Gavin featured on episode #475 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed - Why we need to test neck strength What positions are most reliable What technology is needed to test neck strength  Check out the full episode with Alberto here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/methods-for-testing-and-training-neck-strength/ This episode is supported by RockDaisy, the only FREE AMS on the market. AMS Lite features reporting capabilities, questionnaires and forms, alerts and communication, data sharing, data visualisation and calendar views.

In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, after 7 years since he first appeared on the show, Rob is joined by High Performance Consultant, Kelvin Giles. With a career spanning decades in both the UK and Australia, Kelvin brings a wealth of experience and insight into the challenges and successes of coaching. This episode takes an in-depth look at the shifting landscape of youth sports, focusing on the critical need for a holistic approach to training and well-being. Kelvin, starting as a volunteer coach and rising to work with professional athletes, shares his journey and the lessons learned along the way. He delves into the changing culture in sports, particularly how the emphasis on results and rankings is negatively impacting young athletes' health, leading to increased injury rates and a decline in technical robustness. The conversation then shifts to the detrimental effects of prioritizing competitive winning over overall health and well-being. Kelvin highlights the decline in fundamental movement skills among young people and stresses the importance of addressing this issue in schools and sports programs. Recognizing the need for a paradigm shift, Kelvin discusses the necessity for coaches to prioritize individualized training and mentorship. He emphasizes the importance of developing movement literacy and foundational skills in young athletes, ensuring their physical health and performance are equally catered for. In a profound reflection on the state of high-performance sports, Kelvin points out the often-overlooked consequences these programs have on the majority's health and well-being. The discussion underscores the need for a balanced approach, one that values foundational movements and physical activity in the education and training of young athletes. Moreover, Kelvin provides practical advice on creating flexible and adaptive training programs. He advocates for a focus on personal bests and providing meaningful feedback, rather than just concentrating on outcomes. This approach, he argues, is vital for the holistic development of young athletes. Towards the end of the episode, Kelvin stresses the significance of sharing resources and knowledge for the betterment of youth athlete health and performance. His commitment to this cause is evident through his work and the impactful resources he has made available to the broader coaching community. Main talking points: Coaching journey from volunteer to professional level. Experience with Canberra Raiders and Brisbane Broncos. Declining health in young athletes. Culture of results impacting youth sports. Emphasis on competitive winning harming development. Need for progressive learning in coaching. Importance of movement literacy in youth. Prioritizing foundational movements in training. Holistic understanding of young athletes' needs.

Alberto featured on episode #467 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed - What is curvilinear sprinting and why should we care What tests can we use to understand curvilinear speed How to train it on the field Check out the full episode with Alberto here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/curvilinear-sprinting-how-we-can-test-and-train-this-unique-quality/ This episode is supported by RockDaisy, the only FREE AMS on the market. AMS Lite features reporting capabilities, questionnaires and forms, alerts and communication, data sharing, data visualisation and calendar views.

In this informative episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, host Rob Pacey is joined by Andy Ryland, Senior Manager of Education and Training at USA Football. They delve into the critical aspects of tackle technique in rugby and American Football, and the importance of building confidence in contact situations across sports.  Andy, with his rich background in both American football and rugby, shares invaluable insights into the differences and similarities in coaching styles and tackle techniques between the two sports. The discussion emphasizes the evolution of tackle technique, focusing on neck safety and the reduction of head and helmet impacts. Andy highlights the significance of proper head placement and shoulder contact to minimize injuries. The episode also explores how technical models for coaching certification can enhance safety and tackle effectiveness in football, alongside conditioning drills like grappling and tumbling to build athlete confidence. Additionally, they discuss the importance of neck strengthening exercises in contact sports and the role of social media in learning tackle techniques. Throughout the episode, Andy also addresses the unique challenges faced by youth athletes in contact sports, emphasizing the reduced exposure to rough play in modern childhood and its impact on their ability to handle physical contact in sports. This insightful discussion extends to the significance of incorporating elements like hand fighting and physicality into speed training, which not only builds technical skill but also psychological resilience in young athletes. Furthermore, the podcast highlights how drills and conditioning, including innovative neck strengthening routines, can be customized for various sports to enhance safety and performance. This episode is not just for those in collision sports but highly relevant to those working in sports like soccer, backetball and ice hockey where building confidence in contact situations is crucial. Main talking points: Emphasis on safety in tackling technique. Evolving rugby tackle techniques for neck safety. Implementing coaching certification for safety in football. Conditioning and grappling for contact confidence. Confidence building in contact through various drills. Importance of neck strengthening in contact sports. Youth's decreased exposure to physical play. Streamlining progression in contact and collision. Adapting tackling drills across different sports. Developing reaction skills in contact situations. Incorporating physicality into speed training.

I this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, Rob is talking to Coach and Founder of SpeedSig, Jason Weber. Jason first came on the podcast in 2015 when he was with the Fremantle Dockers in the AFL but since then has had roles in A-League soccer and the military. But for the last 2 years Jason has been working on a new project, SpeedSig. In this episode, Jason takes us through his journey of using GPS to understand running loads but his frustration of wanting to understand HOW an athletes moves, not just how far they have run. This led to multiple projects and finally a PhD and a small business now working with some of the biggest sporting organisations in the world. He explains the process of capturing reliable data from lumbar and thoracic spine positioned GPS units to get metrics that help us understand that HOW. In the second half of the episode, having visited hundreds of organisations across the world, Jason reflects on what he has seen and his own practice while working in the AFL and in soccer. He admits to "confusing the f*ck out of people with data" laterly in AFL and gives his thoughts on how people can learn from those mistakes. He is also a huge proponent of learning to code and encourages any sports scientist to go on that journey. He explains why and takes us on his own journey to master R. Jason's enthusiasm for this space is infectious and it will be of huge interest to practitioners across the world who are looking to understand HOW their athletes move using technology they are probably already wearing. Main talking points: Why sports scientists should learn to code The SpeedSig journey The need to undrstand how an athlete moves, not just how far and how fast Collecting reliable speed signature data using GPS What metrics are important The increase in computer vision and AI tools Future evelopments in athlete tracking and GPS Reflections on the last 10 years of coaching

Ben Rosenblatt and James Collins, experienced in sports nutrition and performance, discuss the rise of personalized athlete support teams. They highlight the importance of contextualizing support, efficient communication, and aligning team expectations. The conversation covers adapting scientific approaches, cross-disciplinary knowledge sharing, trust in relationships, integrating external services, athlete-centered interdisciplinary teams, and the role of data science and technology.

In this podcast, Andy Edwards discusses the journey of winning the Rugby World Cup with the Springboks. He highlights the importance of creating a close-knit team atmosphere, making small but impactful tweaks in training, and balancing data-driven decision-making with gut instincts. Edwards also shares insights into maintaining success in the international arena and the strategic adjustments in conditioning that contributed to their victory. He emphasizes the role of clear communication, mutual respect, and a deep understanding of the game. This episode provides valuable insights into a World Cup winning culture.

In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, Rob is joined by Tom Tombleson, Senior Strength and Conditioning Coach with England Rugby. A significant part of their conversation focuses on the innovative use of the warm-up as a movement screen. This technique, honed through his extensive experience in various coaching roles, including his time at Super Rugby with the New South Wales Waratahs, allows for a detailed analysis of each player's physical capabilities and movement patterns. Tom emphasizes the importance of this method in individualizing player training. By assessing players during the warm-up, he can tailor exercises to their specific needs, enhancing overall performance and reducing the risk of injury. This approach represents a shift from traditional warm-up routines, integrating functional movement assessment into the very start of training sessions. Tom shares how this strategy not only optimizes physical readiness for training but also serves as an ongoing tool to monitor player progress and adapt training programs accordingly. The discussion also touches on Tom's journey from being a semi-professional rugby player to a top-level strength and conditioning coach. He reflects on the challenges and learnings throughout his career, providing insights into the evolution of coaching philosophies and methods in high-performance sports. The conversation offers a rare glimpse into the intricacies of professional sports training, with Tom providing practical tips for coaches and athletes alike. Main talking points: Innovations in speed training. Sprinting as movement analysis. Tailoring training to individual athletes. Testing and enhancing game speed. The journey from Super Rugby to England Rugby. Evolution of coaching philosophies. Impact of player history on training. Balancing discipline and enjoyment in coaching.

Gavin Pratt, Director of Strength and Conditioning at the UFC Performance Institute, shares insights on testing and training neck strength for UFC fighters. He discusses the importance of neck training in preventing concussions and injuries, and highlights the specific exercises and equipment used at the institute. Gavin also explores cutting-edge testing protocols and the integration of technology for measuring and monitoring training effectiveness. The podcast explores the role of neck strength in other sports and the ongoing research in determining optimal training methods.

Steph Mock, Assistant AD for Sports Performance at the University of Pittsburgh, discusses being a woman in strength and conditioning, the benefits of microdosing in-season for collegiate athletes, and the importance of data visualization in sports coaching.