Jonas Dodoo and Alan Murdoch discuss their partnership in combining the worlds of rehab and speed training. They share insights on exercise selection, shin roll, ACL rehab, and the importance of speed in athlete rehabilitation. Additionally, they emphasize the significance of a good hinge pattern, foot and ankle training, and the role of correct exercise selection. The podcast offers valuable information for coaches looking to enhance their coaching regimes.

On this week’s Pacey Performance Podcast, we speak to Ed Gannon, Head of Strength and Conditioning at the Buffalo Sabres in the NHL. Despite having been at the Sabres for 6 years, Ed’s background is in Rugby Union in the UK. We discuss what led to him making that massive move, the challenges he faced, and the differences and similarities between the two very different worlds of coaching Rugby Union and ice hockey. Ed also describes the training protocol he undertakes to mitigate for the natural effects of fatigue despite players undergoing a busy playing calendar - including the ideal schedule, a whole host of isometric exercise options and the data to look out for. If you want to hear from an expert with the inside information to help you and your athletes increase their fitness, reduce injuries (especially to the hip and groin), analyse data to gain a practical solution and ultimately maximise performance, then this week’s talk with Ed Gannon is not to be missed. Topics discussed this week: What leads to a rugby coach moving to the USA The difficulties a coach can face when moving to a new continent How studying for a PhD in sports science was once a rarity in the industry Neuromuscular status in ice hockey How to mitigate for fatigue in training, despite a busy schedule Why it pays to ‘follow the data’ when it comes to scheduling training sessions Isometric training for injury prevention and performance enhancement The tell-tale ‘red flags’ that tell you when a change in technique is needed How to prevent hip and groin injuries Why an academic approach can benefit coaches at the highest level

Keith Baar, Professor of Molecular Exercise Physiology at University of California, Davis, discusses how the musculoskeletal system functions, injury rates on the rise, avoiding tendon and ligament injuries, identifying muscle injuries, becoming more flexible, benefits of isometric training, the importance of nutrition, and more.

On this week’s Pacey Performance Podcast, Rob speaks to performance science consultant Jo Clubb about how she went from starting out in her dream job as an intern at Chelsea FC in the Premier League, to eventually working in the NHL with the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres. Jo also discusses what she calls her ‘sliding doors’ moment – when she got the opportunity to move to the US and work in ice hockey followed by American football. Through this, we talk about how opportunities can arise via the power of networking in a close-knit industry, and what younger people in the industry can do to grow their profile. A running theme throughout this episode is how training and sports science isn’t always about the techniques, drills and exercises a coach introduces to a new team, but how a cultural fit can make the difference through connecting with athletes on a personal level. Through her own website and as a contributor to Sports Discovery, a resource dedicated to knowledge sharing of sports professionals, there can’t be many more in the industry with this level of expertise in collaboration and emotional intelligence. We also talk about the importance of subjective monitoring and why it should be the cornerstone of any load monitoring system. Topics: Being an intern at Chelsea FC The differences between coaching academy players and the first team How sacrificing winning can actually benefit an athlete Why Chelsea were ahead of their time in developing youth team players The growth of cognitive diversity in coaching and how it benefits sports teams Why networking in the sports science industry isn’t a dirty word What Jo’s next challenge is, and how she deals with a change in identity Lessons about what works (and haven’t worked!) in differing sports The people who make up the heart of a sports club The importance of emotional intelligence in creating a cultural fit as a trainer Managing expectations as a newcomer in a team or as a consultant Subjective monitoring and why it forms a huge part of Jo's load monitoring practice Jo can be found on Twitter @JoClubbSportSci Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following on Twitter @strengthofsci or visiting strengthofscience.com. Enjoy PP

This week’s Pacey Performance Podcast sees me speak to Rugby Australia’s Senior Strength & Conditioning Coach, John Pryor, who has worked with the Wallabies, the Japanese national Rugby Union team and holds a master’s degree in health science. With his background in track and field and combat sports, John has an incredibly wide-ranging knowledge about strength and conditioning, contextual strength and coordination training. John explains his background and his influences, which include Warren Young and Charles Poliquin, Vern Gambetta, Eddie Jones and Vern Gambetta. He also talks about his time working with Eddie Jones in Japan, and the point of difference for coaches who are taken seriously and seen as authentic by athletes and employers alike. This makes this week’s podcast a must-listen for any coach wanting to learn what catches people’s attention, the basics of Frans Bosch's methodologies, and how there’s no substitute for experience in strength and conditioning training.   Topics: The difference in mentality between Rugby League and Rugby Union Why there’s a right and wrong time for athletes to question their training What’s changed in the industry between 1988 and today How it can be beneficial to minimise the information available to us The coaches John Pryor would seek out personally Developing points of differences in young coaches The essential skills every coach needs to find a job The coach that inspired John to take up strength and conditioning training as a career Techniques and equipment used during his master’s degree The ‘speed-bound index’ – what it is, and how it increases sprint speed Co-ordination in sprint training and its importance The bad training habits it can be easy to get stuck with Working with Eddie Jones in Japan and how he got results Change direction sessions The biggest mistake seen in strength and conditioning training

In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, I am speaking to Head of National Talent ID & Senior S&C Coach at Aspire Academy, James Baker. This is the second part to a two-part episode with James so if you haven't checked out part 1, make sure you do so. In this episode James gives us some incredible insight into two case studies. They highlight how essential the monitoring of growth and maturation is in young athletes. We also dive into moving athletes from a developmental programme into a performance programme where winning is the aim. In this episode, we discussed... Talent identification - finding the best athletes in Qatar Developing an LTAD framework Integrating a new athlete into an established pathway Assessing growth and maturation Testing and profiling with a limited budget Specific competition performance James can be found on Twitter @jamesbaker_8 Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following on Twitter @strengthofsci or visiting strengthofscience.com. Enjoy PP

In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, I am speaking to Head of National Talent ID & Senior S&C Coach at Aspire Academy, James Baker. If you're working with youth athletes anywhere in the world, you should have heard or seen James' work. He has taken on a further role at Aspire, now looking after national talent ID which is a fascinating transition which is another examlpe of the wide skill set of the strength and conditioning coach. Whether you have a huge budget or a small budget, information in this podcast will give you a clearer idea of how to develop an LTAD framework. In this episode, we discussed... Talent identification - finding the best athletes in Qatar Developing an LTAD framework Integrating a new athlete into an established pathway Assessing growth and maturation Testing and profiling with a limited budget Specific competition performance James can be found on Twitter @jamesbaker_8 Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following on Twitter @strengthofsci or visiting strengthofscience.com. Enjoy PP

In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, I am speaking to 1st Team Fitness Coach at Leeds United Football Club, Benoit Delaval. Leeds United have taken the Premier League by storm this year. They are currently sat 9th in the league, are unbeaten at home against the top 6 and have overcome the accusation that they would start to slump towards the end of the season. Their intensity is unwavering. But how do they train to live up to such a demanding philosophy week after week? In this episode, we discussed... Who is Benoit Delaval (background, experience and current role)? The Leeds United philosophy Getting players fit Planning and periodisation Data guided training Use of small sided games Keeping players fit in-season Training to maintaining intensity 'Murderball' Recovery methods Strength and power work Benoit can be found on Twitter @bendelaval Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following on Twitter @strengthofsci or visiting strengthofscience.com. Enjoy PP

In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, I am speaking to Senior Strength and Conditioning Specialist at High Performance Sport New Zealand, Angus Ross. Angus is one of the most humble guys in the industry but has an incredible brain. Angus sits in that really interesting place in strength and conditioning with one foot in academia and research, and one foot firmly in the applied world working with world class track and field athletes. And just to make me more jealous of Angus, it sounds like he was an incredible athlete too... In this episode, we discussed... Eccentric training Why use eccentric focused training Adaptations The various types of eccentric training Flywheel technology Their place in the wider programme Sprints and jumps Integration with isometric training Around competition and taper periods Acceleration Principles Profiling What team sport athletes can learn from sprinters (and what they shouldn't) Angus can be found on Twitter @AngusRossNZ   Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following on Twitter @strengthofsci or visiting the links below. Enjoy PP

In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, I am speaking to Associate Director for Performance (Football) at Duke University, Aaron Getz. Today's guest has been in the collegiate system at one of the biggest football programmes in the US for a number of years. In this episode we discuss how Aaron and his team build some of the most impressive young athletes in the world. We chat programming, the inclusion of Olympic lifting, his views on velocity based training, training with an eccentric or isometric emphasis and much more. In this episode, we discussed... Who is Aaron Getz (background, experience and current role) Olympic lifting with collegiate athletes Programming Teaching  - progressions and regressions What happens to those that aren't competent?  Programming Cycling of unilateral bilateral work What changed with Covid and athletes returning? Guiding programming around fatigue Inclusion of training with an eccentric or isometric emphasis Coaching philosophy Inclusion of technology Aaron can be found on Twitter @GetzAaron3 Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following on Twitter @strengthofsci or visiting strengthofscience.com. Enjoy PP