In this episode #487 of the Pacey Performance Podcast, Ted Rath, Vice President of Player Performance for the Philadelphia Eagles, shares invaluable insights from his extensive career in the NFL. Rath explores the critical aspects of athletic performance in American football, emphasizing the importance of precision training tailored to individual needs and positions. With a background as a strength and conditioning coach and a former college football player, he highlights the philosophy behind player development, focusing on building power, resilience, and efficiency through carefully designed training programs.

Ted delves into offseason preparation strategies, including isometrics and eccentric work, to prevent injuries and enhance performance. He also discusses the significance of analyzing athletes' movement patterns and injury histories to optimize their performance and durability. Rath touches on the adaptation of training regimens to meet the specific requirements of different player positions and the use of technology, like RFID tracking, to align training intensity with game demands.

This episode offers a deep dive into Ted's holistic approach to athlete development, combining science and empathy in leadership.

Give it a listen!

Main talking points:

• Offseason training
• Pre-season training
• Individualising training based on position and movement pattern
• On-field tracking
• How to use isometrics to prepare players for dynamic work
• Individualising plyometrics for big guys