
Pacey Performance Podcast
There are lots of voices in the coaching world. Few are as trusted as the Pacey Performance Podcast. Rob Pacey and his guests share the philosophies, ideas and insights in conversations that are the signal in the noise of the sport performance space.
Latest episodes

Nov 1, 2023 • 15min
#Bitesize - Choosing a mentor to accelerate your career with Nick Grantham
Nick Grantham, athletic performance coach, discusses the importance of having a clear CPD plan, how to choose a mentor, and whether a mentor is necessary for career acceleration.

Oct 26, 2023 • 1h 6min
Successfully navigating the stages of an ACL rehabilitation with Matt Buckthorpe
Matt Buckthorpe, an expert in ACL rehabilitation, discusses the critical stages of recovery from ACL injuries. He highlights the importance of understanding the injury mechanism and outlines the specific objectives and criteria for each phase of rehabilitation. The podcast covers strategies like neuromuscular electrical stimulation and blood flow restriction training in the early stage, regaining quad strength in the mid-stage, and progressing to sport-specific drills and technical skills in the late stage.

Oct 19, 2023 • 50min
Developing perceptual-cognitive factors to improve agility performance with Tania Spiteri
Tania Spiteri, Senior Adjunct Fellow at University of Technology Sydney, discusses the importance of agility and change of direction (COD) training and testing. She highlights the difference between agility and COD, explores the constraints that influence agility performance, and emphasizes the need for representative drills. The podcast also covers the use of perceptual-cognitive drills, the role of nonspecific signals, and the effectiveness of agility ladders in training.

Oct 18, 2023 • 10min
#Bitesize - Assessing agility in the field with Warren Young
Exploring the difference between agility and change of direction. The difficulties in testing agility and available options. The challenges of integrating decision making into agility tests. The limitations of measuring agility in a laboratory setting.

Oct 12, 2023 • 39min
Curvilinear sprinting: How we can test and train this unique quality with Alberto Filter
Renowned football researcher Alberto Filter joins the podcast to discuss the significance of curvilinear sprinting in football training. He highlights that about 85% of sprints in football are curvilinear, stressing the need for specific training. Alberto introduces an innovative approach using the penalty box arc and recommends exercises like landmine and wall drills. He also emphasizes the importance of context in training by encouraging coaches to watch matches. Alberto's insights and training suggestions promise to be invaluable for coaches, trainers, and football enthusiasts.

Sep 28, 2023 • 59min
Velocity based training: The past, present of future with Jonathon Weakley
Jonathan Weakley, a leading figure in the realm of Velocity-Based Training (VBT), discusses the intricacies and evolution of VBT, emphasizing its historical roots and the impact of modern technology. The three foundational tenets of VBT, the transformative power of feedback, real-time feedback's ability to improve performance by up to 8%, and various technologies used in VBT are also explored.

Sep 27, 2023 • 11min
#Bitesize - How to implement microdosing with Matt Cuthbert
Matt featured on episode #459 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed -
What are the benefits of microdosing
How we can utilise those benefits effectively
Using microdosing during fixture congestion
Check out the full episode with Matt here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/how-to-implement-micro-dosing-strategies-in-team-sports/
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.

Sep 21, 2023 • 1h 6min
Reflections on working at the biggest clubs in world football with Jack Nayler
Jack Nayler, Head of Sports Science at Everton FC and with 10 years of experience at Chelsea, PSG, Real Madrid, Celtic and Everton, reflects on working with players at top football clubs. He emphasizes the importance of trusting players with an innate understanding of their bodies and the significance of communication and observation. Nayler also discusses the pressures faced by famous players and the role of ego in success. He explores the challenges faced by sports scientists at big clubs and the focus on winning games. Throughout, he highlights the dedication and professionalism of players like Ronaldo, Modric, and Ramos.

Sep 20, 2023 • 13min
#Bitesize - The value of injury screening with Nicol van Dyk
Nicol featured on episode #388 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed -
The value of screening athletes to understand injury risk
What screens they perform at Irish Rugby
The value these screens have on injury rates
Check out the full episode with Nicol here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/what-injury-prevention-strategies-work/
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.

Sep 15, 2023 • 1h 7min
Optimising strength and conditioning for combat athletes with Duncan French, Danny Wilson and Rhys Ingram
In this episode, we delve into the intricate world of combat sports, specifically boxing and mixed martial arts (MMA), and the critical aspects of training and preparation that underpin these intense disciplines.
Our expert panel includes Duncan French, from the UFC Performance Institute, Danny Wilson, Co-founder of Boxing Science, and Rhys Ingram, formerly of GB Taekwondo and currently with GB Cycling.
They kick off the discussion by emphasizing the importance of multidisciplinary teams in supporting athletes, including strength and conditioning coaches, physiotherapists, and nutritionists. The challenge lies in orchestrating these diverse experts to work cohesively for the benefit of the athlete.
The panel explores various training philosophies, particularly when it comes to building strength and power in combat sports athletes. The focus here is on lower body impulse and trunk muscle mass as significant contributors to punching power. Training strategies include lower force, high-velocity movements, and max strength development.
Assessments play a pivotal role in athlete profiling, with tests like countermovement jumps, drop jumps, isometric mid-thigh pulls, and peak plantar flexion tests providing insights into an athlete's ability to generate force quickly and efficiently.
The conversation also delves into situational training, where athletes are exposed to unorthodox and challenging scenarios to prepare them mentally and physically for fights. This approach helps athletes develop mental toughness and resilience, crucial for success in combat sports.
Finally, the experts address the complex issue of weight cutting and management. They stress the importance of distinguishing between chronic weight descent and acute weight cutting, offering valuable insights into the science and methodology behind effective weight management. The discussion touches on the significance of day-before weigh-ins and the duty of care toward athletes.
This episode provides an in-depth look at the intricate world of combat sports training, profiling, situational training, and weight management, offering valuable insights for athletes, coaches, and enthusiasts alike.
Main talking points:
Utilising multidisciplinary team support.
Focusing on lower body impulse for power.
Which assessments to use to inform programming.
How to build mental and physical resiliance
Weight management and acute cutting.
Day-before weigh-ins and athlete care