Managing and maximising the rise in individual athlete support teams with Ben Rosenblatt and James Collins
Jan 4, 2024
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Ben Rosenblatt and James Collins, experienced in sports nutrition and performance, discuss the rise of personalized athlete support teams. They highlight the importance of contextualizing support, efficient communication, and aligning team expectations. The conversation covers adapting scientific approaches, cross-disciplinary knowledge sharing, trust in relationships, integrating external services, athlete-centered interdisciplinary teams, and the role of data science and technology.
Athletes are increasingly assembling personalized support teams to optimize their performance and extend their careers.
Clear communication, evidence-based decision-making, and open dialogue are essential to ensure a positive working relationship between clubs and external support networks.
External support teams prioritize confidentiality, discretion, and building trust through clear contractual agreements to focus on performance optimization and respect individual needs.
Deep dives
Importance of Individualized Support
Athletes are increasingly seeking more individualized support and coaching outside of their club environments. This phenomenon extends beyond high-level sports and is also seen in lower-level leagues. The demand for individual support arises from players wanting to optimize their performance across different moves and stages of their careers. Agents and management agencies are recognizing the value of providing holistic support and seeking ways to extend athletes' careers. The focus is on creating long-term programs and multidisciplinary teams that cater to the specific needs of each player. External coaches and support systems are sought after for expertise and help in answering performance questions. The aim is to provide continuous support and foster clear communication and collaboration between the club, player, and external support providers.
The Role of External Support in Performance Optimization
External support teams and coaches are not a new phenomenon in elite sport. They have been a part of the landscape for a long time. The purpose of these support teams is to provide additional expertise and resources to optimize performance. Clubs and organizations should embrace external support as an extension of their own teams, working together to enhance athletes' development and success. Athletes seek individualized support to address specific performance questions and align their training with their personal values. However, challenges arise when there is a lack of communication and a disagreement in philosophy between the club and the external support network. Clear communication, evidence-based decision-making, and open dialogue are essential to mitigate conflicts and ensure a positive working relationship.
Building Trust and Confidentiality in External Support
External support providers, such as nutritionists and strength coaches, emphasize the importance of confidentiality and discretion. Athletes value professionalism and discreet support rather than being showcased on social media like a personal brand. Trust is established through clear contractual agreements, which protect both parties involved. Long-term contracts ensure continuity and allow for challenging the athlete while building confidence. The goal is to establish a professional working relationship that focuses on performance optimization, respects privacy, and provides support tailored to individual needs. External support teams aim to refine and improve the athlete's performance without leveraging their personal stories for marketing purposes.
Clarifying Expectations and Building Trust
One of the main points highlighted in the podcast is the importance of clarifying expectations and building trust between external support teams and the clubs they work with. This involves open communication and collaboration to ensure everyone is on the same page. The external support teams stress the need for a cohesive service and establish clear roles and responsibilities. They emphasize the importance of evidence-based approaches and framing problems in terms of outcomes. The team works closely with players to foster ownership and competencies, while also recognizing the context and complexities of decision-making within clubs.
Data Sharing and Integration
Data sharing and integration is another key aspect discussed in the podcast. The external support teams focus on collecting and sharing data to inform decision-making and optimize performance. They emphasize the importance of permission and consent from players when sharing their data with clubs. The objective is to provide a more comprehensive and interdisciplinary service by integrating various types of data, such as training data, nutrition information, and performance measurements. The aim is to enhance communication and collaboration between external support teams and clubs, ensuring a unified approach to player development and performance optimization.
In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, Rob delves into the evolving world of athlete support with Founder and CEO of 292 Performance Ben Rosenblatt and Managing Director, INTRA Performance Group James Collins. This discussion pivots around the growing trend of athletes assembling personalized support teams to elevate their performance and extend their careers.
Ben and James, with their extensive backgrounds in sports nutrition, strength conditioning, and sports biomechanics, share their insights into how athletes are increasingly seeking specialized, interdisciplinary support. They emphasize the craft of performance support and the vital role of trade skills in enhancing athlete capabilities.
Key discussion points include the importance of contextualizing support for each athlete, managing communication efficiently, and aligning team expectations. The conversation also covers the adaptation of scientific approaches to fit individual athlete needs, the benefits of cross-disciplinary knowledge sharing, and the significance of trust and clear communication in athlete-support team relationships.
Furthermore, the episode explores the challenges of integrating external services with club-managed support, the impact of athlete-centered interdisciplinary teams on stress and recovery perceptions, and the increasing role of data science and technology in making informed decisions for athlete development.
If you're in a club working with external coaches or you're an external coach yourself, or you just want to get to know more about this area, this one is for you.
Main talking points:
Athletes are actively forming their own performance teams for career stages.
Enhanced communication and interdisciplinary support are key to make this work
Dedicated support teams positively impact athletes' stress and recovery perceptions.
Support teams across sports share knowledge to adapt science to individual needs.
Athlete support teams are becoming broader networks for clubs and organizations.
Efficient communication and data sharing are vital for support team effectiveness.
Athletes receive continuous support throughout their careers for better performance.
Support teams are extending individualized services to cater to loan players' needs.
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