Javi Miller-Estrada | Creating Robust and Skillful Athletes in the Return-to-Play Process

Ever wondered how to bridge the gap between the controlled world of physical therapy and the unpredictable realm of sports? In this episode, sports performance coach Javi Miller Estrada shares his innovative approach to the return-to-play (RTP) process, emphasizing the understanding of the intricate relationship between the athlete and their environment to enhance their skills.

Javi brings in a fresh perspective, emphasizing the importance of representative design, appropriate cueing and instruction, and the overall speed of activities in training. Javi also brings light to the concept of 'repetition without repetition' and how it impacts an athlete's return to play. We discuss the crucial role of communication and understanding in rehab. Javi stresses the impact of an athlete's comfort level and confidence on their performance. He also stresses the importance of creativity, problem-solving, and ownership in successful RTP. The conversation wraps up with a brief overview of Emergence's online courses and a preview of the 2023 Sport Movement Skill Conference.

Time Stamps:

[4:18] How experiencing an injury impacts perspective

[10:45] Shortcomings of current RTP protocols

[16:36] The importance of context when evaluating movement patterns

[21:08] Where does movement variability fit in the RTP process?

[25:46] Guiding athletes to expand their movement toolbox

[28:39] Assessing where to start after acute rehab

[34:22] Appropriately managing the intensity of representative activities

[40:59] Evaluating improvement and when to progress

[48:19] The coach's role in an athlete-centered process

[51:45] A preview of the 2023 Sport Movement Skill Conference

Javi Miller-Estrada is a sport movement specialist and the co-founder of Ignite Performance in Chandler, AZ. Ignite works with athletes from the youth to professional levels and specializes in working with high school athletes. As a team, they have helped over 100 athletes obtain college scholarships. Javi also is the host of the Adaptable Athlete Podcast, where he, along with his world-class guests, discuss topics in skill acquisition, sports psychology, and injury rehabilitation. Javi has dedicated himself to deeply investigating human movement and believes that taking a more modern approach to skill development leads to more effective outcomes and greater transfer to sport.

You can follow Javi on Instagram and see the online courses mentioned in the episode on Emergence's website.

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