Peak Performance for Soccer Podcast

In this recap of Chapter 2 of Peak Performance for Soccer, Alex and Adam break down key themes from Episodes 4–6. They explore the complex transition from academy to first team, the foundations of physical development, and how communication and long-term planning shape player success. With insights from Berger, Carpels, and Plaskett, this episode highlights what it really takes—physically and mentally—for young players to thrive at the highest level.

In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer, Alex chats with Nathan Plaskett about his unconventional journey through elite sport—from canoeing and rugby league to English football and tactical performance roles. Nathan unpacks lessons from his time at Derby County, the importance of movement competency in youth development, and how diverse experience shaped his performance philosophy. Plus, he offers practical advice for coaches considering international moves. 

Alex sits down with Thomas Carpels, Head of Performance at Royal Antwerp. Thomas shares his journey from Rangers FC to leading physical development at one of Belgium’s top clubs. He unpacks the complexities of managing young players' workloads, balancing strength training with match congestion, and the psychological toll of high-performance environments. Plus, Thomas reflects on his PhD research and the viral pitch moment that followed Antwerp’s historic title win. 

Alex Berger discusses his career trajectory, starting with six years in the UK working for various football academies, including Millwall, Leicester City, West Brom, and Charlton. He then returned to Australia, working with the Olyroos and Manly United. Berger emphasizes the importance of physical development phases in football, citing England's EPPP guidelines. He highlights the challenges of integrating young players into professional football and the need for continuous physical development. Berger is also pursuing a PhD on training load differences between club and national team environments. He shares his insights on speed development and movement efficiency, advocating for better coaching in these areas.

Alex and Adam discussed the structure and content of Chapter one - the role of the practitioner. Alex and Adam highlighted the structures within soccer environments, focusing on organizational values, multidisciplinary team leadership models, and the transition from generalist to specialist roles. Alex and Adam also discussed the role of emotional intelligence (EQ) in the practice of sports, emphasizing its importance in communication, decision-making, and managing emotions. They explored how practitioners can use EQ to handle challenging situations, such as delivering bad news or managing player emotions.

Alex and Anthony discussed Anthony's journey from personal training to his current role. Anthony shared his experiences, including studying Kinesiology, working as a personal trainer, and coaching soccer. He emphasized the importance of communication and coaching skills in his career. Alex highlighted the unspoken values and challenges in the field, and the need for a traditional progression. Anthony's journey serves as a valuable example for those entering the industry.

Alex Calder interviews Oliver Morgan about his career in football performance. Morgan discusses his journey from an intern at Coventry to his current role as Head of Performance Support at Leicester City, highlighting his tenures at Liverpool and Celtic. He explains the evolution of Academy football, including the Elite Player Performance Plan (Triple P) and the growth of sports science departments. Morgan emphasizes the importance of collaboration, emotional intelligence, and adaptability in football performance. He also touches on his ongoing research into agility and change of direction in football, aiming to develop new testing methods and improve player development.

Alex Calder interviews Anton Matinlauri, a Finnish practitioner with extensive certifications, and currently the Head of Strength and Conditioning at LAFC. Anton discusses his journey from a small club in Colombia to LAFC, highlighting the evolution of his role from a generalist to a more specialized practitioner. He emphasizes the importance of practical knowledge over theoretical, the benefits of having two directors for performance and medicine, and the cultural differences between European and American sports. Anton also shares his current projects, including a master's in tactical analysis, and his personal experiences of living in the U.S., missing Finnish traditions like sauna and ice swimming.

Alex and Adam discussed their experiences as performance coaches in football. They shared their journey of creating a book with over 40 contributors from 21 leagues and 6 continents, which took about two years to complete. The book serves as a guide for new practitioners in the industry. They also discussed their plans to create a podcast, where they will interview the book's contributors to discuss their progress and share new insights.