Dr. Adam Petway, an Adjunct Professor at Mississippi State University and expert in high-performance sport, dives deep into the mechanics of deceleration and change of direction in basketball. He shares insights from his extensive research across various programs and emphasizes the importance of understanding deceleration dynamics for improving athlete performance and coaching strategies. The discussion covers innovative testing methodologies, the interplay of cognitive and physical skills in defensive analytics, and the critical link between deceleration techniques and injury prevention.
Dr. Petway emphasizes the critical impact of understanding deceleration and change of direction on enhancing player performance and reducing injuries.
The podcast highlights the necessity for coaches to adapt their strategies based on athlete needs and team dynamics to improve training efficacy.
Dr. Petway advocates for applied research that produces actionable insights, bridging the gap between theory and practical application in sports performance.
Deep dives
Dr. Adam Petway's Background and Expertise
Dr. Adam Petway brings a wealth of experience to his current role, with a background that spans multiple sports including baseball, basketball, and track and field. He emphasizes the importance of applied research, focusing on how his findings can directly support coaches and practitioners in the field. Transitioning from coaching roles at various levels to academic positions, Dr. Petway maintains his connection with athletics by working with post-collegiate athletes and conducting hands-on research. His objective is to bridge the gap between theoretical study and practical application, ensuring that research serves the needs of those involved in sports performance.
Deceleration Research in Basketball
Dr. Petway's recent research focuses on the mechanics of deceleration and change of direction in basketball, aiming to quantify how these factors influence player performance. He gathered data from multiple college teams, assessing 24 different movements using force plates to analyze braking forces. The findings revealed significant variations in how athletes decelerate, influenced by both individual characteristics and team tactics. The research highlights the importance of understanding these mechanics not just for injury prevention, but also for enhancing players’ effectiveness on the court.
Adapting Coaching Styles and Strategies
Throughout his coaching career, Dr. Petway has learned the value of adapting to the unique cultures and dynamics of various sports teams. He recognizes that each sport has its own set of subcultures, requiring coaches to connect with athletes on multiple levels—both in their physical training and personal interests. Building genuine relationships with athletes is key to earning their trust and ensuring effective communication. This hands-on approach while applying research and coaching methods allows for more tailored support for athletes, enhancing both performance and personal development.
Lessons from Coaching and Performance Trends
Observations from diverse coaching experiences indicate that coaching effectiveness often hinges on the ability to incorporate player-centric strategies into training. Dr. Petway emphasizes the necessity of understanding athletes’ needs and how tactical approaches in practice sessions directly reflect their in-game performance. For instance, a team’s practice duration and intensity can significantly affect their success in subsequent games, with shorter, high-intensity practices yielding more positive results. This finding reinforces the idea that efficient training methodologies are essential for maximizing player output during competitions.
The Importance of Research Validity and Application
In his academic pursuits, Dr. Petway stresses the significance of producing applicable research that answers relevant questions in the performance field. He believes that researchers should prioritize studies that produce actionable insights for practitioners instead of undertaking projects with little real-world applicability. This viewpoint is reflective of a commitment to bridging theoretical knowledge with practical use, ultimately benefiting coaches and athletes alike. By maintaining a strong emphasis on application, research can truly influence and enhance sports performance practices.
Future Directions in Coaching and Athlete Performance
As Dr. Petway continues his work in athlete performance research, he envisions a future where the integration of deceleration mechanics and tactical training becomes standard. He proposes revisiting teams annually to measure changes in athlete profiles and adapt strategies accordingly, especially with frequent athlete transfers in collegiate basketball. This ongoing analysis can help refine training interventions to match the evolving dynamics of team compositions, offering personalized coaching strategies. Ultimately, his work aims to advance the understanding of athletic performance and inform future coaching practices within the ever-evolving landscape of competitive sports.
Dr Adam Petway - Adjunct Professor at Mississippi St University - joins us for the the 68th episode of MTN. Adam has an incredible background in high-performance sport and we were incredibly lucky to get him on today to chat about deceleration and change of direction. He's recently been diving deep into basketball deceleration (traveling all around the country visiting different programs) and we got to pick his brain about some of his findings, takeaways, and ideas for future research. Basketball or not, this episode has phenomenal takeaways for any sport involving decel and COD
Make sure you follow Adam on social media @adampetway
Find us on social media @mtn_perform and check back each Wednesday for a new episode
Big Thanks to our sponsor Lumin Sports:
Lumin continues to change the game within the AMS realm and recently launched their new strength builder platform. Head on over to luminsports.com - and mention Move the Needle at Check out to receive 20% off your first full year.
& a huge Thank You to our sponsor, Hawkin Dynamics:
Hawkin is the world leader in force measuring, and continues to put forth the tools for high-performance practitioners to be exactly that, high performers. If you haven't yet checked out Hawkins - head over to their website at: https://www.hawkindynamics.com/ and check out everything they have to offer
Make sure to check out our sponsor, Samson Equipment: Samson is a leader in manufacturing elite weight room equipment (and have been for nearly 50 years). Founded by Dave and Linda Schroeder, Samson is weight room equipment made by coaches for coaches. Check them out at samsonequipment.com for more information
Shoutout to our sponsor, 1080 Motion. The 1080 Sprint is the single best piece of training equipment in the world & has continually changed the game for training speed, strength, and power. Go to 1080motion.com to learn more.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
