Kevin Neeld on FAI, Movement Variability, and Eccentric Training in Ice Hockey

Kevin Neeld is the Head Performance Coach for the Boston Bruins, where he oversees all aspects of designing and implementing the team’s performance training program, as well as monitoring the players’ performance, workload and recovery.

Prior to his time in Boston, Kevin spent 2 years as an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach for the San Jose Sharks after serving as the director of a private sports performance facility in New Jersey for 7 years, working with pro, college, junior and elite level youth hockey players. He also served as a strength and conditioning coach with the U.S. Women’s Olympic Ice Hockey Team for 5 years.

This episode is chock-full of great information, as we break down topics like movement variability, how to train the brakes and build better deceleration, and what he’s learned working in professional sports for the past 7 years.

I think of movement variability in two buckets: There’s micro-movement variability on the individual joint level, and macro-movement variability which is more the global movement patterns and movement sequencing.  – Kevin Neeld

This Week on the Physical Prep Podcast:

* The formal bio/intro, and what’s new in Kevin’s world.

* How he addresses and works around FAI (femoral acetabular impingement) with his athletes.

* His current thoughts on movement variability, and how he address this throughout his programs.

* How Kevin is training the brakes and improving deceleration with his athletes.

* The various eccentric training methods he’s using in his programs.

* Kevin’s thoughts on how you can incorporate plyos into a program without sacrificing strength.

* Lessons he’s learned during his 7 years working in the NHL.

* The mistakes he’s made, and how he’s grown and evolved from them.

* And last but not least, Kevin’s professional goals for the upcoming year!

Connect with Kevin:

* KevinNeeld.com

* Kevin on Instagram

Related Links:

* Matthew Ibrahim on Building the Brakes and Training Deceleration

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