James Wild is a research & development and speed consultant with Harlequins Rugby Club and as a Lecturer in Applied Sport Science at the University of Surrey. Using a blend of physical preparation and biomechanics techniques with skill acquisition and motor learning principles, James has worked with coaches and athletes across a full spectrum of abilities, including medal winning teams and athletes at major international competitions. James is also a book author and has just completed his PhD in the biomechanics and motor control of team sport athletes during sprint acceleration.

QUOTES

“We have to remember the (sprinting) technique is not an end unto itself, but should be seen as part of opportunity to create external force expression… to fit with a performance objective”

“Technique can potentially modify injury and pain whilst previous injury history and pain can also drive technique modifications as a coping strategy”

“You will find some individuals have a high step rate and rely on faster step rate for faster sprints so working towards their strength is key for that individual but you might also find the opposite”

“You’ll find the strength characteristics of the athlete will underpin the technique they are adopting when sprinting”

“I have previously investigated what effect resisted sprinting has on stride length or string frequency and for some individuals, it increases length, for others, it increases frequency and in some individuals, it hasn’t changed anything”

SHOWNOTES

1) James’ journey into strength and conditioning and sprinting research

2) The key performance indicators of sprinting biomechanics and how to assess acceleration

3) Deciding if athletes are stride frequency or stride length reliant when sprinting and what to do with it

4) Different contexts (e.g., injury history, aptitude) around using kinematic data from sprint analysis

5) What to do if athletes are not getting faster from sprint interventions?

6) The three strength qualities that are relevant to sprint performance and how to test them

7) How and when to provide technique interventions with athletes

8) James’ philosophy on using resisted sprinting work with athletes

9) Identifying opportunities for and then integrating speed work throughout a training week with athletes

PEOPLE MENTIONED

Aki Salo

Ian Benzodis

John Goodwin

Pierre Samozino

JB Morin

Damien Harper