Move the Needle: The Human Performance Podcast Rodrigo Alvira: Archetypes, Force Plates, VBT
Oct 8, 2025
Rodrigo Alvira, performance coach for the Detroit Pistons and founder of Spaniard Performance, dives deep into the world of sports science. He discusses the intriguing concept of archetyping in athletes, revealing how force-plate data can redefine those archetypes. With a focus on velocity-based training, he shares insights on using velocity targets for optimal training loads and the importance of progress tracking. Rodrigo also highlights how understanding jump dynamics can tailor training for individual athletes, making this conversation a must-listen for sports enthusiasts!
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Archetypes Are Sport-Specific
- Archetypes work best within a single sport and must be sport-specific rather than cross-sport.
- Expect broad spectra and overlapping traits, not fixed buckets for every athlete.
Use Data To Track Progress, Not Lock Labels
- Use data to monitor progression and change from training rather than to rigidly label athletes.
- Young or less-specialized athletes show clearer archetypal patterns on tests than fully developed professionals.
Dose The Opposite Quality To Improve
- Train athletes toward the opposite side of their dominant spectrum in small doses to get best results.
- For elastic athletes use slow/heavy and isometrics; for muscular athletes add high-volume, low-intensity plyometrics.
