AFL Performance Tips for Strength & Conditioning Coaches & Footballers
Prepare Like a Pro with Jack Mclean
Welcome to the “AFL Performance Tips for Strength & Conditioning Coaches & Footballers" your go-to resource for invaluable insights into the world of elite sports. We're here to empower footballers and high-performance staff with the knowledge and expertise needed to excel in the AFL arena. Prepare to take your game to the next level with our expert guidance.
In this podcast, we tackle a range of burning questions often asked by those striving for excellence in the AFL. From understanding the distance AFL players cover and their training regimen to breaking into elite sports as a strength & conditioning coach and exploring pathways to the AFL, we've got you covered.
Every Monday, we release a new episode that provides updates on upcoming live interviews and fresh insights from AFL players, senior coaches, sports psychologists, strength and conditioning coaches, sports dietitians, and other leading figures in the industry. These experts share their career journeys, success stories, and practical tips for athletes and high-performance staff alike.
Don't miss our weekly live conversations on the Prepare Like a Pro YouTube channel, where you can watch these discussions and get notified about new content. For more resources, freebies, and blog posts, join our newsletter, and stay connected with us on Instagram. Your feedback matters, so let Jack know how we can make our podcasts even better and suggest the topics you'd like us to cover next.
To explore the wealth of information we offer, visit our website at https://preparelikeapro.com/, and if you're ready to take your training to the next level, join our academy membership at https://preparelikeaproacademy.com.au/. Get ready to prepare like a pro and unlock your full potential in the world of AFL high performance! Also don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@PrepareLikeAPro to get more high performance value!
In this podcast, we tackle a range of burning questions often asked by those striving for excellence in the AFL. From understanding the distance AFL players cover and their training regimen to breaking into elite sports as a strength & conditioning coach and exploring pathways to the AFL, we've got you covered.
Every Monday, we release a new episode that provides updates on upcoming live interviews and fresh insights from AFL players, senior coaches, sports psychologists, strength and conditioning coaches, sports dietitians, and other leading figures in the industry. These experts share their career journeys, success stories, and practical tips for athletes and high-performance staff alike.
Don't miss our weekly live conversations on the Prepare Like a Pro YouTube channel, where you can watch these discussions and get notified about new content. For more resources, freebies, and blog posts, join our newsletter, and stay connected with us on Instagram. Your feedback matters, so let Jack know how we can make our podcasts even better and suggest the topics you'd like us to cover next.
To explore the wealth of information we offer, visit our website at https://preparelikeapro.com/, and if you're ready to take your training to the next level, join our academy membership at https://preparelikeaproacademy.com.au/. Get ready to prepare like a pro and unlock your full potential in the world of AFL high performance! Also don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@PrepareLikeAPro to get more high performance value!
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 28, 2025 • 22min
#153 - What Coaches Often Miss About ACL Injury Prevention
Highlights from the episode:
✅ Top three tests every coach need before clearing an athlete to play
✅ Why reactive training with chaos beats traditional rehab methods
✅ The strength markers that determine when athletes can start sprinting
✅ How to monitor athletes after they return to prevent re-injury
✅ Expert resources that will transform your ACL prevention program
Do you have feedback on the show? We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and tell us what you love and what you think could be better. And, if you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a review.
Feedback: https://preparelikeapro.com/contact/
Review: https://link.chtbl.com/PLPlivechats/
Show notes: https://preparelikeapro.com/what-coaches-often-miss-about-acl-injury-prevention/
Are you ready to enhance your coaching? Uncover the strategies to build a thriving online platform, liberating yourself from the time-for-money constraints while pursuing a career as an AFL S&C coach.
Book a FREE coaches discovery call
https://calendly.com/plp2/15min
Sep 25, 2025 • 6min
#bitesize - Greg Haff on The Truth About Periodization and Athlete Development
Highlights from the episode:
✅ What periodization actually means for long-term athlete success
✅ Why the best coaches work with junior athletes, not elite ones
✅ How parents accidentally create or destroy athletic potential
✅ Why we're drowning athletes in useless data and losing coaching instincts
✅ The truth about velocity-based training for strength coaches
Do you have feedback on the show? We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and tell us what you love and what you think could be better. And, if you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a review.
Feedback: https://preparelikeapro.com/contact/
Review: https://link.chtbl.com/PLPlivechats/
Show notes: https://preparelikeapro.com/greg-haff-on-the-truth-about-periodization-and-athlete-development/
Are you ready to enhance your coaching? Uncover the strategies to build a thriving online platform, liberating yourself from the time-for-money constraints while pursuing a career as an AFL S&C coach.
Book a FREE coaches discovery call
https://calendly.com/plp2/15min
Sep 21, 2025 • 43min
#350 - Tom Tombleson on High Performance Reconditioning
👉 Highlights from the episode:
✅ Why mentors shape better coaching decisions
✅ How to identify when an athlete is performance ready
✅ How he measures his technical model
✅ Exercise for hamstring strain
✅ How RTP differs for development athlete’s vs elite professionals
Do you have feedback on the show? We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and tell us what you love and what you think could be better. And, if you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a review.
Feedback: https://preparelikeapro.com/contact/
Review: https://link.chtbl.com/PLPlivechats/
Show notes: https://preparelikeapro.com/tom-tombleson-on-high-performance-reconditioning/
Are you ready to enhance your coaching? Uncover the strategies to build a thriving online platform, liberating yourself from the time-for-money constraints while pursuing a career as an AFL S&C coach.
Book a FREE coaches discovery call
https://calendly.com/plp2/15min
Sep 18, 2025 • 4min
#bitesize - How to Land Your First Full Time Contract in Pro Sport
Highlights from the episode:
✅ Why qualifications alone won’t get you hired
✅ Fastest pathways into full-time high performance
✅ How long you need at semi-professional level
✅ The must-have academic qualifications today
✅ The career skill I wish I built earlier
Do you have feedback on the show? We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and tell us what you love and what you think could be better. And, if you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a review.
Feedback: https://preparelikeapro.com/contact/
Review: https://link.chtbl.com/PLPlivechats/
Show notes: https://preparelikeapro.com/how-to-land-your-first-full-time-contract-in-pro-sport/
Are you ready to enhance your coaching? Uncover the strategies to build a thriving online platform, liberating yourself from the time-for-money constraints while pursuing a career as an AFL S& Coach.
Book a FREE coaches discovery call
https://calendly.com/plp2/15min
Sep 14, 2025 • 17min
#152 - Stronger, Faster, Harder: The Power of AFL Full Body Workouts
Highlights from the episode:
✅ Why aerial ability matters more than you think
✅ The secret behind building rotational power
✅ Turning testing data into smarter training
✅ Getting rep ranges right for real progress
✅ Does training time of day change results?
✅ How long should a workout actually last
Do you have feedback on the show? We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and tell us what you love and what you think could be better. And, if you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a review.
Feedback: https://preparelikeapro.com/contact/
Review: https://link.chtbl.com/PLPlivechats/
Show notes: https://preparelikeapro.com/stronger-faster-harder-the-power-of-afl-full-body-workouts/
Are you ready to enhance your coaching? Uncover the strategies to build a thriving online platform, liberating yourself from the time-for-money constraints while pursuing a career as an AFL S&C coach.
Book a FREE coaches discovery call
https://calendly.com/plp2/15min
Sep 11, 2025 • 6min
#bitesize - Tim Mosey on Training Priorities, Speed Efficiency, and Injury Prevention
Highlights from the episode:
✅ Understanding what’s critical vs. noise in athlete training
✅ Categorizing athletes: body composition, strength, or speed focus
✅ Shifting speed training to later in sessions for efficiency
✅ Key injury mitigation strategies for rugby players
✅ The importance of testing to track adaptation and progress
Do you have feedback on the show? We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and tell us what you love and what you think could be better. And, if you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a review.
Feedback: https://preparelikeapro.com/contact/
Review: https://link.chtbl.com/PLPlivechats/
Show notes: https://preparelikeapro.com/tim-mosey-on-training-priorities-speed-efficiency-and-injury-prevention/
Are you ready to enhance your coaching? Uncover the strategies to build a thriving online platform, liberating yourself from the time-for-money constraints while pursuing a career as an AFL S&C coach.
Book a FREE coaches discovery call
https://calendly.com/plp2/15min
Sep 7, 2025 • 55min
#349 - Jared Hoare on Beyond the Generalized Warm-Up – How to Maximise Players’ Physical Prep Training
👉 Highlights from the episode:
✅ What true AFL preparation really looks like
✅ Why modern training demands more than drills
✅ How rehab turned into a rewarding experience
✅ Hard lessons learned from years in the game
✅ Why high care and high challenge create better athletes
People mentioned:
✅ Darren Burgess
✅ Luke Vella
✅ Anthony Siebold
✅ Michael Dobin
✅ Josh Manual
✅ Rob Jarrett
✅ Paul Bowen
✅ Duncan Kellaway
Do you have feedback on the show? We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and tell us what you love and what you think could be better. And, if you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a review.
Feedback: https://preparelikeapro.com/contact/
Review: https://link.chtbl.com/PLPlivechats/
Show notes: https://preparelikeapro.com/jared-hoare-on-beyond-the-generalized-warm-up-how-to-maximise-players-physical-prep-training/
Are you ready to enhance your coaching? Uncover the strategies to build a thriving online platform, liberating yourself from the time-for-money constraints while pursuing a career as an AFL S&C coach.
Book a FREE coaches discovery call
https://calendly.com/plp2/15min
Sep 4, 2025 • 6min
#bitesize - Running Power in AFL: The Hidden Key to Speed, Strength & Endurance
Highlights from the episode:
✅ Why running power shapes modern AFL performance
✅ The hidden role of running economy in reducing injuries
✅ Power, speed, and endurance: the three pillars of AFL training
✅ Strength standards every developing footballer should chase
✅ Why compound lifts unlock real speed and agility gains
Do you have feedback on the show? We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and tell us what you love and what you think could be better. And, if you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a review.
Feedback: https://preparelikeapro.com/contact/
Review: https://link.chtbl.com/PLPlivechats/
Show notes: https://preparelikeapro.com/running-power-in-afl-the-hidden-key-to-speed-strength-endurance/
Are you ready to enhance your game? Our program is designed to propel footballers, like yourself, towards more excellent fitness, speed, and strength, ensuring you’re fully prepared to dominate on the field!
Book a FREE footballer discovery call
at https://calendly.com/plp2/15min
🚀 Ready to level up your gaming skills in record time? Join our exclusive Game Speed Coaching Program today! With personalized coaching, you'll unlock your full potential and dominate the competition.
🕒 But hurry we're only accepting 10 participants for this round! Secure your spot now before it's all gone!
Click here to join and reserve your spot: https://bit.ly/game-speed-coaching-program
Don't miss this opportunity to take your speed to the next level. Act fast and start your journey towards becoming the fastest player on game day!
Aug 31, 2025 • 13min
#151 - AFL Plyometric Program Tips for Young Footballers
Highlights from the episode:
✅ Why AFL players need plyometric power
✅ The best way to start young athletes safely
✅ Building from extensive to intensive plyometric work
✅ Using force plates to measure reactivity
✅ Clearing misconceptions about plyometric training
Do you have feedback on the show? We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and tell us what you love and what you think could be better. And, if you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a review.
Feedback: https://preparelikeapro.com/contact/
Review: https://link.chtbl.com/PLPlivechats/
Show notes: https://preparelikeapro.com/afl-plyometric-program-tips-for-young-footballers/
Are you ready to enhance your game? Our program is designed to propel footballers, like yourself, towards more excellent fitness, speed, and strength, ensuring you’re fully prepared to dominate on the field!
Book a FREE footballer discovery call
at https://calendly.com/plp2/15min
🚀 Ready to level up your gaming skills in record time? Join our exclusive Game Speed Coaching Program today! With personalized coaching, you'll unlock your full potential and dominate the competition.
🕒 But hurry we're only accepting 10 participants for this round! Secure your spot now before it's all gone!
Click here to join and reserve your spot: https://bit.ly/game-speed-coaching-program
Don't miss this opportunity to take your speed to the next level. Act fast and start your journey towards becoming the fastest player on game day!
Aug 28, 2025 • 6min
#bitesize - James Grierson on AFL Rehab and Return-to-Play Strategies
Highlights from the episode:
✅ How AFL physios own mistakes in rehab decisions
✅ The hidden athlete factors coaches often miss
✅ Key drivers of soft tissue injury reoccurrence in AFL
✅ Accelerated vs conservative return to play in elite sport
✅ Effective communication between coaches and rehab staff
Do you have feedback on the show? We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and tell us what you love and what you think could be better. And, if you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a review.
Feedback: https://preparelikeapro.com/contact/
Review: https://link.chtbl.com/PLPlivechats/
Show notes: https://preparelikeapro.com/james-grierson-on-afl-rehab-and-return-to-play-strategies/
Are you ready to enhance your coaching? Uncover the strategies to build a thriving online platform, liberating yourself from the time-for-money constraints while pursuing a career as an AFL S&C coach.
Book a FREE coaches discovery call
https://calendly.com/plp2/15min
