JT Ayers Episode 27 "Mass Specific Force and Building a Sustainable Culture of Speed"

On Episode 27 I sat down with JT Ayers Head Track and Field Coach at Trabuco Hills High School. We start our conversation by talking about the importance of growth and how mentors and networking naturally facilitate growth. Coach Ayers is a big believer in talking with individuals and giving and learning from one another. Our first major talking point highlights one of the systems that coach Ayers utilizes known as Mass Specific Force. It is a lifting system where athletes will only lift %'s 85 and up for low repetitions while excluding the eccentric loading portion of the lift. The hex bar deadlift is a staple of the system and makes it easy to facilitate the desired workout for a large group of athletes. The rationale is that it increases force production into the ground while also keeping the athletes body weight low due to the exclusion of hypertrophic means within the system. Coach Ayers shares why rest is important between sets and how he also stacks plyometrics to get the optimum adaptation. One of the main things that has always stood out to me about JT Ayers and his program at Trabuco Hills is the culture that his track and field teams exude. Coach Ayers shares how he records, ranks, and publishes 40s for not only his track team but for all competitive teams on campus and anyone that wishes to attempt. This is a great way to gain support and peak interest in the program. Coach Ayers shares some of his considerations for preparation for competition and he really drives home the importance of developing an understanding of the event that individuals athletes participate in. Coach Ayers also shares why he feels Dual meets are a perfect speed training day while also getting in important competition time. Coach Ayers discussed earlier how he records, ranks and publishes 40s so we spend some time looking at some of the metrics particularly in off season that he will use to assess athlete readiness's and development. Coach Ayers shares his philosophy on off season development and if I had to boil it down it would be steady incremental development, don't over shoot, leave some for tomorrow. We close out by talking about how we as coaches and preparatory professionals can keep and foster a love of sprinting and athletic pursuits. Overall this is a great episode, packed with useful information on preparation and the facilitation of a sustainable culture within in a program. Check out the links below for links to JT Ayers Twitter, Website, and Podcast.  @CoachJTAyers  Coach Ayers Performance https://www.coachayers.com/ Coach Tube Mass Specific Force Course https://coachtube.com/course/track-and-field/lifting-for-speed/12762446 Simplifaster Mass Specific Force Article https://simplifaster.com/articles/mass-specific-force-lifting-sprinters/ The On Track and Field Podcast! https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/the-on-track-field-podcast/id1566553650