Brett Leonard Part I - Data-Driven Player Development

In this episode of 'The Next Next,' host Jason Jacobs delves deep into the nuances of athlete development with guest Brett Leonard, a former UVM hockey captain turned elite player development coach. Leonard discusses his journey from building a local gym and coaching Vermont youth hockey to specializing in video-driven, data-centric training methods for D1 and pro athletes. The conversation explores the importance of game situational practice over traditional drill-based training, and Leonard shares insights on how leveraging data analytics can significantly improve player development. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of sports training. 

00:00 Introduction to The Next Next 

00:51 Meet Brett Leonard: From UVM Captain to Elite Hockey Trainer 

04:41 Brett's Early Hockey Journey and Family Influence 

08:49 The Importance of Multi-Sport Play and Free Play 

17:54 Transition from Player to Coach: Building Vermont Hockey Training Center 

20:32 Specialized Training: From Mass Development to Elite Individual Focus 

29:04 The Light Bulb Moment 

29:28 Off-Puck Strategies 

30:20 Analyzing Player Performance 

32:17 Tracking and Customizing Player Data 

35:53 Manual vs. Automated Data Tracking 

38:16 Data-Driven Player Development 

41:07 Challenges and Future of Player Development 

51:53 Practical Training Techniques 

57:47 Concluding Thoughts and Future Directions