S&C Chit Chat

In this episode of S&C Chit Chat, we sit down with Brian Sutton, Director of Football Performance at William & Mary, to discuss the nuances of athletic development and summer programming. A key focus of our conversation is the specialized training and conditioning required for offensive linemen. We break down the "strength-aerobic" methodology used to build the necessary capacity for linemen to thrive in the trenches, handle the physical demands of constant grappling, and maintain performance during high-intensity, long-drive scenarios. Beyond the line of scrimmage, we explore:

• Summer Programming: Strategies for building a general physical foundation and preparing athletes for the high-frequency demands of fall camp.
• Collaboration: How to bridge the gap between performance staff and position coaches to better align training terminology and specific movement techniques.
• Workload Monitoring: Practical approaches to assessing athlete fatigue and intensity through visual assessment and communication in the absence of advanced technology.

Whether you're looking to refine your off-season protocols or better integrate strength training with practice stressors, this episode provides actionable strategies for your program.

Join James Burk as he sits down with Coach Monte Sparkman to discuss the evolution of high school strength and conditioning programs. In this episode, they dive into shifting coaching philosophies that prioritize speed and movement quality over raw weight room numbers.They also explore practical strategies for managing successful athletic programs, including:

• Effective use of velocity-based training and diverse equipment, such as multi-grip bars.
• Logistics for grouping athletes of varying skill levels.
• Innovative motivational techniques, like performance-based shirt badges.
• The importance of staff collaboration and professional development in the strength coaching community.

Tune in for insights on building a program that balances long-term performance gains with athlete engagement.

In this episode of the S&C Chit Chat Podcast, James Burk sits down with Connor Myers to discuss the realities of installing a comprehensive strength and conditioning program at a new school. They share practical insights on navigating the professional transition, building culture, and managing logistical challenges with limited staff and resources.The conversation dives deep into technical methodologies, including the implementation of the Badger Protocol and Triphasic elements, alongside the practical use of APRE for autoregulation. They also explore effective coaching strategies like using command weights to manage groups and integrating contact prep and short-sided games to maximize athlete development and decision-making on the field.

Join us on this episode of the S&C Chit Chat Podcast as James Burk sits down with Strength and Conditioning Coach Brandon Antley for a candid conversation about the realities of high school athletic development. This episode explores both the technical and cultural aspects of running a successful weight room program.

In this episode, we cover:

• Program Culture: Strategies for building a program culture from scratch versus inheriting and evolving an existing one.
• Technical Proficiency: Why Olympic lifts remain non-negotiable and how to coach them effectively using manual observation and visual demonstration, even without advanced tracking tech.
• Programming Adaptability: Managing training sessions when faced with varying student experience levels, facility constraints, and complex schedules.
• Career Growth: Insights on networking, mentorship, and why every day on the floor functions as a professional job interview.

Whether you're looking to refine your technical coaching cues or develop your professional path in the strength and conditioning industry, this episode offers actionable takeaways straight from the field.

Join us for an insightful conversation with Zach Fowler of The Performance Course. We dive into non-traditional career paths in strength and conditioning, moving beyond college and high school coaching. Zach shares his journey from an 8-year-old athlete at PC to a Site Coordinator, the critical importance of initiative for young strength coaches, and how PC utilizes technology and specialized programming (including tiered systems and VBT) to train high school athletes. Plus, hear his recommendations for essential coaching qualities, a must-read book, and a top-tier podcast.

SOCIAL:

https://x.com/Z_Fowl37

https://www.instagram.com/zachfowler37/

The "S&C Chit Chat with Ross Garner" includes conversation about facility conflicts, staff introductions, and an in-depth look at Ross Garner's career path and high school strength and conditioning philosophies. Career Advice: Master's in Education + CSCS provides best job security for high school S&C coaches.

• Training Philosophy: Conjugate training approach, primarily using deadlifts and the snatch (preferred over the clean for high school athletes).
• Deadlift Focus: Strong belief in deadlift's carry-over to speed; emphasizes correcting upper back posture.
• Speed Training: Speed and jump work is done after strength training to "prime" athletes and teach them to "be fast tired."
• Technology & Grants: Used business background to secure two $5,000 grants for iPads and data collection (Rock Daisy).
• Job Stability: Highlighted the value of standalone, 12-month strength coach positions (like the one at Cleburne) for program consistency.
• Recommendations: Book: Chosen Suffering. Podcast: Voodoo Power with Steve Thompson.

COACH GARNERS LINKTREE:

https://linktr.ee/coachrgarner

https://www.instagram.com/coachrgarner/

SOCIAL FOR COACH GARNER:

https://x.com/CoachRGarner

OTHER PODCASTS COACH GARNER HAS BEEN ON:

https://rss.com/podcasts/victoryoverselfradio/

https://youtu.be/WSvH6RUejB8?si=z0dDIu1UP3y9ScEK

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chosen-suffering-friday-night-speed-w-coach-ross-garner/id1659846420?i=1000749257750

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nhssca/episodes/Work-Capacity-with-Ross-Garner--Effingham-County-High-School-e3e4opf

https://www.youtube.com/live/YSU3CKG4_jI?si=OOrZgjiwM3ULCvQU

Michael Gragg does a phenomenal job at Harding University and in this podcast. I on the other hand did less than desirable in pressing record for the first 10 minutes.

Tune in for a "S&C Chit Chat" with Coach Michael Gragg from Harding University. We break down the technical and philosophical pillars of their national championship-winning strength and conditioning program. Topics include: the use of Catapult GPS, VBT systems (Vitru), and a Just Jump mat for athlete readiness; the high-low, four-day offseason training split; and the core importance of ground-based movement, team culture, and earned player autonomy.

SOCIAL:

https://www.instagram.com/mdgragg50/?hl=en

https://x.com/MichaelGragg

OTHER PODCAST:

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/culture-warrior-michael-gragg-head-strength-conditioning/id1806921751?i=1000719474083

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4HuTrzh36Z4ZB4Jd2khe9D

https://castro.fm/share/episode/2X4rs3

https://youtu.be/aTID4ANcpFg?si=oCfHzMIgOlr8zQdU

https://youtu.be/oH9mrOoRAdI?si=OMySWkVSnb_BVorf

In this episode, James Burk, Brock Calvo, Jaxson Money, and Colin Elliot chat with HSU alumni Cameron Prater, an alum who is now the Internship Coordinator and Sports Science Coordinator for SMU Football. They dive into Prader's career journey, from his time at Hardin-Simmons University to his professional blueprint. The discussion covers his philosophy for training interns—prioritizing hard work and on-time arrival—and the core principles of SMU's football strength and conditioning program, including their four-day upper/lower split, daily posterior chain work, and the use of the Catapult system with "Player Load" as a key metric.

SOCIAL:

https://www.instagram.com/primetimeprater/?hl=en

In this must-listen episode of S&C Chit Chat, we sit down with John Bloom—Strength and Conditioning Coach at Parish Episcopal School, founder of Elevated Athlete Development, and host/author of the Strength and Numbers podcast and book. John provides incredible insight into his transition from collegiate D1 men's basketball to running his own private business, Elevated Athlete Development, discussing the motivations for seeking greater autonomy. We dive deep into:

• The Power of Mentorship: John shares how Tim Ferriss’s Tribe of Mentors inspired him to write his book, creating an essential resource for new S&C professionals.
• Coaching Certifications & Business Savvy: Hear his take on the practical value of certifications like Precision Nutrition versus the CSCS, and the importance of hiring smart people and developing marketing and sales systems in a private coaching business.
• Training Philosophy: We cover his application of FRC and RPR components at the high school level, how he defines training "blocks" as a superset of exercises, and his approach to training young athletes for skill acquisition.

John also shares a vital piece of advice for new coaches—focus on coaching competence first—and recommends Range by David Epstein. Don't miss this one!

SOCIAL:

https://www.instagram.com/johnbloom30/?hl=en

https://x.com/johnbloom30?lang=en

OTHER PODCAST:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-strength-in-numbers-podcast/id1811118851

https://basketballimmersion.com/the-basketball-podcast-ep359-with-john-bloom-on-insights-from-expert-coaches/

https://www.samsonequipment.com/strength-coach-podcast/e133-john-bloom/?srsltid=AfmBOoo2u0G0E4oIM7BXYeG0Udecld5Yx06ueboZqqo42_bnHjNoYHpA

https://coachobrien.com/episode-133/

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/strengthcoachcollective/episodes/John-Bloom--Episode-133-e2buatb/a-aak21i2

S&C Chit Chat is your essential resource for actionable strength and conditioning coaching philosophies. Join us as we dive deep with leading experts like Coach Scott Leech of Rhode Island to discuss cutting-edge athlete development. We cover everything from programming strategies—including prioritizing RDLs and a five-day high-low offseason structure—to hands-on coaching techniques like "scores and stops" and "contact prep" drills. Gain the confidence and practical knowledge you need to build athlete buy-in and implement new methods, moving beyond "old school" ways. Perfect for coaches, interns, and anyone passionate about modern S&C.

SOCIAL:

https://www.instagram.com/sleech72/

https://x.com/ScottLeech72

PRODUCTS:

Gridiron Warrior- https://scottleech72.gumroad.com/l/Gridiron

Scores and Stops- https://scoresandstops.com/

Contact Prep Course- https://scottleech72.gumroad.com/l/Contact

OTHER PODCAST:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gridiron-warrior-podcast/id1844851139

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/scott-leech-merging-football-training/id1695907028?i=1000675015028

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/smarter-high-school-strength-conditioning-with-scott/id267200514?i=1000741932336

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/scott-leech-designing-and-implementing-better-agility/id1527568824?i=1000723934077

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-better-athletes-scott-leech-on-high-school/id1720375694?i=1000657146125