The Speed Lab Podcast

Kyle Bolton, the Director of Speed & Performance for Oregon Football, shares his expertise on building elite speed year-round. He discusses the crucial off-season blueprint, the significance of GPS tracking, and how to blend strength with game speed while preparing for the Big Ten. Bolton also unpacks the impact of NIL and the transfer portal on coaching strategies. Plus, he reveals what sets college speed training apart from combine prep and offers vital advice for aspiring athletes aiming for the league.

In this episode, Les Spellman sits down with legendary quarterback developer Jordan Palmer for a deep dive into what it really takes to build elite quarterbacks. Jordan has trained some of the NFL's biggest names - Josh Allen, Sam Darnold, Joe Burrow - and in this episode, he pulls back the curtain on his evaluation process, the mental and physical traits that separate good from great, and why quarterback development is about movement first, mechanics second.Jordan shares never-before-told stories about Josh Allen's breakthrough during the COVID offseason, what Sam Darnold learned from watching Brock Purdy in San Francisco, and why the quarterback coaching industry is 20 years behind golf. Episode Timestamps0:00 – Intro: How Jordan would develop Les into a quarterback3:21 – The mental and emotional filter: What Jordan looks for before anything physical7:41 – How Jordan assesses learning ability and football IQ9:39 – Breaking down film evaluation: Anticipation, accuracy, and spatial awareness13:43 – The Josh Allen question: What changed year over year?19:41 – Sam Darnold's secret weapon: Resilience and routine20:00 – Quarterbacks who've been "counted out" and came back (Baker, Geno, Sam)22:24 – Why Sam's year in San Francisco was more valuable than anyone realizes26:24 – The LPGA swing coach revelation: "Is everyone doing this wrong?"29:22 – The philosophy: Quarterback is about movement, not just mechanics39:57 – Physical development before technique: The missing piece in youth QB training43:11 – The nutrition gap: Parents invest in training but miss the fundamentals53:28 – How youth sports schedules have changed—and why delivery systems must adapt57:38 – Changing the conversation at the kitchen table58:55 – The lowest hanging fruit for elite performance: Nutrition and sleep1:02:12 – Where to find Jordan Palmer and QB Summit services

Brian Buck, a seasoned applied sports scientist with a history at Sparta Science, shares his expertise on force plate profiling and optimizing athletic performance. He reveals the critical connection between movement efficiency and injury risks, emphasizing the stretch-shortening cycle's role. Brian discusses innovative training tools, including plyometrics and resistance devices, and how data from force plates can tailor in-season strategies for athletes. He also highlights the importance of athlete education and the integration of therapy to maximize training outcomes.

In this episode, Les and Danny are joined by Ken Vick, owner of Velocity Sports Performance, to break down the balance between precision and health in athlete development. They explore how overload, youth specialization, and modern training models impact injury trends across sports. From youth stress fractures to the NBA’s rising injury rates, they dive into how coaches can build capacity without breaking athletes down.The Universal Speed Rating is looking for more sports performance businesses to partner with to systemize your speed training and help grow your business. If you are interested in learning more, click here to schedule an introduction call with our team. Episode Timestamps 00:00–02:00 – Intro and overview 09:00 – Balance vs. Precision in performance and health 14:00 – Chronic injuries in youth athletes 18:00 – Can we “out-train” bad workload strategies? 20:00 – Injury spikes in NBA, MLB, and youth sports 22:00 – Early specialization and long-term effects 26:00 – Training frameworks and proactive approaches 56:00 – Data-driven decision making for coaches 1:11:30 – Correcting the NBA injury stat & closing thoughts

Hunter Eisenhower, Associate Head Coach for Arizona State men's basketball, discusses his innovative 'Force System' training methodology. He explores the four pillars: High, Fast, Slow, and Human Force, which revolutionize traditional strength training. Hunter explains how to profile athletes using his Archetype Quadrants and the importance of balancing force qualities. Listeners will learn practical strategies for injury prevention and performance optimization, along with insightful practical drills for different athletic needs.

Cici and Danny explore the tough realities of making an NFL roster, emphasizing how personality and timing can outweigh pure talent. They share insights on athlete profiling, tendon efficiency, and the importance of balancing health with performance. T-Mac's training regimen showcases how data tracking can significantly impact player resilience and development. They also discuss the role of leadership and authenticity in sports coaching, as well as the benefits of integrating pro-level strategies into high school training.

Explore the rise in youth sports injuries and how early specialization is harming long-term athlete development. The hosts discuss balancing health and performance, critiquing the NFL Combine's focus on short-term gains. They dive into the importance of smarter stress management, parental oversight, and better communication among coaches and medical staff. Learn about the P3 model's insights into biomechanical risks and why adaptability in training programs is crucial for athlete longevity.

Kyle Bolton, a speed and performance coach from the University of Oregon, shares his insights on athlete development. He emphasizes the importance of velocity-based profiling, discussing how it helps tailor training to individual needs. The conversation highlights balancing recovery with intensity to prevent burnout. Bolton also touches on using AI tools for effective training and the significance of communication, making complex data accessible for athletes and their families. His approach bridges science and practical coaching to enhance athlete performance.

In this episode of The Speed Lab Podcast, Les and Danny dive deep into the lessons from the NFL Combine, athlete rehab, and the balance between art and science in coaching. They share behind-the-scenes insights on calf strain rehab, the role of connective tissue, the challenges of interdisciplinary work, and how to create individualized plans inside a team environment. Interested in learning more about the Universal Speed Rating? Click here to schedule a quick call with our team.Episode Timestamps 0:00 – 4:30 | Crash course beginnings, chaos, and lessons learned 4:30 – 11:00 | Solving problems in human performance & staying curious 15:30 – 17:15 | Quadrants as a blueprint for sprint mechanics 26:30 – 33:00 | Inside calf strain rehab: long-duration isometrics, recovery, and daily oversight 35:00 – 37:15 | Connective tissue vs. muscle dominance — why strains happen 41:00 – 43:30 | Why rest and separation of health/performance fails athletes 53:30 – 55:30 | The paradox of concentric vs. eccentric force 58:30 – 1:04:00 | Foot mechanics, posterior tibialis, and performance impact 1:10:30 – 1:13:30 | Leadership lessons: range of motion, reliability, and profiling 1:16:40 – 1:19:45 | Individualization within team programming 1:26:15 – 1:29:45 | NFL complexity and building continuity of care 1:33:00 – End | The future of performance, human connection, and relationships

Dive into the fascinating world of the stretch shortening cycle and the often-overlooked role of pre-tension in sprinting. Discover how faster sprinters generate higher braking forces and why eccentric strength is critical for elite performance. Explore case studies revealing breakthroughs in athlete training and development. Learn about innovative training methods that can enhance ground contact efficiency and tendon health. Uncover practical insights from force plate metrics that reveal the mechanics of speed.