Pacey Performance Podcast

Preventing and rehabilitating hip and groin injuries in athletes with James Moore

This week’s guest on the Pacey Performance Podcast is James Moore, leader of the specialist physiotherapy team at the Centre for Health and Human Performance. James has 25 years of experience in physio, graduating with an honours degree in physiotherapy from Kings College London. He was Clinical Lead Physiotherapist to the English Institute of Sport, with a special affiliation to UK Athletics. He spent a period of time working as Head of Medicine for Saracens RFC, before moving on to manage the intensive rehabilitation unit (IRU) at Bisham Abbey and was Head of Performance Services for the British Olympic Association and Deputy Chef de Mission for the Rio 2016 Olympics and beyond.

James is here to talk about hip and groin injuries, and why those injuries happen in the first place. In addition to telling us how he juggles running a business with being a clinician, James tells us about his time working with Andy Murray to aid his return to competitive tennis. He then goes into the differences to watch out for between male and female athletes when it comes to injury risk. There’s also insight into why some people need surgery to aid recovery from hip and groin injuries, and why some don’t.

James also provides a deep dive into how to readjust training sessions in order to aid recovery from injury and what to include in a rehabilitation programme. This includes how to adjust running mechanics to reduces the chances of injury, and the key markers and ratios to monitor that show an athlete’s progress and performance capability. For all this insight from one of the most experienced physios we’ve had on the podcast, and much more, hit the play button now.

On this week’s podcast:

• Juggling owning a business with being a clinician
• Working with Andy Murray throughout his return to competitive tennis
• Why and how hip and groin injuries happen
• The differences in injury risk between male and female athletes
• Identifying who will need surgery
• Why certain people can recovery without surgery
• Readjusting training sessions to aid recovery from injury
• What to include in a rehabilitation programme for groin injuries
• Adjusting running mechanics to reduce the chance of injury
• Markers to watch out for during an athlete’s rehab journey
• Key ratios that give insight into performance

#Bitesize - Microdosing; how it differs to other methods of periodisation with Derek Hansen

Derek featured on episode #183 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed -

• What is microdosing?
• How it can be used during periods of fixture conjestion
• How it can be used for strength and power but also speed training

Check out the full episode with Derek here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/pacey-performance-podcast-183-derek-hansen/

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.

Agility training: Creating drills that transfer to on-field performance with Warren Young

This week’s guest on the Pacey Performance Podcast is Warren Young. He is an Adjunct Associate Professor in Exercise & Sport Science at Federation University Australia and teaches and conducts applied research in a variety of topics relating to physical preparation for sport. Warren has published numerous articles over three decades and has a special interest in speed and agility training and assessment. His research, among other results, led to the development of the Reactive Strength Index and his deterministic model of agility performance.

Warren is here to talk to Rob about agility, including what has changed since his got into the industry over 30 years ago. He describes how there is often a disconnect between the physical and academic side of agility performance, and how that can be reconciled. Warren also discussed how the cognitive side of the model has translated into a coach’s day-to-day work, and whether testing can be integrated into a high-performance setting.

Warren also provides some exceptional insight into how to include change direction testing and agility training into a programme, including what to change between sports and different positions, such as attacking and defending players in a team sport. This includes strategies into how to enhance agility, and how to adapt them for a different level of athlete. For all this and much more, hit the play button now to hear Warren’s thoughts on a subject very few will know more about.

• How Warren developed his model of agility performance
• What has changed in our understanding of agility in the past 30 years
• How academics need to do a better job of including the physical side of his model
• How the cognitive side of the model has translated into a coach’s day-to-day work
• Can a particular test be integrated into a high-performance setting?
• The problems with change direction testing
• How change direction testing and training differs between sports and positions
• What to change in training between attackers and defenders
• Subjective evaluation in a change direction test
• Strategies to enhance agility and where they fit into overall training
• Adapting agility training strategies for novice youth athletes
• Warren’s advice for deceleration training

 

#Bitesize - Developing players through the pathway in an elite football academy with Matt Allen

Matt featured on episode #354 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed -

• How training focus changes as players move through an elite football academy
• Monitoring maturation
• Using maturation data to change (or not change) individual player training 

Check out the full episode with Matt here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/how-to-develop-some-of-the-premier-leagues-most-promising-young-talent/

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.

Understanding and implementing isometric testing and training with athletes with Paul Comfort

Paul Comfort is a Reader in Strength and Conditioning and programme leader for the MSc Strength and Conditioning at the University of Salford, and is this week’s guest on the Pacey Performance Podcast.

He's here to talk to Rob about isometric testing and training, and why there has been a recent resurgence in its popularity. This includes how coaches can use the right metrics during isometric testing, and how the time points to measure athletes by changes based on their own needs and particular sport. For those working on a budget, Paul also explains the alternatives to force plates when testing, and the importance of real, hands-on experience as a coach.

Paul also discusses isometric training and its link to dynamic performance, such as the benefits it can offer in comparison to more traditional strength training techniques. Paul tells us about how coaches can manipulate isometric training to get the results we want, in addition to eccentric training - and when it is appropriate to apply it. For all this advice from an expert who has co-authored over 150 peer-reviewed journal articles along with numerous book chapters, hit the play button now.

This week’s topics:

• Why Paul believes there has been a resurgence in isometric testing and training
• Using the right metrics in isometric testing
• Alternative options to force plates
• Paul’s views on strain gauges in sport-specific testing positions
• The link to dynamic performance when doing isometric training
• The benefits of isometric training compared with traditional strength training
• How we can manipulate isometric training to get the results we want
• The benefits of eccentric training and how to apply it
• Where to find more information about isometric and eccentric training

#Bitesize - How to implement eccentric focused training with your athletes with Angus Ross

Angus featured on episode #343 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed -

• What adaptations come from eccentric focused training
• How to programme eccentric focused training
• Where does it fit into the wider programme

Check out the full episode with Angus here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/eccentric-training-the-why-when-and-how/

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 military pre season camps for the right reasons. Answering the critics with Simon Thomas

This week’s Pacey Performance Podcast guest is Simon Thomas. Simon spent five seasons as the Head of Physical Performance for the Crusaders in Super Rugby, and has now moved on to Major League Rugby side Austin Gilgronis in the United States. Following four titles in New Zealand with Crusaders, Simon decided to take on a new challenge in Texas, joining up with head coach Sam Harris whom he had previously worked with at Honda Heat in Japan. Simon is here to talk about the growth of Major League Rugby, the cultural differences between the sport in traditional rugby nations and the USA, and how there are 300 million rugby fans who just don’t know it yet.

In addition to life in Texas at a fledgling side, Simon also discusses how to set up a successful preseason training camp, including the values to establish, the key objectives, and reflection on the group and their achievements the previous year. One of these training camps proved controversial as the team trained with the US Navy SEALs – as observers on social media waded in with opinions on whether that style of training was appropriate. However, Simon here explains the background behind it all, including the planning and preparation that led to it happening.

This background included the psychological element to the training camp, including how to get players into a routine of accountability, communication, and responding to effective leadership. Simon also talks about how to build trusting relationships between coaches and the team to allow this to happen, plus what the markers of a successful preseason can be. For all this, hit the play button now to get the real truth behind this viral story.

This week’s topics:

• The growth of Major League Rugby
• The origins of the Gilgronis name
• The cultural differences between coaching in New Zealand and Texas
• Developing a successful preseason camp
• How training with the Navy SEALs helped the Gilgronis during preseason
• How that SEALs training session became a social media sensation – and how it was misunderstood
• Why that training didn’t reflect the preparation and planning behind it
• Getting players into a routine of accountability and communication
• The importance of building relationships with coaches and avoiding friction
• The markers of success for a preseason

#Bitesize - Using Frans Bosch’s methods with Australia Rugby with John Pryor

John featured on episode #347 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed -

• Why Frans has had such a big influence on his practice
• Best ways to interpret Frans' methods
• How to develop ankle stiffness

Check out the full episode with John here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/contextual-strength-coordination-training-traditional-strength-training-and-intelligent-science/

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.

The Nordic hamstring exercise; are they safe and effective for athletes (?) with Franco Impellizzeri

Franco Impellizzeri is Rob’s guest on this week’s Pacey Performance Podcast. He’s been Professor in Sport and Exercise Science and Medicine at the UTS Faculty of Health since 2018, with around 170 publications in the area of sport science. However, Franco is much more than just an academic – he has hands-on experience in training several elite track and field athletes in various disciplines (including two gold medallists at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games). More recently, Franco has been the fitness coach of the Swiss Fencing Team (2012 to 2016) for the preparation of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Franco is here to mainly discuss the Nordic hamstring exercise, including the controversy around his recent meta-analysis. With information that could be invaluable to other trainers and coaches, Franco uncovered several errors in another recent meta-analysis in this area, and shares what his re-analysis means for practitioners. This includes statistical errors and the high risk of biases in such research.

There’s also a discussion into where trainers and coaches can find higher quality research, and what Franco will be up to next. In addition, Franco also tells us about his thoughts on the acute chronic workload ratio, and how it should be used in practice whilst being mindful of the problems what can be encountered using it. Finally, he talks about the issues with using the worst-case scenario as a training benchmark and that can be counteracted. For all this insight, hit the play button now.

This week’s topics:

• The errors in a recent meta-analysis on the Nordic hamstring exercise
• Statistical errors and the high risk of bias in Nordic research
• Why Franco re-analysed Nordic hamstring for his recent meta-analysis
• What Franco’s re-analysis means for practitioners
• Why the statistic that Nordics reduces injury by a given percentage is unrealistic
• How the chronic workload ratio is used in practice
• Problems encountered when using ratios
• The issues with using the worst-case scenario as a training benchmark

#Bitesize - Identifying and fixing common sprint technique errors in team sport athletes with Cam Josse

Cam featured on episode #297 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed -

• The three most common sprint technique errors team sport athletes make
• How we can identify them
• How we can fix them

Check out the full episode with Cam here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/pacey-performance-podcast-297-cam-josse/

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.

Research in real-life: Unravelling what injury prevention strategies really works in practice with Nicol van Dyk

This week’s guest on the Pacey Performance Podcast is Nicol van Dyk, injury surveillance and medical research officer with the Irish Rugby Football Union.

Having been at the IRFU since 2019, Nicol is here to talk about injury screening, injury prevention and specifically the Nordic hamstring exercise. With Rob, he discusses why first-hand coaching experience is highly beneficial when undertaking academic research, and his own personal four-step injury screening protocol. As part of this discussion, Nicol explains when interventions need to take place, the risk factors involved with injury screening, and how to identify athletes at a higher or lower risk of injury.

There’s also some insight into Nicol’s overall philosophy for injury prevention. In-keeping with recent trending topics within the industry, there’s also some discussion into Nordics, the risks involved with them, and the athletes that the Nordic hamstring exercise isn’t necessarily effective for. There’s also some signposting into where we can find out more about Nicol’s research, and what he’s going to be doing next. For all this and much more, hit the play button now.

This week’s topics:

• Nicol’s four-step Injury screening protocol with the IRFU
• Interventions and identifying risk factors
• Identifying athletes at high or lower risk of injury
• What triggers an intervention for rugby union players during testing
• What triggers an intervention for other sports
• Nicol’s overall philosophy for injury prevention
• The questions surrounding the phrase ‘injury prevention’
• Nicol’s opinion on Nordics, and whether there’s a risk involved
• Athletes that Nordics are not effective for

#Bitesize - Why and how to use obstacle courses with youth athletes with Jeremy Frisch

Jeremy featured on episode #270 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed -

• How to set up obstacle courses that have a purpose
• How to adjust them based on the age group
• How they fit alongside structured training

Check out the full episode with Jeremy here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/pacey-performance-podcast-270-jeremy-frisch/

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.

Building a genuine network and expanding your responsibilities to make yourself indispensable with Donnell Boucher

On this week’s Pacey Performance Podcast, Rob speaks to Director of Business Development at PLAE, Donnell Boucher. Donnell joined sports equipment and environment manufacturer PLAE in January 2021 following a 14-year tenure in several roles at The Citadel, the military college of South Carolina. There, he worked as Assistant Athletic Director, Director of Strength and Conditioning, Strength Assistance Coach amongst other roles. 

Donnell is here to talk about how he has advanced through his career from starting out as a football player, before transitioning into strength coaching and now into his directorial role at PLAE. As a part of this, Donnell cites networking as an important aspect of how professionals can get noticed and increase their influence within the industry. He talks about the best ways in which to reach out to others and show your value, including what to share on social media. This includes how to provide more than simply being seen as a ‘good person’.

Donnell also provides his career building tips, such as the skills gaps often seen in young coaches, and how they can plug any deficiencies that may hold them back in finding opportunities with employers. There’s also advice on how to build and nurture relationships with clients, which could be invaluable for personal trainers who need to retain the people they coach. Finally, and perhaps most important of all, Donnell reveals the three things he learned at a conference that defined a career altering moment for him. For all this and much more, hit the play button now.

 

This week’s topics:

• Donnell’s influences in strength and conditioning
• How networking helped Donnell’s transition to his new role at PLAE
• The best way to reach out to others when network building
• What to include on social media when building your network
• Why being a ‘good person’ is not always enough in networking
• The gaps often seen in young coaches, and the areas they can work on
• Nurturing experiences and relationships with clients
• The three things learned at a conference that created a career altering moment for Donnell

#Bitesize - What is blood flow restriction training and how can it be used in rehab with Chris Gaviglio

Chris featured on episode #333 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed -

• What is blood flow restriction (BFR) training?
• What safety aspects do we need to consider before using BFR?
• How can it be used in rehab?

Check out the full episode with Chris here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/pacey-performance-podcast-333-chris-gaviglio/

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.

Building a rehab running framework to maximise performance and minimise re-injury with Simon Harries

This week’s guest on the Pacey Performance Podcast is Simon Harries. Simon is a leading Strength and Conditioning coach and sports scientist, having worked for 14 years across all four contact codes in Australia (Rugby League, Rugby Union, Rugby Sevens and AFL). For half that time, he’s also been a rehab coordinator before moving to a new role as Head of Strength and Conditioning at the New South Wales Institute of Sport.

Recently, Simon’s article on his rehab running framework was published on Sportsmith. Here, he talks about how that framework came into being and the process he went through to develop it. One problem he found as an S&C coach was the gap between learning how to coach athletes to push themselves, and the practicalities of helping an athlete return from injury. In his rehab running framework, he’s provided structure for coaches to follow to bridge this gap.

Simon speaks with Rob about the different facets of his framework, including its basic structure, with examples of how it can be used for hamstring and calf injuries. He explains some easy drills to use during rehab, plus how to assess athlete process and when to change the level of training required when an athlete gets to a certain condition. There’s technical information too, such as the regression progression continuum of exercise, resistance training, and isometrics. For all this and more, hit the play button now.

 

This week’s topics:

• How Simon designed the rehab running framework
• The gap between S&C education and practical rehab
• The basic structure of the rehab running framework
• An example of how the framework works with hamstring injuries
• Early drills to use during hamstring rehab
• Assessment methods to use
• The differences in rehab for different muscle groups
• Regression progression continuum of exercise, and resistance training
• Where isometrics fit in

#Bitesize - Maintaining shoulder health with athletes and the ASH test with Ben Ashworth

Ben featured on episode #296 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed -

• The ASH test and what it tells us about shoulder health
• Why assessing rate of force development (RFD) is so important to shoulder health
• What is next in the area of shoulder health assessment

Check out the full episode with Ben here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/pacey-performance-podcast-296-ben-ashworth/

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.

Choosing the right wearable tech for your athletes and which is worth the investment, Whoop or Oura(?) with Sian Allen

This week’s guest on the Pacey Performance Podcast is Research Manager at Lululemon, Sian Allen. Before starting her current position, Sian received her PhD in Statistical Modelling of Sports Performance and worked with both the New Zealand and British swimming teams. She has also played football in the Women’s Premier League, before starting her academic career studying Sports Science and gaining a master’s in Physiology. She is now at Lululemon - an athletic apparel company that designs, distributes, and retails athletic apparel and accessories.

Sian is here to talk about wearable tech; she recently published a popular article comparing Whoop and Oura devices on Sportsmith and has Tweeted extensively on the subject. She tells us about the origins of that article, and the overall benefits of using wearable tech as a coach. What’s more, Sian also tells us the major differences between the rival brands, the data and metrics they both produce, and the one she would choose herself.

Going further into how wearable tech can influence and benefit coaches and athletes, Sian discusses the leading metrics that can flag up potential injuries and illness for coaches, and how wearable tech can help track the menstrual cycle in female athletes. There’s also insight into what coaches need to be careful of when using tech, and the common trade-off between accuracy and ease of use. Sian wraps up by discussing the future of wearable tech, and how practitioners can stay ahead of the game. For all this and more, hit play now.

This week’s topics:

• The benefits of comparing wearable tech
• The story behind Sian’s ‘Whoop vs. Oura’ popular article
• The main differences between Whoop and Oura – and what Sian would choose
• The data they both produce during exercise
• How menstrual cycle tracking can be used when working with female athletes
• Leading metrics that flag up injuries and illnesses
• How careful coaches need to be when using wearables to guide athletes
• The trade-off between accuracy and ease of use
• Sian’s process for finding a wearable that has the metrics that matter
• The future of wearable tech
• How practitioners can stay ahead of the game

#Bitesize - Choosing the right plyometric exercises for your athletes with Jeremy Sheppard and Dana Agar-Newman

Jeremy and Dana featured on episode #373 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where they discussed -

• What to consider when programming plyometric exercises
• Is variation important?
• Incorporating landing training into a programme

Check out the full episode with Jeremy and Dana here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/creating-a-framework-to-maximise-jumping-and-landing-training-with-athletes/

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.

Isometric training; Assessments, progressions and regressions, and programming for different populations with Alex Natera

This week’s guest on the Pacey Performance Podcast is Alex Natera. Alex has been a Strength and Conditioning coach in elite sport for the past 23 years. Over this time, he has held a number of positions across a range of professional football codes and Olympic sports in Europe, the Middle East and Australia. Alex has predominantly worked with track and field sprinters and was previously the Head of Strength & Power for GWS Giants in the AFL followed by his role as Head of S&C for the New South Wales Institute of Sport. Since 2021, he is currently their Manager of Performance Support.

Alex has become known as the “isometric training guy”, and that’s exactly what he’s here to talk about in the run-up to the release of his and Rob’s upcoming isometric training course. Starting from the beginning, Alex talks about his early influences in isometrics and how he developed his own theories. Moving on, he discusses isometric assessments and how they set the foundations of a training program. There’s also details into assessments for the hip, knee and ankle.

Alex and Rob also preview their upcoming isometrics course, including how isometric programs should be developed, especially regarding young athletes. There’s also insight into isometrics and rehabilitation, plus where isometrics fit alongside traditional strength training. We also get to hear what will be included in the course, including how to put programs together, periodised plans, weekly layouts, and how to start an isometric program from scratch. For all this, hit play now.

This week’s topics:

• Alex’s early influences in isometrics
• Isometric assessments for the hip, knee and ankle, and how they set the foundations of the program
• Alternatives to using a force plate for assessments
• Specific isometric assessments for different sports
• Using isometrics with young athletes
• Overlaying isometrics with traditional strength training
• Isometrics and rehabilitation
• Details of Alex and Rob’s upcoming isometric training course

#Bitesize - The force vector myth with Dan Cleather

Dan featured on episode #234 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed -

• What are force vectors?
• What is the misunderstanding and what can it lead to?
• What this means for exercise selection?

Check out the full episode with Dan here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/pacey-performance-podcast-234-dan-cleather/

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.

What speed training methods should team sport coaches take from track & field (and what they shouldn’t)? with Cam Josse

This week’s Pacey Performance Podcast guest is Cam Josse - Athletic Performance Coach for football at Indiana University. Cam spent 7 years prior in the private sector with DeFranco's Training Systems, operating as Director of Sports Performance from 2014-2020. He has worked with a multitude of athletes in high school and collegiate sports as well as professional athletes in the NFL, NHL, UFC, and WWE. 

He's on the podcast to primarily talk about speed training, starting with how working in the private sector can help a coach transition into the collegiate setting. This includes becoming more familiar with coaching larger groups and being able to tailor a speed training program for several athletes in the same team. Staying on the subject of speed training, Cam discusses what team sports can learn from track and field in this regard, and how to find a middle ground that works for athletes that aren’t primarily top sprinters.

There’s also insight into non-verbal cues for athletes in order to prevent micromanagement, and how to balance programming for athletes of various body types in American football. Cam also shares how to integrate sprint training from an upright start, as opposed to the crouch start found in track. Finally, he talks about sprint profiling methods and how they integrate within a program, and the non-sprint-based profiling Cam uses too. For all this top-level insight into speed training and much more, hit the play button now.

This week’s topics:

• Cam’s recommendations for coaches working with large groups
• How to deliver speed training to a larger group of athletes
• What team sports coaching can learn from track and field
• Cam on the ‘speed obsession hype cycle’ and finding a middle ground that works
• Using non-verbal cues to lead training and avoid micromanagement
• Specific areas and scenarios where Cam would choose to use cues
• Balancing programming for both larger and smaller athletes
• Developing sprints from an upright, jogging start
• Profiling methods and how they integrate within a program
• Non-sprint-based profiling Cam uses to inform his speed program

#Bitesize - Recovery in the NFL with Dave Hamilton

Dave featured on episode #282 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed -

• What happened when Dave "over cooked" an athlete going into competition
• Using heat as a recover tool
• How heat differs from cold as a recovery method

Check out the full episode with Dave here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/pacey-performance-podcast-282-dave-hamilton/

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.

A guide to career longevity - Lessons from 32 years as a strength coach with Joe Kenn

This week’s guest on the Pacey Performance Podcast is Joe Kenn, Vice President of Performance Education at Dynamic Fitness and Strength. Joe has 32 years’ experience in strength and conditioning coaching, including 19 years’ college experience, 16 years of head coaching experience at four major universities (University of Louisville, Arizona State, Wake Forest and University of Utah), and 9 years’ experience in the NHL as Head Strength and Conditioning Coach with the Carolina Panthers. As a result, there’s not a lot that Joe hasn’t seen or done.

He's here to talk about the changes he’s seen in strength and conditioning coaching over the past 3 decades, and where he thinks things are going. This includes how Joe started his college career as an Olympic sports strength coach before moving into football and subsequently the NFL. He explains what’s changed since then, as well a few things that have always remained the same. This includes the rise of specialised nutrition and mental health coaches, and advances in technology and sports science. There’s some insight too into how the ’hustle’ has changed for new coaches getting into the industry.

Joe also talks about his own programming style, and what he considers to be the basics of strength and conditioning coaching. He gives his opinion on the boom in speed training, and whether it’s come to detract from a more traditional coaching style. There’s also discussion into where loaded jumps fit into Joe’s programme, and how he prioritises certain exercises for individuals. For these insights and much more from someone who has personally coached in 10 sports throughout his career - and developed a programming model used in over 20 - hit the play button now.

This week’s topics:

• How Joe started out as a coach and what’s changed since then
• The rise of coach wellbeing
• Changes in technology and sports science
• How the ‘hustle’ has changed for coaches just starting out
• What ‘the basics’ are to Joe and how to do them well
• Joe’s opinion on whether speed training is detracting from traditional coaching
• Where loaded jumps fit into Joe’s programme
• Prioritising certain exercises for individuals
• The importance of programming in variation

#Bitesize - Managing, monitoring and preventing hip and groin injuries with Ed Gannon

Ed featured on episode #350 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed -

• What tests should we be using to measure hip and groin strength?
• Are any of those tests suitable to make acute decisions on training status?
• How can isometric exercises be used to reduce hip and groin pain?

Check out the full episode with Ed here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/reducing-and-rehabilitating-hip-and-groin-injuries-monitoring-readiness-in-team-sports-isometric-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.

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

#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.

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 - 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.

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 - 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.

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 - 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.

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 - 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.

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 - 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.

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 - 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.

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 - 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.

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 - 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.

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 - 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.

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 - 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.

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 - 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.

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 - 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.