Pacey Performance Podcast

In episode #485 of the Pacey Performance Podcast, Rob chats to High Performance Consultant, Martin Buchheit, to explore the critical aspect of evaluating performance staff within sports organizations. How success is measured among performance staff is often a topic of discussion and too often reduction in injuries or win:loss records are the best we can come up with.

We are expertsd in profiling our athletes, assessing their strengths and weaknesses before creating physical development plans for them. So why isn't that done with performance staff? Why aren't we judging performance staff on criteria that is highly relevant to individual roles? Martin explains that this is very much a cultural thing and due to the rapid rise in the number of performance staff, things haven't caught up with the corporate world yet.

So how can this be improved? How can managers start to put things in place for this to happen? Martin gives some recommendations for those at the top, but also those towards the bottom of the hierachy.

This episode offers actionable insights on enhancing objectivity in staff evaluations and fostering an environment that champions growth, adaptation, and excellence.

Main talking points:

• Why the current way to evaluate performance staff is flawed

In episode #484 of the Pacey Performance Podcast, Rob is joined by Eamonn Flanagan to dissect the intricacies of "true" plyometrics and their pivotal role in sports performance and rehabilitation.

Eamonn shares his journey into the world of plyometrics, sparked by undergraduate curiosity and further fueled by a colleague's PhD research. The discussion navigates the critical aspects of preparing athletes for plyometric training, underscoring the necessity of a solid foundation in strength.

Highlighting plyometric training's categorization based on intensity and athlete ability, Eamonn details the progression from lower to higher intensity exercises. The conversation also covers coaching strategies for effective plyometric training, including considerations for intent, surface, and intensity, and the importance of tailoring plyometric exercises to individual athlete needs and sport-specific demands.

Listeners will gain invaluable insights into implementing plyometric training safely and effectively, ensuring athletes not only enhance their performance but also minimize injury risks. Whether you're a coach, athlete, or sports science enthusiast, this episode offers a thorough exploration of plyometric training's principles and practical applications.

Main talking points:

• Categorizing plyometrics

In episode 483 of the Pacey Performance Podcast, Rob speakers to Director of Applied Sports Performance at Liberty University, Connor Schoepp. With a focus on the critical role of isometrics in enhancing athletic performance and aiding rehabilitation, Connor shares his extensive experience and insights gained over nine years in the collegiate professional level.

Delving into why isometrics have become a cornerstone in programming for high-speed sports, Connor outlines how these exercises improve motor learning, control, and can be specifically targeted to benefit athletes during their training and return to play phases. He emphasizes isometrics' versatility in providing high stimulus at a low cost, making it an indispensable tool for strength coaches aiming to develop athletes without interfering with their sport.

The conversation also tackles the logistical challenges of implementing isometric training within the constraints of collegiate athletics, showcasing practical solutions for integrating these exercises into training regimens. Connor highlights the importance of addressing the "big rocks" of hip, knee, and ankle performance and rehab, and how dynamic work and movement prep can be synergistically combined with isometrics to mimic on-field movement patterns.

Connor discusses his approach to hamstring rehab, highlighting the importance of isometrics in developing strength without exacerbating injury. By integrating dynamic work and movement prep with isometric exercises, he showcases how to effectively mimic on-field movement patterns and support the healing process.

If you're interested in learning more about isometric strength training and hamstring injury rehab, this episode is for you.

Main talking points:

• Isometrics' benefits for motor learning

In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, Rob is joined by Steve Short, the VP of Sports Medicine at the Denver Nuggets. With a wealth of experience in sports medicine, Steve delves into the complex world of assessing and rehabilitating hip and groin injuries in athletes.

Steve begins by sharing his journey in sports medicine and the challenges he's faced, particularly in dealing with hip and groin injuries common in court-based sports like basketball. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the morphological and functional changes that occur in athletes and how these contribute to injury risks.

The discussion then explores the differences in susceptibility to hip and groin injuries between males and females, with Steve providing insights into the nuances of diagnosis and rehabilitation for positive long-term outcomes. He stresses the importance of a thorough assessment process, including understanding pain referral patterns and considering anatomical and training statuses.

Steve highlights the individualized approach needed in treating such injuries, focusing on a conservative treatment plan and the importance of continuous communication and monitoring. He shares valuable strategies on how to handle these injuries, from the initial examination to the final stages of rehabilitation, ensuring athletes return to their peak performance safely.

The episode also covers practical aspects of rehabilitation, such as the use of reliable measures and tools like handheld dynamometers for regular assessment, and the importance of understanding muscle balance and force generation.

Steve concludes by emphasizing the need for a holistic understanding of the athlete's needs, incorporating rest and various modalities into the rehab process, and maintaining objective measures and strength exercises. He advocates for a focus on what athletes can do, rather than what they can't, to facilitate effective recovery.

Main talking points:

Gavin featured on episode #475 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed -

• Why we need to test neck strength

Check out the full episode with Alberto here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/methods-for-testing-and-training-neck-strength/

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.

In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, after 7 years since he first appeared on the show, Rob is joined by High Performance Consultant, Kelvin Giles. With a career spanning decades in both the UK and Australia, Kelvin brings a wealth of experience and insight into the challenges and successes of coaching. This episode takes an in-depth look at the shifting landscape of youth sports, focusing on the critical need for a holistic approach to training and well-being.

Kelvin, starting as a volunteer coach and rising to work with professional athletes, shares his journey and the lessons learned along the way. He delves into the changing culture in sports, particularly how the emphasis on results and rankings is negatively impacting young athletes' health, leading to increased injury rates and a decline in technical robustness.

The conversation then shifts to the detrimental effects of prioritizing competitive winning over overall health and well-being. Kelvin highlights the decline in fundamental movement skills among young people and stresses the importance of addressing this issue in schools and sports programs.

Recognizing the need for a paradigm shift, Kelvin discusses the necessity for coaches to prioritize individualized training and mentorship. He emphasizes the importance of developing movement literacy and foundational skills in young athletes, ensuring their physical health and performance are equally catered for.

In a profound reflection on the state of high-performance sports, Kelvin points out the often-overlooked consequences these programs have on the majority's health and well-being. The discussion underscores the need for a balanced approach, one that values foundational movements and physical activity in the education and training of young athletes.

Moreover, Kelvin provides practical advice on creating flexible and adaptive training programs. He advocates for a focus on personal bests and providing meaningful feedback, rather than just concentrating on outcomes. This approach, he argues, is vital for the holistic development of young athletes.

Towards the end of the episode, Kelvin stresses the significance of sharing resources and knowledge for the betterment of youth athlete health and performance. His commitment to this cause is evident through his work and the impactful resources he has made available to the broader coaching community.

Main talking points:

• Coaching journey from volunteer to professional level.

Alberto featured on episode #467 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed -

• What is curvilinear sprinting and why should we care

Check out the full episode with Alberto here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/curvilinear-sprinting-how-we-can-test-and-train-this-unique-quality/

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.

In this informative episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, host Rob Pacey is joined by Andy Ryland, Senior Manager of Education and Training at USA Football. They delve into the critical aspects of tackle technique in rugby and American Football, and the importance of building confidence in contact situations across sports. 

Andy, with his rich background in both American football and rugby, shares invaluable insights into the differences and similarities in coaching styles and tackle techniques between the two sports. The discussion emphasizes the evolution of tackle technique, focusing on neck safety and the reduction of head and helmet impacts. Andy highlights the significance of proper head placement and shoulder contact to minimize injuries.

The episode also explores how technical models for coaching certification can enhance safety and tackle effectiveness in football, alongside conditioning drills like grappling and tumbling to build athlete confidence. Additionally, they discuss the importance of neck strengthening exercises in contact sports and the role of social media in learning tackle techniques.

Throughout the episode, Andy also addresses the unique challenges faced by youth athletes in contact sports, emphasizing the reduced exposure to rough play in modern childhood and its impact on their ability to handle physical contact in sports. This insightful discussion extends to the significance of incorporating elements like hand fighting and physicality into speed training, which not only builds technical skill but also psychological resilience in young athletes. Furthermore, the podcast highlights how drills and conditioning, including innovative neck strengthening routines, can be customized for various sports to enhance safety and performance.

This episode is not just for those in collision sports but highly relevant to those working in sports like soccer, backetball and ice hockey where building confidence in contact situations is crucial.

Main talking points:

• Emphasis on safety in tackling technique.

I this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, Rob is talking to Coach and Founder of SpeedSig, Jason Weber. Jason first came on the podcast in 2015 when he was with the Fremantle Dockers in the AFL but since then has had roles in A-League soccer and the military.

But for the last 2 years Jason has been working on a new project, SpeedSig. In this episode, Jason takes us through his journey of using GPS to understand running loads but his frustration of wanting to understand HOW an athletes moves, not just how far they have run. This led to multiple projects and finally a PhD and a small business now working with some of the biggest sporting organisations in the world. He explains the process of capturing reliable data from lumbar and thoracic spine positioned GPS units to get metrics that help us understand that HOW.

In the second half of the episode, having visited hundreds of organisations across the world, Jason reflects on what he has seen and his own practice while working in the AFL and in soccer. He admits to "confusing the f*ck out of people with data" laterly in AFL and gives his thoughts on how people can learn from those mistakes. He is also a huge proponent of learning to code and encourages any sports scientist to go on that journey. He explains why and takes us on his own journey to master R. Jason's enthusiasm for this space is infectious and it will be of huge interest to practitioners across the world who are looking to understand HOW their athletes move using technology they are probably already wearing.

Main talking points:

• Why sports scientists should learn to code

In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, Rob delves into the evolving world of athlete support with Founder and CEO of 292 Performance Ben Rosenblatt and Managing Director, INTRA Performance Group James Collins. This discussion pivots around the growing trend of athletes assembling personalized support teams to elevate their performance and extend their careers.

Ben and James, with their extensive backgrounds in sports nutrition, strength conditioning, and sports biomechanics, share their insights into how athletes are increasingly seeking specialized, interdisciplinary support. They emphasize the craft of performance support and the vital role of trade skills in enhancing athlete capabilities.

Key discussion points include the importance of contextualizing support for each athlete, managing communication efficiently, and aligning team expectations. The conversation also covers the adaptation of scientific approaches to fit individual athlete needs, the benefits of cross-disciplinary knowledge sharing, and the significance of trust and clear communication in athlete-support team relationships.

Furthermore, the episode explores the challenges of integrating external services with club-managed support, the impact of athlete-centered interdisciplinary teams on stress and recovery perceptions, and the increasing role of data science and technology in making informed decisions for athlete development.

If you're in a club working with external coaches or you're an external coach yourself, or you just want to get to know more about this area, this one is for you.

Main talking points:

• Athletes are actively forming their own performance teams for career stages.