Performance Strategies & Stumbles

Ep30 - Alan Murdoch Stumbles - Not all speed is equal...

Listen time - 29mins
In this episode, Alan shares his stumbles and mistakes as a strength and conditioning coach. He discusses a hamstring strain injury and the lessons he learned from it. He reflects on the importance of preparing the nervous system and understanding that not all speed is equal. He also talks about programming mistakes, including a focus on linear periodization and force generation rather than force application. Alan shares his experience of trying to influence a program and the importance of choosing the right battles. Overall, the episode highlights the importance of continuous learning and adapting in the field of strength and conditioning.
Lessons from the episode:
Prepare the nervous system for high exertion and high-intensity running to prevent injuries.
Not all speed is equal; consider the positions and movements that can lead to injury.
Avoid focusing solely on force generation in the gym; prioritize force application in specific movement tasks.
Choose your battles wisely when trying to influence a program; consider the relationships and dynamics within the team.
Continuous learning and adaptation are essential in the field of strength and conditioning.
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Dan

Ep29 - Andrew Usher Strategy - Rethinking Conditioning.

Listen Time: 33mins
In this conversation, I welcome Andrew Usher to discuss the importance of understanding oxygen utilization in sports performance. We challenge the traditional focus on VO2 max as a measure of aerobic capacity and highlight the significance of muscle extraction and utilisation of oxygen. We dig into the benefits of extracting oxygen quickly and efficiently and it being more important than the volume of oxygen consumed. Andrew shares his research findings on the impact of supermaximal training on mitochondrial function and oxygen utilization. We also discuss the implications of these findings for injury recovery and team sports performance.
Takeaways
VO2 max is not the sole determinant of aerobic capacity; muscle extraction and utilization of oxygen are equally important.
The ability to extract oxygen quickly and efficiently is crucial for sports performance.
Supermaximal training can significantly improve mitochondrial function and oxygen utilization.
Understanding oxygen utilization can have implications for injury recovery and team sports performance.
If this episode challenged you to rethink conditioning work in any way, consider checking out the "Clarity in Conditioning" mentorship we have just launched. Visit www.collaboratesports.com/thegroupmentorships
As always, don't hesitate to reach out and hope you are enjoying the show!
Dan
 

Ep28 - Richard Husseiny Stumbles - Trying to make impact too soon!

Listen Time 28mins
Richard Husseiny shares his journey from the UK Sports Institute to working with Chinese diving teams in this Performance Strategies and Stumbles podcast episode. He reflects on the cultural differences, initial mistakes, and the importance of building relationships over making immediate impacts. Richard discusses the pressures of performance, the challenges of communication in a new environment, and the significance of self-awareness and personal fulfilment in coaching. He emphasises the need to overcome imposter syndrome and the importance of work-life balance, ultimately advocating for a collaborative coaching and career development approach.
Some key talking points we cover:
Transitioning to a new environment can reveal unexpected challenges.
Cultural differences can significantly impact communication and collaboration.
Building relationships is more important than making immediate impacts.
Self-imposed pressure can hinder performance and decision-making.
Imposter syndrome is common among coaches and practitioners.
It's important to ask questions and seek clarity in your role.
If you enjoyed the podcast, do like and share on your networks, and if you'd like to see more about the Group Mentorship work we do at Collaborate Sports, please visit www.collaboratesports.com
Tune in again next week!
Dan

Ep27 - Paul Talty Strategy - Strength and Power Development in Swimming

Listen Time - 30mins
In this episode, I interview Paul Talty about strength and power development for swimming. Paul was Head of Performance for Swim Ireland leading into Paris 2024 where they delivered medal-winning performances.
We discuss Strength & Power development in swimmers and Paul emphasises that swimming is different from other sports due to the unique environment it takes place in. 
Throughout this interesting episode you will experience the following takeaways from Pauls insight: 
Swimming is different from other sports due to the unique environment it takes place in.
Increasing mass and force production in swimming requires careful consideration, as excessive mass can hinder performance in the water.Identify specific areas for improvement, such as starts, turns, or free swimming speed, and tailor the training program accordingly.
Focus on basic strength and conditioning principles and use a tier system to structure sessions.
Consider the trade-off between emphasizing weaknesses and emphasizing strengths in the training program.
Use swim-specific isometric strength training and exercises that mimic block starts to enhance transfer to the pool.
Be mindful of the limited energy available to swimmers and avoid excessive fatigue from the strength and conditioning program.
As mentioned in the episode, please take a look at both the group mentorships we are now enrolling practitioners for, on a first come first serve basis (www.collaboratesports.com/thegroupmentorships) and the great block article from Jordan Welsh (www.collaboratesports.com/blog/jordanwelsh)
If you enjoyed the episode, feel free to like and share with those in your network!
Dan
 

Ep26 - Liam Connor Stumbles - Check and Challenge

Listen Time - 27mins
In this episode, I welcome Liam Connor to the podcast. Liam has a background in S&C and professional football, as well as his most recent roles at the UK Sports Institute.  Liam shares his experience of letting his ego get in the way and clashing with others, leading to conflicts and disputes.
We also discuss the importance of respect, listening, and learning in resolving conflicts. Liam explores the relationship between strength and conditioning coaches and technical coaches, highlighting the need for mutual understanding and collaboration. We reflect on the importance of seeking external feedback and support in your personal development too!
As mentioned in the outro, if you'd like to learn more about the Collaborate Sports Group Mentorship programmes, now open for enrollment please visit https://collaboratesports.com/thegroupmentorships to find out more
I hope you enjoy the show!
Dan

Ep25 - Alan Murdoch Strategy - Fast to Fit Rehab

Listen time 29mins
I welcome Alan Murdoch to the podcast to discuss his strategies towards rehab called Fast to Fit, which focuses on the underpinning physical qualities and coordination required for high-intensity actions in team sports.
I have been a huge advocate of Alan's work for some time so it was great to finally get some time to hone in on his core principles!
Some key takeaways from the show are:
Takeaways
Fast to Fit is a rehab approach that focuses on the physical qualities and coordination required for high-intensity actions in team sports.
The development and tolerance of speed are prioritized in the rehab process.The 10-30 protocol is used to gradually build speed through upright running drills.
Non-negotiables, such as no pain, no response, technical threshold of exectution, and physical outputs all guide decision-making in the rehab process.
Game simulation is used to create conditioning sessions tailored to the athlete's strengths and weaknesses.
Take a listen and do let us know what you think across social media! Alans online course "Fast to Fit" built in conjunction with Sportsmith can be found here: https://www.sportsmith.co/courses/fast-fit-a-speed-based-approach-to-lower-limb-rehab-and-training/
I hope you enjoy the show
Dan
 

Ep24 - Paul Laursen Strategy and Stumbles - "Too much too soon"

Listen time 54mins
Welcome back to another episode of the podcast.
A huge thanks to Gemini Sports who have sponsored this episode. Please check out www.geminisports.ai to see more about how they can help your organisation.
In this conversation, Paul shares his journey from athlete to academic and coach, discussing the importance of individualisation in training and the lessons learned from his coaching mistakes. He emphasises the significance of understanding the physiological responses to high-intensity training and the concept of lactate spillover. The discussion also covers the evolution of HIIT Science and the introduction of Athletica, a tool designed to help athletes and coaches optimize training through data analysis and feedback.
We cover: 
Takeaways
Individualization is crucial in coaching to avoid injuries.
Understanding the athlete's background is essential for effective training.
High-intensity training can lead to significant performance improvements if applied correctly.
Mistakes in coaching can lead to valuable lessons and growth.
Lactate spillover is linked to central nervous system stress and recovery needs.
Technology can enhance coaching but should not replace the human element.
Effective coaching requires a balance of prescription and communication.
Please check out www.hiitscience.com and www.athletica.ai to see more of what we discuss in the pod.
I hope you enjoy the episode and let me know what you think!
Dan
 

Ep23 - Dr Shaun McLaren Stumbles - "Ping! Hamstring off the bone"

This week we welcome back Shaun McLaren for his episode reflecting on mistakes and lessons learned in his career!
In this conversation, Shaun shares two pivotal coaching mistakes. The first mistake was testing a player on day one of preseason with a repeated sprint test, which resulted in a severe hamstring injury. The second mistake was using high-speed running and sprinting exposure as risk factors for injury without considering the limitations of the data. Both mistakes taught Shaun the importance of being flexible and reactive in coaching, as well as the need to prioritise skill development and performance problem-solving over data-driven approaches.
I hope you enjoy the episode, please share to your networks if you do!
Dan
 

Ep22 - Ivi Casagrande Strategy- High Performance Reflections

This week we welcome back Ivi for her strategy segment of the podcast.
Our conversation discusses the importance of high-performance reflection processes for practitioners. Ivi shares her experience of using journaling and reflection to enhance her coaching effectiveness. She emphasises the need for practitioners to be present and aware of what is happening in their environment. She explains how she uses journal logs and Excel sheets to capture insights, player feedback, and common trends.
Ivi also highlights the value of collaboration and communication among the coaching staff to connect the dots and take action based on reflections. She acknowledges the challenges of implementing reflection processes and the need for leaders to create a supportive environment for practitioners.
We hope you enjoy the listen - and don't forget to check out our mentorships starting in under a month: www.collaboratesports.com/thegroupmentorships
Dan
 

Ep21 - Ivi Casagrande Stumbles - "Perfectionism took me to the hospital..."

In this conversation, Ivi shares her experiences and lessons learned in her career as a strength and conditioning coach. She discusses the mistakes she made and the challenges she faced, including perfectionism, lack of confidence, and overanalysing everything. Ivi emphasises the importance of being authentic, listening to players, and finding a balance between meeting their needs and asserting what needs to be done. She also highlights the need for collaboration and communication among different departments in a performance environment. Overall, Ivi's journey showcases the importance of self-reflection, growth, and adaptability in the field of sports performance.
A big thank you to FKpro for sponsoring this episode! FKpro is a versatile suspension training kit and is a training tool I have used for over 10 years. The company have forged great partnerships with several professional clubs and has become renowned for being the most versatile suspension training equipment out there, because of their unique attachments that can be used with the equipment. Please do check out their website here (www.fkpro.co.uk) to see the equipment. You can purchase using the collaborate sports discount 'CS20' to receive 20% off your purchase!
Please don't forget our mentorship programmes are only on sale till the end of this week - check them out here - www.collaboratesports.com/thegroupmentorships 
I hope you enjoy the listen!
Dan