

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

Nov 9, 2023 • 26min
#285 - Ben Parker, Sports Performance Dietitian at Gold Coast Suns
Highlights from the episode:
- Optimizing nutrition for first-year athletes
- How to gain muscle mass for athletes
- Hydration mistakes for athletes in hotter climates
- Main sources of electrolytes
- How to prepare for a 2k time trial from a nutrition perspective
Elevate your sports nutrition with Ben Parker, AFL Sports Dietitian from the Gold Coast Suns. Join the workshop on December 17, 2023, at 10:00 AM AEST Discover nutrition's impact on performance, boost recovery, and have your questions answered.
Early Bird Savings
Purchase a ticket before November 30 and save 40% with the link below:
https://preparelikeaproacademy.com.au/register/ben-parker-practical-application-of-elite-sports-nutrition-for-afl-athletes/?coupon=PLP-Academy
Prepare Like a Pro! 🏉🍏🤝
Show notes: https://preparelikeapro.com/nutrition-tips-young-athletes/

Nov 5, 2023 • 57min
#284 - Bill Tait, The Director of Performance Systems with ASC & Paralympic Partnerships
Highlights from the episode:
- Key principles for strategic planning
- Tips to unleash the creative side of people
- How the environment or setting affects creativity
- Favorite strategies to manage squads/groups of different levels
- Bill’s advice to communicate effectively in large groups
Have feedback on the show? We really would love to hear from send us your feedback, 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/strategic-problem-solving-communication/

Nov 2, 2023 • 8min
#283 - Joshua Manuel, Strength and Conditioning Coach at Adelaide Football Club
Highlights from the episode:
- Why did he switch from his physio pathway to strength & conditioning
- The importance of being enthusiastic and understanding your role as an intern
- Why develop a reflection practice to make the most of your mentor and learnings
- The 3 key pillars for the Crow’s athletic development plan
- How Josh designs his training programs and session plans
Have feedback on the show? We really would love to hear from send us your feedback, 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/afc-athletic-development-insights/

Oct 29, 2023 • 1h 19min
#282 - Jonas Dodoo, Performance consultant for England Rugby and Head coach for Speedwork's Training
Highlights from the episode:
- His philosophy when creating a program to improve an athlete's max speed and acceleration
- Effective strategies to improve athletes' running technique using video analysis
- How to simplify your needs analysis process
- The importance of coaching correct loading for plyometrics
- Jona’s favorite coaching cues for acceleration and max velocity
Have feedback on the show? We really would love to hear from send us your feedback, 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/mastering-athletic-excellence-insights-coaches/

Oct 26, 2023 • 6min
#281 - Jarrod Wade, High Performance Manager at Collingwood Football Club
Highlights from the episode:
- Considerations for loading in pre-season
- Importance of chasing one key area of athletic development each week rather than all of them
- Why GPS is not a good measure of training load
- How to manifest energy when players are having it tough during their training block
- Common mistakes when planning in-season performance work
Have feedback on the show? We really would love to hear from send us your feedback, 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-pre-season-training-tips/

Oct 24, 2023 • 56min
#280 - Andrew Lulham, Consultant Strength & Conditioning Coach and Track & Field Coach
Highlights from the episode:
- How sprinting, jumping, and lifting are interconnected
- Is sprinting speed based on genetics or can be improved by a coach?
- Training protocols for improving sprinting speed
- The role of explosive power and plyometrics in improving jumping technique
- Building a balanced and effective lifting program for athletes
Have feedback on the show? We really would love to hear from send us your feedback, 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/
Read More: https://preparelikeapro.com/athletic-performance-techniques/

Oct 19, 2023 • 7min
#279 - Samantha McLeod, Sport Psychologist at Richmond Tigers Football Club
Highlights from the episode:
- Importance of getting out of your comfort zone
- Getting experience in elite sport as a sports psychologist
- What it takes to develop a champion's mindset
- How to improve your recovery and performance with diaphragmatic breathing
- Mental skills athletes can start practicing now to become elite
Have feedback on the show? We really would love to hear from send us your feedback, tell us what you love and what you think could be better. And, if you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a review.
Show notes: https://preparelikeapro.com/maximizing-athletic-performance-mental-skills/
Feedback: https://preparelikeapro.com/contact/
Review: https://link.chtbl.com/PLPlivechats/

Oct 17, 2023 • 39min
#278 - David Boyle, High Performance Manager Officiating NRL
Highlights from the episode:
- How coaches adapt to strategy on the fly on game day
- Tips to prepare for those striving for the head of high-performance role
- Why are emotional intelligence and leadership courses more in demand right now
- Importance of cognitive decision-making for coaches and high-performance managers
- Team first mentality and why coaches should lead by example
Show notes: https://preparelikeapro.com/?p=13354&preview=true
Have feedback on the show? We really would love to hear from send us your feedback, 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/

Oct 12, 2023 • 5min
#277 - Justin Crow, Head of Human Performance at Melbourne Victory Football Club
Before Melbourne, Justin worked at Paralympics Australia for 2 years. He also worked as a physiotherapy consultant for TAC, an AIS project lead and High-Performance manager at Essendon Football Club, and a rehabilitation coach at Collingwood Football ClHighlights from the episode:
- Comparing Leadership styles from "people first" to "performance first"
- His fave ways to develop himself
- The importance of understanding athlete learning styles for effective coaching
- How does he conduct his meetings and why does he run through the list of players every day
Show notes: https://preparelikeapro.com/justin-crow-leadership-excellence/

Oct 10, 2023 • 50min
#276 - Jeremy Hickmans, High Performance Manager & Blake Duncan, Athletic Performance Coach
Highlights from the episode:
- Using the transference approach in gym programs
- How the transference approach helps athletes in their mindset and performance
- Things to consider when implementing the transference approach
- Key pillars that they focus on with the transference approach
- How the rotational aspect helps athletes
Show notes: https://preparelikeapro.com/athletic-performance-training-integration/