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.

In the Pacey Performance Podcast, host Rob Pacey engages with Aaron Cunanan, the Director of Applied Sports Science for the Cincinnati Reds, delving into various facets of his professional journey and perspectives on sports science. Cunanan begins by acknowledging the influence of mentors like Duncan French, Jeff Head, and John Wagle, who have significantly impacted his development both as a professional and an individual. Cunanan's career transition from a weightlifting athlete to a coach marks a pivotal point in his narrative. His initial coaching experiences under Dr. Kyle Pierce at the International Weightlifting Federation provided him with valuable insights into systematic and process-oriented coaching in Olympic sports. A key part of the conversation revolves around Cunanan's approach to training and conditioning. He explains the importance of an adaptation-based approach, emphasizing understanding training principles over specific methods. This philosophy was shaped by his diverse experiences, including his tenure at the UFC Performance Institute and the San Francisco Giants. Cunanan shares specific examples from his time in the UFC, illustrating the necessity for flexibility and adaptability in training methodologies due to the varied and unpredictable nature of athletes' schedules and physical conditions. He talks about managing the challenges of training MMA athletes with different timelines, highlighting the use of periodization and the strategic balance of conditioning elements to optimize athlete performance. The conversation also touches upon the integration of sports science in professional sports. Cunanan discusses the thoughtful use of data and technology in training and conditioning, advocating for a problem-driven approach in sports science. He stresses the importance of scientific literacy among practitioners to effectively use technology and data to inform training decisions. Overall, the podcast offers a rich and insightful perspective into Aaron Cunanan's approaches to sports science and athlete conditioning, blending personal experiences, professional philosophies, and practical strategies in the realm of high-performance sports. Main takeaways: Emphasis on adaptation-based training approach Flexibility in training methodologies for MMA athletes Utilizing periodization in athlete conditioning Integration of sports science and data Advocating problem-driven approach in sports science

Hailu featured on episode #446 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed - The difference between folding and sitting Coaching the skill of change of direction How to coach the reacceleration after a deceleration Check out the full episode with Hailu here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/improving-change-of-direction-ability-deceleration-drills-and-coaching-transitional-movements/ 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.

Aaron Walsh, a mental skills performance expert, discusses the importance and integration of mental skills in sports. He emphasizes their role in differentiating successful athletes, especially in high-pressure situations. Walsh advocates for treating mental skills like any other skill and integrating them into coaching, recruitment, and training decisions. This episode also explores the cultural significance of rugby in New Zealand and the perception versus reality of the mental side in sports performance.

This week on the podcast, three guests with extensive experience in speed training for youth athletes discuss the differences in training youth athletes compared to adults. They share tips for coaching large groups and dive into specific drills for youth athletes. The importance of cues, communication, and engagement in speed training is also discussed. Overall, the episode provides valuable insights and advice for coaches working with youth athletes.

Jordan Milsom, former professional sportsman, discusses the importance of suitable contracts in pro sport, what it's like to lose your job, and the need for professional advice in case of a worst-case scenario.