Pacey Performance Podcast

Alistair McBurnie and Tom Dos’Santos join Rob on this week’s Pacey Performance Podcast. Alistair is a sports science analyst for Manchester United’s first team, having worked his way up from coaching at academy level. Tom is a lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University, where he teaches strength conditioning and sports biomechanics. Previously, he’s worked at the University of Salford, England Northwest and Manchester Thunder netball squads. They’re currently collaborating on research on multidirectional speed.

Alistair and Tom discuss how their partnership came into being through their university work, leading to their two-part review article being published in the Strength and Conditioning Journal. They then go into detail about multidirectional speed training, and how when done correctly it can reduce injuries such as muscle strains. Alistair and Tom also talk about how to sequence horizontal decelerations, and how to monitor them.

In addition to this, there’s also discussion on key metrics to look out for when using technology during testing, and the advancements in technology that is being adopted by football clubs such as Manchester United. Bearing in mind that this is only part 1 of Rob’s chat with Alistair and Tom, be sure to check back next week for even more expert insight.

On the podcast this week:

• Tom and Alistair’s work in multidirectional speed

Gareth featured on episode #367 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed -

• What is the anaerobic speed reserve

Check out the full episode with Gareth here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/anaerobic-speed-reserve-maximising-training-prescription-part-1/

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.

Joining Rob this week on the Pacey Performance Podcast is Jose Fernandez, leader of Sports Science at the Mahd Academy in Saudi Arabia. The Academy is part of the Ministry of Sport and has been tasked with developing athletic potential in the country. Previously, Jose was Head of Sports Science at Major League Baseball’s Houston Astros. Jose talks about his five-year journey, and how he’s moved from baseball to his current role. This has given him insight on how sports science in baseball differs from other sports, and how he built trust with the technical coaches at the Astros.

Jose also shares his views on athlete profiling and how training can be customised through data. We also talk about what Jose believes will be the next technological advance in sports science, whether wearables still have a future in data analysis, and the importance of biomechanics. There’s also some discussion on the ever more overlapping roles within professional sports, such as the crossover between data scientist, sports scientist, strength and conditioning, and recruitment of talent. For all this and much more, hit the play button now.

On this week’s podcast:

• Jose’s five-year journey

Dave featured on episode #322 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed -

• Using social media to your advantage when looking for a job

Check out the full episode with Dave here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/pacey-performance-podcast-322-david-slemen/

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 first Pacey Performance Podcast guest of 2022 sees the return of Sam Robertson, Professor of Sports Analytics at Victoria University. Prior to arriving at the university, Sam worked as a sport scientist in various roles in both Australia and the United Kingdom.

Since his last appearance, Sam has started his own One Track Mind podcast, exploring the science, technology, economics and politics of sport. Sam discusses a little about his podcast, including how he chooses guests and the topics they explore before moving on to the subject of sports technology. In addition to Sam’s definition of sports technology, he talks about FIFA’s criteria for choosing a sports technology partner, and how the data captured and advantages/disadvantages are often subjective to the individual coach or team.

Sam also discusses the democratisation of data, and how individuals can understand the return on investment of the technology they choose. There’s also debate on how sports data has affected fan engagement, and whether these developments have been positive for sport. Finally, Rob and Sam discuss how to subjectively choose a sports technology provider and the criteria we can all look out for. For all this insight and much more, hit the play button now.

This week’s topics:

• Sam’s definition of sports technology

As mentioned in the episode, you can be a part of a new initiative between Track VU and Sportsmith in the independant evaluation of sports technology by visiting sportsmith.co/tech

Cory featured on episode #358 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed -

• Using fixed resistance machines with elite athletes

Check out the full episode with Cory here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/weight-machines-the-most-under-utilised-way-to-train-in-season-in-the-nba/

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.

This weeks guest on the Pacey Performance Podcast is Ian Jeffreys. Ian is a Coach Educator and recently appointed Academic Director at Setanta College. Ian is an internationally renowned coach, educator and author. An ex professional rugby player, where he played at the highest level for 15 years, he is regarded as a world authority in the development of speed & agility and conditioning for team sports. His Gamespeed system of sport specific speed and agility development, along with his RAMP warm-up protocols have revolutionised training in these areas and have been adopted by a wide range of coaches and organisations around the world. 

In this episode of the podcast, Ian dives into why change of direction testing is becoming more and more redundant as we know more about training true agility. He also details why change of direction ability is only one part of the puzzle when it comes to coaching agility.

Ian gives some real life, practical examples of how we coach agility in closed and more importantly open scenarios. 

This weeks talking points -

• The link between teaching and coaching

Georgie featured on episode #294 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where she discussed -

• Common symptoms of each phase of the menstrual cycle

Check out the full episode with Georgie here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/pacey-performance-podcast-294-dr-georgie-bruinvels/

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.

This week’s Pacey Performance Podcast guest is Peformance Coach, Vernon Griffith. Previously, Vernon has been a consultant at Performance Explored, a Tactical Strength and Conditioning Association Presenter at the NSCA, and a High-Performance Director for basketball and football at Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School in Virginia.

Vernon has been a strength and conditioning coach for quite some time at various levels but had his first experience in coaching while enrolled in the military. Vernon talks about this time, and what led him to leave the armed forces for a new career. He also discusses how it has influenced his coaching style and taught him to value his time and what he can offer other people. Further to this, he tells us how he creates an environment conducive to coaching for those who may not necessarily enjoy team sports.

As part of his technical advice, Vernon discusses how to encourage movement exploration in the weight room, and the fundamental differences between movement and flexibility. What’s more Vernon and Rob talk about what athletes are capable of after recovering from injury, including how para athletes can influence techniques used with others. Finally, Vernon tells us about his online presence, and the content he finds value in sharing without feeling the need to generate controversy. For all this varied and invaluable insight, hit the play button now.

On the podcast this week:

• How to create an environment conducive to coaching

John featured on episode #361 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed -

• Benefits of eccentric training

Check out the full episode with John here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/how-to-incorporate-eccentric-training-into-a-strength-and-power-programme/

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.