HMMR Podcast

High performance success has a lot of factors. Even each factor, such as technique, is multifaceted. It is hard, or even impossible, to focus on everything at once. Success, therefore, comes through finding focus. On this week's podcast coach Tony Ciarelli joins us to talk about he tries to find focus in his periodization, and also in his approach to teaching technique.

For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2022/12/hmmr-podcast-episode-289-finding-focus-with-tony-ciarelli/

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More notes:

• This episode is brought to you by HMMR Plus. Become a member for full access to our videos, articles, and podcast archives.
• You can learn more about Ciarelli's background on his UCI website biography.
• Ciarelli was also a guest back on HMMR Podcast 28. German national discus coach Rene Sack also discussed how he's modified and used block periodization in HMMR Podcast 211.
• For more about the discus and throwing events, check out our throwing resource hub with links to all our top resources on the topic.

As the year comes to close, we look back to share some quick tips from what we learned this year, new things we are trying out, lessons from the John Smith interviews, and how to successfully blend different training methods.

For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2022/12/hmmr-podcast-episode-288-quick-tips/

» Support the show: join HMMR PLUS to get full access to our coaching resources.

More notes:

• This episode is brought to you by HMMR Plus. Become a member for full access to our videos, articles, and podcast archives.
• We referenced several past episodes in this podcast, including: HMMR Podcast 285 and HMMR Podcast 287 with John Smith, HMMR Podcast 243 with Michael Conroy, HMMR Podcast 28 with Tony Ciarelli, as well as resources from Dr. Anatoliy Bondarchuk.

Last month Ole Miss coach John Smith joined our podcast for a rare interview looking at his unconventional approach to strength and power training. The conversation got a lot of people thinking and left us with many more questions. Thankful we were able to get him back on this week's episode where we dived into many more throws-specific topics such as throwing heavy and light implements, peaking strategies, individualization, technical models, motor learning, and more.

For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2022/11/hmmr-podcast-episode-287-part-2-with-john-smith/

» Support the show: join HMMR PLUS to get full access to our coaching resources.

More notes:

• This episode is brought to you by HMMR Plus. Become a member for full access to our videos, articles, and podcast archives.
• This episode continues the conversation we started with Smith on HMMR Podcast 285. You can learn more about Smith's background on the Ole miss webpage.
• We referenced the Working the Earth article by Smith on his linear approach to the rotational shot put. Smith also has done an interview with Long & Strong Throwers Journal which details a bit more about his own background, and this article about his work with Raven Saunders in 2017.
• Nick Garcia's master's thesis was on throwing multiple weight implements. You can read about some of his findings here. We've also written about heavy and light hammers, as well as short heavy hammers, and the use of weight throw as a training tool for discus and shot put.
• For more throwing resources, check out the HMMR Media throwing hub which combines our top videos, articles, lessons, and other content about all of the throwing events.

It’s time to open the listener mailbag again. On this episode we answer listening questions, with a focus on questions about planning, organization, and even throw in a rant to top things off.

For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2022/11/hmmr-podcast-episode-286-planning-qa/

» Support the show: join HMMR PLUS to get full access to our coaching resources.

More notes:

• This episode is brought to you by HMMR Plus. Become a member for full access to our videos, articles, and podcast archives.
• You can find all of our top resources on planning and periodization on our topic page.
• For more on Nick's modular training templates, watch his latest video in the HMMR Classroom: Video Lesson 19 on the training session. You can also learn more about modular training in this article and how it can be individualized.
• We referenced Video Lesson 28: Advanced medicine ball training for more ideas on training elasticity.
• You can hear us answer more questions on Episode 272, Episode 257, Episode 247, Episode 246, Episode 241, Episode 213, Episode 199, Episode 176, Episode 174, Episode 143, Episode 126 and Episode 89.
• In regards to youth training, we referenced the recent GAINcast 253 with Paul Kilgannon.

When we chase power we often look to strength coaches for the answers. But some of the most powerful athletes in the world are throwers. Coach John Smith thinks we're asking the wrong people; we should be looking to the throwing coaches for the best examples of how to develop powerful athletes. Smith is one of the most successful in the NCAA. On this week's episode he talks about how he developed his unconventional approach to strength and power training, and much much more.

For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2022/10/hmmr-podcast-episode-285-the-real-strength-guy-with-john-smith/

» Support the show: join HMMR PLUS to get full access to our coaching resources.

More notes:

• This episode is brought to you by HMMR Plus. Become a member for full access to our videos, articles, and podcast archives.
• You can learn more about Smith's background on the Ole miss webpage.
• Smith also has done an interview with Long & Strong Throwers Journal which details a bit more about his own background, and this article about his work with Raven Saunders in 2017.
• For more throwing resources, check out the HMMR Media throwing hub which combines our top videos, articles, lessons, and other content about all of the throwing events.

Eccentric training has gained a lot of attention over the past few years. The benefits of eccentric training have always been clear; what has been difficult is finding ways to practically implement it. On this week's podcast James de Lacey joins us to discuss some easy ways you can implement eccentric training into your program, ideas on flywheel training, preparing for combat sports, concussions, and more.

For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2022/10/hmmr-podcast-episode-284-eccentric-training-with-james-de-lacey/

» Support the show: join HMMR PLUS to get full access to our coaching resources.

More notes:

• This episode is brought to you by HMMR Plus. Become a member for full access to our videos, articles, and podcast archives.
• You can follow de Lacey on Instagram (@jdelacey90). Also visit his site Sweet Science of Fighting or follow them on Instagram (@sweetscienceoffighting). He also runs Eat Big Eat Big (@liftbigeatbig).
• We discussed the Exerfly flywheel device on the podcast. Recently James de Lacey wrote an article about developing explosive power with creative solutions for eccentric overload using the flywheel. He also mentioned the work of Professor John Cronin who has a course on flywheel training and resources on his site.
• De Lacey is a frequent HMMR contributor. was also a guest on Episode 168 on rethinking rugby training and Episode 230 on preseason planning. He also put together this 8-week rugby preseason plan for members. His wife is a world class weightlifter and was a guest on Episode 194.
• Angus Ross has been a huge influence on our approach to eccentric training. He was our guest on GAINcast 83. You can see some of his notes on eccentric training in these slides from his 2016 SPRINZ presentation.
• We also discussed some of the work on concussions by Gary Turner, covered more in an interview de Lacey did with him.

Kara Winger has been the top American javelin thrower for 15 years. This season was her last, and she went out in style. Her season highlights included a world number 1 ranking, Diamond League title, World Championships silver medal, and an American record. She joins us on this week's podcast with her husband and coach Russ Winger to discuss what made this season such a success.

For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2022/09/hmmr-podcast-episode-283-going-out-on-top-with-kara-and-russ-winger/

» Support the show: join HMMR PLUS to get full access to our coaching resources.

More notes:

• This episode is brought to you by HMMR Plus. Become a member for full access to our videos, articles, and podcast archives.
• You can follow Kara Winger on Instagram (@karathrowsjav) as well as Russ (@russthrowsstuff and @longdraw_woodworks).
• Winger's retirement has been the subject of a lot of recent media, including these articles from Track and Field News and World Athletics.
• We've had several javelin throwers and coaches on our podcasts in the past, including Episode 268 with coach Asmund Martinsen and Episode 193 with Dana Lyon. The GAINcast has also featured GAINacst 156 with European champion Steve Backley, GAINcast 175 with coach Mike Barber, GAINcast 237 with Debbie Strange, GAINcast 106 with Goldie Sayers, GAINcast 229 with Kevin McGill, and GAINcast 230 with Ken Shannon. We also put together a video of specific strength exercises for the javelin from Irish record holder and World Championship finalist Terry McHugh.

A lot of information is out there about session planning for strength training. But that is only part of the equation for athletes and coaches. A bigger question is how can we better plan skills training to enhance motor learning? On this week‘s episode Professor Kevin Becker joins us again to brainstorm how we can rethink traditional session plans to help athletes acquire and improve skills.

For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2022/09/hmmr-podcast-episode-282-skills-session-planning-with-kevin-becker/

» Support the show: join HMMR PLUS to get full access to our coaching resources.

More notes:

• This episode is brought to you by HMMR Plus. Become a member for full access to our videos, articles, and podcast archives.
• You can read more research from Becker on his ResearchGate page. You can also follow him on Instagram (@drbeckerthrows).
• At GAIN this year Becker shared this extreme example of differential learning in the shot put as an example of thinking outside the box.
• Becker was also a guest on Episode 237 where he discussed feedback and cues. You can learn more in his full video lesson in the HMMR Classroom where he shares ideas on attentional focus, optimal feedback strategies, constraints in training, and more.
• Visit our motor learning topic overview page for more on motor learning, including many articles and videos about Frans Bosch’s approach to motor learning.

Good training sessions have a flow. A flow in intensity, a flow in organization, and they help athletes find a flow state as well. On this week's podcast we sit down with Steve Myrland to exchange ideas on session planning and a few tricks we all have to optimize training session planning and execution.

For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2022/08/hmmr-podcast-episode-281-finding-flow-with-steve-myrland/

» Support the show: join HMMR PLUS to get full access to our coaching resources.

More notes:

• This episode is brought to you by HMMR Plus. Become a member for full access to our videos, articles, and podcast archives.
• Myrland contributes to HMMR Media. You can find an archive of his articles on a variety of topics. He was a previously a guest on Episode 149, as well as GAINcast 25 and GAINcast 108.
• There are lots of practical videos from Myrland in the HMMR Classroom including mini band exercises in Video Lesson 12 mobility sets in Video Lesson 24, and sticks and straps in GAIN Video 1. In addition we have a presentation from him on long-term athlete development in Video Lesson 18 and a case study in rebuilding an NHL player in Video Lesson 21.
• Nick discussed his modular training, which he detailed in this article. In addition he referenced the influence of Glenn McAtee who was a guest on Episode 43.
• On the most recent GAINcast 249, Vern Gambetta also shared some ideas on rethinking training session design.

In the last few years Ryan Crouser has cemented himself as the top shot putter in the history of the sport. Behind the scenes along the way has been his father, helping him from his first throw to his world record. On this week's episode Mitch Crouser joins us to discuss his own throwing career, the long-term development plan he put in place for Ryan, how they developed their technical model, and what the future holds for the both of them.

For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2022/08/hmmr-podcast-episode-280-father-knows-best-with-mitch-crouser/

» Support the show: join HMMR PLUS to get full access to our coaching resources.

More notes:

• This episode is brought to you by HMMR Plus. Become a member for full access to our videos, articles, and podcast archives.
• You can follow Mitch Crouser on Instagram (@mitchcrouser) as well as his son Ryan (@rcrouser).
• There are a ton of interesting tidbits about Ryan Crouser and his training in this recent Track and Field News interview.
• Mitch and his brothers were the focus of a Sports Illustrated feature story back in 1985.
• For more interviews with top shot putters, check out Episode 98 with Reese Hoffa, Episode 46 with John Godina, Episode 267 with Andy Bloom, Episode 42 with Adam Nelson, and Episode 278 with Ryan Whiting.
• To learn more about shot put, check out the HMMR Classroom where we have video lessons on Nick Garcia’s rotational throwing progressions, Don Babbitt’s rotational shot put master class, and specific strength exercises for throwing.