a safe environment
• How isometrics fit in with the physical development model in the NBA

#Bitesize - What impact can performance coaches have on esports athletes and their performance with Taylor Johnson

Taylor featured on episode #261 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed -

• What are the demands placed on esport athletes?
• Are performance coaches able to make an impact?
• How can we measure and manage cognitive load? 

Check out the full episode with Taylor here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/pacey-performance-podcast-261-taylor-johnson/

This episode is supported by RockDaisy, the only FREE AMS on the market. AMS Lite features reporting capabilities, questionnaires and forms, alerts and communication, data sharing, data visualisation and calendar views.

Getting, keeping and excelling in a strength and conditioning role in pro sport with Des Ryan, Dave Slemen and Chris Bishop

We have something slightly different on this week’s Pacey Performance Podcast – not one, not two, but three guests as part of a Careers Roundtable special aimed at anyone in education or job hunting for a strength and conditioning role. First up, we have Des Ryan. He’s Director of Coaching & Performance at Setanta College having previously being Head of Sports Medicine and Athletic Development at Arsenal's academy. In the business since 1998, he’s also held roles at Connacht Rugby and the IRFU.

Next up is Chris Bishop. He’s Director of Postgraduate Programmes in Sport, at Middlesex University. Last but certainly not least is David Slemen, founding partner of Elite Performance Partners. His organisation helps recruit performance staff and senior leaders into team sport, namely football and rugby across the world.

Our trio are here to talk about recruitment, education, job hunting and internships within strength and conditioning. This includes advice on finding that elusive first job, the qualifications and accreditations valued by employers, advice on networking and building connections within the industry, and making the most of internships at all levels. There’s also good advice on CVs and cover letters when applying for S&C positions, plus much more. For all this invaluable advice for anyone trying to break into sport and the coaching industry, hit play now.

This week’s topics:

• Finding a job in sport following a master’s degree
• Coaching qualifications in S&C that employers value
• The issue of recruitment diversity within football
• How and where prospective S&C practitioners can gain experience
• How employers will narrow down job applicants for S&C positions
• Advice on networking, including how to build a network
• Accreditations and why they are valued by employers
• Whether it is better to have brief experience in several sports, or much experience in one
• Is there a stigma in football about recruiting S&C coaches from other sports?
• Making the most of an intern position
• Are there too many coaches and not enough jobs?
• Hints and tips on CVs and cover letters for S&C applicants

#Bitesize - Speed and its place in the return to play process with Alan Murdoch

Alan featured on episode #351 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed -

• Where speed sits in the return to play process
• Why putting it at the top of the pyramid helps the return to play process
• What this looks like in action

Check out the full episode with Alan here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/why-speed-should-be-at-the-top-of-the-decision-making-tree-in-a-performance-based-approach-to-rehabilitation/

This episode is supported by RockDaisy, the only FREE AMS on the market. AMS Lite features reporting capabilities, questionnaires and forms, alerts and communication, data sharing, data visualisation and calendar views.

Working across multiple sports vs one sport for career longevity with Jeremy Bettle

This week’s guest on the Pacey Performance Podcast is Jeremy Bettle. In Rob’s words, we don't think we’ve had anyone on the podcast with the breadth and experience in so many different sports as Jeremy, as evidenced by his time at USA Rugby, University of California Santa Barbara, as well as roles in the NBA, NHL and MLS with the Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Maple Leafs, Anaheim Ducks and NYCFC respectively.

Jeremy discusses how coaches can make the transition from one sport to another, including what to potentially avoid when switching disciplines. There’s also insight into how to initiate a change culture within an organisation, especially when the personnel involved are reluctant to do so.

Relating to his time at the Toronto Maple Leafs, Jeremy tells us how he and his team were able to reduce groin injuries, and the data to use when monitoring those results. There’s also some advice for anyone wanting to make the leap from a strength conditioning coaching role into a leadership role, such as how to deal with dynamics at work and where to find leadership courses. Finally, relating to the overall industry, Jeremy discusses the skillsets and job roles that he believes need to be plugged within the industry. For all this insight and much more, hit the play button now.

This week’s topics:

• Making the transition from one sport to another
• Examples of when previously methodologies haven’t worked, and why
• Initiating change culture within a reluctant organisation
• How to tweak the environment of an organisation to make people more receptive to change
• Jeremy’s advice for those starting a new role and trying to put their own stamp on it
• Jeremy’s own philosophy, in his own words
• How Jeremy successfully worked to prevent groin injuries at Toronto
• The intel used to review results
• Transitioning from strength coaching to a leadership role
• Sources of information for those looking to move into a leadership role
• The skillsets that Jeremy believes need to be plugged within the industry

#Bitesize - Where to start with programming and monitoring resisted sprints with Ken Clark

Ken featured on episode #307 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed -

• Different ways we can programme resisted sprints
• Where to start with novice athletes
• How we can use resisted sprinting with large groups

Check out the full episode with Ken here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/pacey-performance-podcast-307-ken-clark/

This episode is supported by RockDaisy, the only FREE AMS on the market. AMS Lite features reporting capabilities, questionnaires and forms, alerts and communication, data sharing, data visualisation and calendar views.

Coaching sub-10 sprinters: What works and what doesn’t with Steve Fudge

This week’s guest on the Pacey Performance Podcast is sprint coach Steve Fudge. Steve is the head coach at his own FudgeLdnProject, having guided several British sprinters to sub 10 and sub-20-second performances and a haul of 18 international medals, including with Jonnie Peacock.

Steve started out as an intern at the University of Washington in Seattle, followed by the Sports Institute in Brisbane and Queensland Sports Institute in Adelaide. Steve is here to talk about what he knows best – the principles of sprint training. He discusses posture, what to look for as a beginner and how to use it to build acceleration. There’s insight into Steve’s day-to-day drills and exercise selection, including the ones he is starting to move away from too.

For non-sprint-based sports, such as in rugby or football, Steve also gives us his advice on how to coach sprints and acceleration in a team environment. This includes his tips for coaching larger groups of up to 25 athletes and knowing the cues to look for in their exercise selection. Additionally, there’s a section on why speed coaches can also be considered people coaches, and why they could be said to “talk too much”. For all this and much more, hit the play button now.

This week’s topics:

• How Steve started as an intern in the US and Australia
• The principles of sprint training
• Posture, and how to use it when improving acceleration
• Assistance training and the use of sleds
• Steve’s day-to-day drills and exercise selection for posture
• The drills that Steve is moving away from
• Sprint training for football, rugby and other non-sprint-based sports
• Steve’s tips for coaching larger groups of 20 or more athletes
• Why can sprint coaches can “talk too much”

#Bitesize - The problems and solutions to over-cueing and over-regressing speed and agility drills with Jon Goodwin

Jon featured on episode #230 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed -

• Common mistakes coaches make when coaching speed and agility
• The problems with over-cueing and over-regressing drills
• Using a constraints-based approach to speed and agility drills

Check out the full episode with Ben and Martin here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/pacey-performance-podcast-230-jon-goodwin/

This episode is supported by RockDaisy, the only FREE AMS on the market. AMS Lite features reporting capabilities, questionnaires and forms, alerts and communication, data sharing, data visualisation and calendar views.

Using jump profiling to answer performance questions with Joseph Coyne

On this week’s Pacey Performance Podcast, Rob speaks to strength and conditioning expert Joseph Coyne. He’s back for part 2 following his initial chat with Rob on this very podcast back in July 2021.

This time around, Joseph is here to talk about jump profiling. He discusses how to understand the best exercise for an athlete based on their sport and role, including what success in training looks like in sports not measured in height or distance. This leads into Joseph’s sport relevance classification, including unilateral/bilateral work, the effect of direction and approach, and how different surfaces can impact on jumping.

Joseph also answers questions about what an athlete’s movement signature tells us about how to improve performance, whether athletes and coaches should concentrate on force or velocity, and how to assess whether athletes need to improve sequencing and coordination to see improved results. There’s also discussion of Pierre Samozino’s force of velocity profile, and signposting to more expert insight from Joseph on jumps and plyometrics. For all this, hit the play button now.

This week’s topics:

• Understanding a sport, and therefore the best exercise
• What training success looks like in team or combat sports
• Joseph’s sport relevance classification system explained
  • What training is relevant?
  • Unilateral jumping for top end speed
  • Direction and approach
  • The effect of different surfaces
• Approach vs. non-approach jumping
• Does an athlete need more force or velocity to improve performance?
• Pierre Samozino’s force of velocity profile
• How an athlete’s movement signature tells us how to improve performance
• Joseph’s thoughts on asymmetry
• Does an athlete need to focus on unilateral or bilateral work?
• Assessing whether athletes need to improve sequencing and coordination to improve

#Bitesize - Working with some of the best footballers in the world with Ben Rosenblatt and Martin Evans

Ben and Martin featured on episode #330 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where they discussed -

• Starting with the FA and the preconceptions of working with world class players
• What can and can't be done while working with a national team
• What they would change if they were to start their roles again

Check out the full episode with Ben and Martin here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/pacey-performance-podcast-330-ben-rosenblatt-martin-evans/

This episode is supported by RockDaisy, the only FREE AMS on the market. AMS Lite features reporting capabilities, questionnaires and forms, alerts and communication, data sharing, data visualisation and calendar views.

CBD for athletes: Is it safe and what are the potential benefits for recovery, sleep and brain injuries with Graeme Close

This week’s guest on the Pacey Performance Podcast is Graeme Close. Graeme is currently the expert nutrition consultant to England Rugby, the Head of Performance Nutrition to The European Tour Golf and European Ryder Cup Team and consults to several Premier League Football clubs and players.

Graeme is here to talk about all things sports nutrition, including supplements, CBD, and the use of zinc to support athletes’ immunity. Regarding supplements, Graeme discusses the ones he’s more likely to trust, and why vitamin D especially is important to keep at healthy levels. There’s also some insight into why it’s beneficial for coaches to watch their vitamin D levels, especially when they work indoors. Graeme also talks about CBD and its potential for helping athletes following its removal from the prohibited listed by WADA.

Regarding cannabinoids, Graeme tells us about his preferred areas of research into the subject, and how it can help in other areas, such as sleep and recovery. In further insight regarding overall athlete nutrition, Graeme mentions immunity, and how the correct nutrition helps athletes stave off illness. This included the safe, short-term use of zinc, and how certain sports nutrition myths about protein have been recently debunked. For all this and much more, hit the play button now.

This week’s topics:

• The supplements Graeme trusts, and why
• Vitamin D and testing for deficiency
• The benefits of keeping vitamin D at healthy levels
• What is CBD?
• Why Graeme says there’s cautious excitement about CBD
• Graeme’s preferred research sources regarding THC and cannabinoids
• How CBD could help in other areas, such as sleep
• The advice Graeme gives athletes regarding CBD
• How nutrition can support athletes with their immunity
• The safe use of zinc to overcome short-term illnesses
• Sports nutrition myths debunked

#Bitesize - Developing deceleration ability in the gym and on the field with Tom Dos’Santos and Alistair McBurnie

Alistair and Tom featured on episode #380 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where they discussed -

• What qualities are needed for good deceleration ability
• What gym-based exercises develop the qualities necessary for good deceleration
• How we can integrate gym-based exercises with on-field drills to enhance deceleration ability

Check out the full episode with Alistair and Tom here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/the-deceleration-vaccine-and-understanding-and-improving-deceleration-ability/

This episode is supported by RockDaisy, the only FREE AMS on the market. AMS Lite features reporting capabilities, questionnaires and forms, alerts and communication, data sharing, data visualisation and calendar views.

Helping athlete get fast with speed profiling: Is it a technical or physical adjustment that is needed (?) with Ryan Grubbs

This week’s guest on the Pacey Performance Podcast is Ryan Grubbs, Applied Biomechanics Coordinator at the Houston Texans in the NFL. Now with the Texans after leaving Liberty University, Ryan is truly a part of the speed training ‘boom’.

He's here to talk about athlete profiling, including why coaches need to profile their athletes and how to do it for speed training. This includes the trade-off between the technical and physical information available, and the technology coaches have at their disposal in order to gain insight into their athletes’ strengths and weaknesses.

In particular, Ryan talks about load velocity programming, and how reliable video technology is for analysing an athlete in order to build their profile. Finally, Ryan gives us his advice for strength-based assessments to guide a program, including force plate testing, RSI testing and isometric work. For all this insight from a top NFL coach who’s done it all at Power Five universities, hit the play button now.

This week’s topics:

• What it’s like being a part of the ‘speed boom’
• Why coaches need to profile their athletes
• How to build an athlete’s profile for speed training
• Technical vs physical information in athlete profiling
• Load velocity profile, and how to run one
• Technology coaches can use to gain insight into athlete profiling
• Accuracy and reliability of video for analysis
• Tools available for video analysis
• Strength-based assessments to guide a program