In this episode, Sam sits down with elite speed coach and former US Army Ranger Jud Linhard for one of the most raw, insightful conversations ever recorded on speed training, coaching, coiling, athletic development and the realities of performance.

From inappropriate posters in rugby gyms to elite military preparation, biomechanics, rotational forces, coiling, speed skill development, and the truth about social media and coaching… this episode goes everywhere.

If you coach speed or want to understand what REALLY makes athletes fast, this conversation will change the way you think forever.

What Judd and Sam dive into

• Why speed is a skill, not just genetics

• The biggest misconceptions coaches have about speed

• Coiling, rotational mechanics and why linear running is not linear

• The difference between force production and force application

• Why elite sprinters don’t look like Hollywood soldiers

• The truth about deceleration and cutting mechanics

• How to train speed safely as you age

• Why resisted sprints often come before top speed work

• How social media changed Jud’s life and coaching career

• What makes content actually work in 2025

• Why athletes need to earn the right to run fast

• Why simplicity beats complexity every single time

If you’re a coach, athlete or performance nerd who cares about speed, mechanics and athletic development, this episode is loaded with insights.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

0:00 – The story that was NOT meant to start the podcast

1:18 – Why humour gets you destroyed in pro sport

2:08 – Welcome Jud Linhard

3:01 – Jud’s small-town upbringing and early influences

4:04 – From bodybuilding to the US Army

4:47 – Deployments, Ranger Regiment and the truth about soldier fitness

6:07 – Why most people misunderstand military preparation

7:05 – Operators, injuries and longevity

8:15 – Why Hollywood gets soldiers completely wrong

10:00 – Aerobic base and the real demands of soldiering

11:42 – Why big muscle often hurts performance

12:52 – Strength vs athleticism

14:00 – Jud’s jump into coaching and speed training

15:15 – The biggest misconceptions coaches have about speed

17:06 – Force production vs force application

18:30 – Why relaxation is a speed superpower

19:55 – Long accelerations and why they work

21:02 – How Jud evaluates athletes

22:35 – Why resisted sprints come BEFORE full-speed

23:45 – Earn the right to run fast

25:00 – How Jud trains himself as an ageing athlete

27:00 – Submax sprinting and drills for durability

29:10 – Easy speed and why submax wins

30:04 – Do athletes need to be maximally fast for team sport

31:40 – Deceleration myths and why context matters

33:45 – Cutting mechanics and injury risk

35:20 – Understanding coiling and rotation

36:40 – Why tall posture is a myth

38:15 – How speed ACTUALLY works

40:10 – Pulsers, arm swing and force

42:00 – Why upper body matters for sprinting

44:01 – Cross-pattern flows and movement sequencing

46:00 – Stability before mobility

47:45 – How social media changed Jud’s life and career

49:15 – Hooks, attention and how to post without feeling like a sellout

50:50 – Why clarity beats complexity

51:40 – Where to find Jud

52:15 – Outro

Follow Jud:

Instagram: @judlinhard

Website: search Jud Linhard

Sam’s Links:

The Sports Speed System

https://www.speedbysportland.com/sportsspeedsystembook

Legacy Coaching Group

https://www.speedbysportland.com/legacy-mastermind-home

Thanks for watching. What was the biggest insight you got from Judd today?

The bit that hit me hardest was how he explained the difference between FORCE PRODUCTION and FORCE APPLICATION.

Most coaches never separate the two — and that’s exactly why their athletes stop improving.

Drop your biggest takeaway below. I read every comment and reply personally.

If you want more episodes diving into REAL speed development, biomechanics and coaching clarity, subscribe and hit the notification bell. Big guests coming soon.

— Sam