Using Play to Improve Feet and Coordination

Today’s guest is Austin Jochum. Austin Jochum is the founder of Jochum Strength, a former All-Conference safety turned performance coach known for playful, movement-rich training. He blends strength, speed, and adaptability to help athletes build real-world capability and enjoy the process. So often, coaches inadvertently play by the formal “rules” of coaching, through substantial instruction, within smaller boxes of training. Gameplay and sport itself are the ultimate example of task-based stimulation, chaos, and problem-solving, and the more we learn from it, the more effective our training can become. In this episode, Austin Jochum and I explore how coaching transforms when you trade rigid cues for play, stimulus, and athlete-driven learning. We dig into why intent and novelty matter, how to “win the day” without chasing constant PRs, and the power of environments that let athletes self-organize. Austin speaks on his recent dive into improving his Olympic lifting, and subsequent improvement in explosive athletic power, along with the masculine and feminine nature of the snatch and clean and jerk, respectively. Finally, Austin also breaks down the JST Olympics—his team-based approach that’s exploding motivation, competition, and performance in the gym. Today’s episode is brought to you by Hammer Strength and LILA Exogen wearable resistance. Use the code “justfly20” for 20% off any Lila Exogen wearable resistance training, including the popular Exogen Calf Sleeves. For this offer, head to Lilateam.com Use code “justfly10” for 10% off the Vert Trainer View more podcast episodes at the podcast homepage. (https://www.just-fly-sports.com/podcast-home/) 0:00 – Austin’s background, wrestling influence, and early training lens 8:12 – How wrestling shaped his coaching, problem-solving, and creativity 14:30 – Working with movement constraints, unpredictability, and the “maze” idea 22:40 – Why he prioritizes exploration over instruction 31:18 – Building athletic bandwidth through games and environmental design 38:01 – Touch on wrestling in training and contact-oriented movement 45:10 – Heavy rope training, rhythm, and full-body sequencing 52:46 – Hiring coaches and building culture inside his gym 1:01:37 – Athlete intuitiveness, imitation, and imitation-driven learning 1:10:55 – Recovery methods, cold exposure, and principles behind them 1:18:42 – Breathing mechanics, sensory awareness, and relaxation 1:24:52 – Tempo, rhythm, and “feel” in athletic movement 1:30:48 – Coaching philosophy and where Austin is heading next Actionable Takeaways 8:12 – Use problem-solving sports to shape athletic intelligence Wrestling taught Austin to read bodies, adapt instantly, and explore solutions without external cues. Add low-level grappling or tagging games to build instinctive reaction. Favor tasks where athletes solve problems on their own rather than through constant cueing. Let athletes “feel” leverage, pressure, and timing instead of explaining it. 14:30 – Build constraints that shape behavior instead of commanding technique Austin’s “maze” concept uses environment and rules to funnel athletes into better movement patterns. Use boundaries, footwork boxes, or timing rules to nudge athletes into desired solutions. Ask “what would make the athlete naturally move better?” instead of “how do I cue it?” Encourage unpredictable tasks that force athletes to explore and adapt. 22:40 – Exploration outperforms instruction for long-term development Austin finds that athletes learn faster when they discover solutions. Give them space to experiment before layering instruction. Adjust one variable at a time and let athletes reorganize around it. Use questions (“What did you feel? What would you try next?”) to guide reflection. 31:18 – Games expand movement bandwidth Austin uses play-based drills to build coordination, elasticity, and adaptability. Rotate games: tag, dodgeball variations, reactive pursuit, to challenge perception-action loops. Use small-sided tasks to increase decision density without overthinking. Keep the focus on fun: fun increases intent and frees up movement quality. 38:01 – Use wrestling-inspired drills for strength without rigidity Wrestling movements gave Austin strong connective tissue without bulky lifting. Use partner-resistance tasks for whole-body strength and tension awareness. Build isometrics out of wrestling positions for joint integrity. Allow controlled chaos; body contact builds stabilizing capacity. 45:10 – Heavy rope work for rhythm, sequencing, and tissue tolerance Austin relies on heavy rope patterns for global coordination. Use ropes to sync hands, feet, hips, and breath. Program flowing, continuous patterns to teach timing and smooth force transfer. Start with simple rhythms, then build patterns that cross midline. 52:46 – Culture and community determine training success Austin emphasizes hiring people who share curiosity and a growth mindset. Build environments where coaches model exploration, not perfection. Encourage shared training, shared learning, and open dialogue. Make the gym a place where athletes feel safe to try new things. 1:01:37 – Encourage imitation and athlete-led learning Austin sees imitation as a primary learning driver. Let athletes watch each other and imitate good movers. Create partner structures where athletes observe and mirror. Limit over-coaching so imitation can self-organize movement. 1:10:55 – Use recovery tools to teach regulation, not toughness Cold exposure and breathing work are about awareness and control. Focus on downregulation, not chasing extreme discomfort. Teach athletes how to relax under stress through controlled exposures. Keep recovery practices consistent and simple. 1:18:42 – Breathing for awareness and movement refinement Austin uses breath as a sensory anchor for better movement feel. Teach nasal breathing during warmups to increase internal awareness. Pair breath with movement tasks to improve timing and relaxation. Explore slow breathing to reduce unnecessary tension. 1:24:52 – Rhythm and tempo drive better movement than force Austin believes rhythm is the “glue” of athleticism. Use music, metronomes, or rhythmic cues to build flow. Train movements at different tempos to expand adaptability. Emphasize smoothness over force output when teaching skills. 1:30:48 – Stay curious and evolve your practice Austin’s philosophy centers around lifelong learning. Revisit old drills with new perspectives. Explore different disciplines (dance, wrestling, martial arts). Let your own training experiment inform your coaching. Quotes from Austin Jochum “Wrestling taught me to solve problems in real time. You can’t fake instinct in that environment.” “When you build the right constraint, you don’t have to coach as much. The environment does the teaching.” “Exploration gives athletes ownership. They learn the lesson at a deeper level.” “Games create bandwidth. The more options you give the athlete, the more adaptable they become.” “Wrestling positions gave me strength that the weight room couldn’t.” “Ropes taught me rhythm and timing. They connect the whole body.” “Culture is the system. If the environment is right, the training takes care of itself.” “I want athletes to imitate great movement, not memorize cues.” “Cold exposure isn’t toughness. It’s learning how to regulate yourself under stress.” “Breathing is awareness. It gives you access to better movement.” “Rhythm is the missing piece in performance. Smooth beats strong.” “The more curious I am, the better my athletes get.” About Austin Jochum Austin Jochum is the founder of Jochum Strength, a performance coach known for blending old-school grit with modern movement science. A former University of St. Thomas football player and All-Conference safety, Austin built his philosophy around “training the human first,” emphasizing play, adaptability, and athletic expression over rigid templates. His coaching blends strength, speed, breathwork, and movement variability, creating athletes who are not just powerful—but resilient and skillful in chaotic environments. Through his in-person gym in Minnesota, online programs, and the Jochum Strength Podcast, Austin has become a leading voice in community-driven athletic development, helping athletes and everyday movers reconnect with their bodies, build real-world ability, and enjoy the process.