S2 Cognition Podcast

Dub Maddox offers his insight in exploring quarterback development at its core - how players process information, react under pressure, and execute with precision as well as why understanding a QB’s mental game is the key to unlocking performance. Whether you’re a coach, player, or parent, this episode is designed to give you the blueprint for training smarter and more efficiently, not just harder. Dub goes on to offer insights from high-level programs, explain why decision-making training matters, and gives actionable steps for anyone looking to start today. Interested in the R4 System? Click here!

In this episode, LSU Softball Assistant Coach, Bryce Neal and Director of Player Performance and Analytics, Zach Jermain dive into the innovative approaches to player development and analytics in softball, highlighting the importance of integrating cognitive and physical aspects of performance. Bryce and Zach discuss the significance of swing decisions, and the role of data in coaching. They emphasize the need for effective practice design and feedback loops to enhance player performance and foster a winning culture.

Drew Dunlop, Private Basketball Development Coach of The Pro Lane, trains players in the NBA such as Tyler Herro, elite international and college basketball players all the way down to the youth market. In this episode, the discussion works through the evolution of player development, emphasizing the shift from traditional training to using a CLA (Constraints Led Approach) when creating decision-making drills in game-like environments. Drew discusses the importance of understanding the unique, individual processing traits of athletes to create efficient constraints that foster creativity and adaptability based on how the athlete processes on-court split-second information. The conversation also touches on the joy of coaching and the significance of making practices feel like real games to enhance player performance. Drew Dunlop - The Pro Lane

Jack Marucci, LSU's Director of Performance, discusses the integration of cognitive science and performance metrics in sports, particularly football. He emphasizes the importance of eye tracking, data-driven player development, and the evolution of coaching practices to adapt to modern challenges. Marucci shares insights on how cognitive processing impacts quarterback performance and the significance of character in player success. He also highlights the role of technology in training and the importance of building relationships in the sports industry.

Ohio State Women's Hockey Head Coach, Nadine Muzerall, discusses her approach to building a winning culture in women's hockey, emphasizing the importance of trust, respect, and data-driven coaching. She shares insights on the significance of understanding individual player dynamics, and the innovative drills she employs to enhance skill development – including her “ice cats” drill that is one of the most creative drills I’ve seen a coach draw up. Coach Muzerall also reflects on the balance between stability and flexibility in decision-making, her relentless pursuit of winning, and aspirations for the future of her coaching career.

Ľuboš Bartečko played professional hockey for 21 seasons and he shares his personal journey of discovering cognitive testing and how it has transformed his coaching approach, allowing him to better understand his player's strengths and inconsistencies. The discussion also touches on the importance of adapting coaching methods to individual players, the role of parents in athlete development, and the distinction between physical speed and play speed. We wrap up the conversation by discussing how understanding a player's unique cognitive profile can enhance their performance and decision-making on the ice.

Mt. Juliet Head Football Coach, Trey Perry discusses the intricacies of coaching football, emphasizing the importance of understanding quick decision-making, and the need for adaptability in coaching strategies. Coach shares insights on how to effectively implement practice techniques, leverage player S2 profiles for success, and build strong relationships with players to enhance their performance. We wrap up the discussion by highlighting the role of data in making informed coaching decisions and the necessity of evolving coaching strategies to meet the changing dynamics of the game.

Jamie Tutko, LSU Baseball Director of Pitching Development discusses the relationship between on-field hitting performance and S2 testing metrics. He breaks down key categories such as perception speed, trajectory estimation, timing control, and impulse control, explaining how they correlate with on-field player performance. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding these metrics for player development and improving hitting strategies. In this conversation, we delve into the intricacies of baseball performance metrics, player development strategies, and the importance of creating a supportive team environment.

Lipscomb Baseball Head Coach and Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Famer, Jeff Forehand dives into the introduction of S2 cognitive training through Paul Phillips during his time at Lipscomb, and its impact on player development. He discusses the importance of understanding player deficiencies, implementing isolated, targeted drills, and the role of focus and distraction in training. Jeff then emphasizes the evolution of baseball training techniques and the significance of cognitive insights in improving player performance.

Dallas Cowboys National Scout/Special Projects, Klein Kubiak discusses the intricacies of scouting and player evaluation, focusing on the importance of intangibles, cognitive aspects, and the evolution of analytics in sports. We then dive into how understanding a player's cognitive makeup can significantly impact their performance and fit within a team, emphasizing the need for a balance between measurable skills and the intangible qualities that define successful athletes. Finally, we run through the importance of tailoring offensive strategies to the strengths of quarterbacks, the dynamics between scouts/front office and coaches in the NFL specifically highlighting the multifaceted nature of predicting success in elite athletes, and touch on Kubiak's family legacy in football and the significance of winning a Super Bowl.

14 Year NFL Veteran and Super Bowl Champion, Drew Stanton delves into the concept of impulse control, specifically in the context of quarterbacks in the NFL. The discussion highlights how impulse control affects decision-making on the field, pre-snap reads, and the pressures that influence a quarterback's decisions. The conversation emphasizes the complexity of the quarterback position and the need for tailored coaching strategies to enhance decision-making skills. Drew also touches on the intricacies of impulse control in quarterbacks, emphasizing the importance of game-like practice scenarios and the need for error correction in practice settings. We end the discussion talking through how coaches can create environments that challenge players to make decisions under pressure, ultimately leading to better performance on the field.

Brian has worked at Elite 11, the youth QB camp gold standard, since its inception and oversees all elements from scouting, to drill work, to the finals MVP decision. Drew was an early attendee at the Elite 11 and went on to play QB at Michigan State and in the league for 14 years capping off his final season with a Super Bowl victory with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. We dive into the evolution of quarterback evaluation and development. We also highlight the importance of both the physical and the highly desired intangible qualities that form the make-up of quarterbacks, the role decision-making plays in on-field performance, and the excitement and challenges of building innovative, “on the field” decision making drills for QB training and development.

We dive into the early days of the company, the evolution of cognitive testing in sports, the importance of measuring cognitive processing in athletes, the logistics that go into testing collegiate and professional teams, and the valuable insights gained from their work with teams like LSU and Alabama. We also touch on some personal anecdotes and travel experiences related to our work in sports science.

Chapman University Men’s Basketball Head Coach and Host of the Slappin’ Glass Podcast, Dan Krikorian dives into the intricacies and challenges coaches face when understanding player’s on-court decision-making while also exploring the pain-points coaches have in player's on-court decision making. Then he explains the importance of understanding player dynamics and creating synergistic rotations based on how player’s make reads and decisions, and the need for adaptability and continuous learning in the coaching profession. Slappin’ Glass Website to join their newsletter: https://www.slappinglass.com/ Slappin’ Glass Apple Podcast Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/slappin-glass-podcast/id1528050811

Veteran Coach and former Wisconsin Herd Player Development Assistant, Omar Mance, covers the importance of data and analytics in basketball coaching. He emphasizes the complexity of decision-making at the highest level of the game and how data can help identify players with the capacity to excel in certain situations. Mance also highlights the role of coaching in helping players improve their decision-making skills and overcome inconsistencies. The conversation touches on the emphasis for on-court training and the importance of understanding the speed and dynamics of the game.

The University of Alabama Men’s Assistant Basketball Coach, Ryan Pannone, dives into how S2 testing helped unlock innovation in his coaching by targeting specific areas for improvement and designing more efficient drills. He also discusses his approach of teaching, drilling, reading, and playing to develop players’ decision-making abilities, and emphasizes the importance of making mistakes in real-time and learning from them. Additionally, we touch on the need for self-correction and the importance of building flexible brains and creating opportunities for players to improvise and find rapid solutions.

Since going undrafted in 2019, Calvin Anderson has played in 46 NFL games and throughout the episode, he lays out his journey up to this season. He dives into the mental and physical challenges of playing on the offensive line and the importance of quick reactions and decision-making. Anderson also highlights the value of understanding the scheme and the ability to isolate and focus during high-pressure situations. We then discuss the value of on-the-fly thinking and reacting amidst conflict, and how it sets players apart. Finally, he discusses how quantifying and identifying these skills allows coaches to assess players and coach them more efficiently.

Luke McCown dives into the complexity of decision-making for quarterbacks and explores the nuances of offensive schemes, play action, and post-snap reads. We also cover the evolution of offensive strategies and the impact of motion, as well as the cognitive and visual processing involved in reading defenses and making split-second decisions. Luke then details the complexities of reading defenses, making split-second decisions, and the training methods to improve decision-making skills. The discussion also touches on the role of experience, talent, and practice in honing these skills, as well as the challenges faced by young athletes in developing their decision-making abilities.

Brandon, Scott, Will and Dub discuss read-react skills in quarterbacks. Specifically, the guys review Visual Learning, Instinctive Learning, and Decision Complexity, and how these cognitive skills translate onto the field. Coaches Dub Maddox and Will Hewlett talk about coaching strategies for these cognitive skills, specific drills that worked to improve performance, and configuring scheme and practice based on maximizing performance. You don't want to miss this one...lots of good coaching nuggets! Ep 31 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-31-adaptive-strategies-for-field-vision-in/id1636895843?i=1000646613303 Ep 32 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5HKCb5Y5ss1iT7yypRWCsS?si=5471a5428b984875

Co-Founders Brandon Ally and Scott Wylie discuss field vision in quarterbacks. Specifically, the guys review Perception Speed, Search Efficiency, and Tracking Capacity, and how these cognitive skills translate onto the field. Coaches Dub Maddox and Will Hewlett talk about coaching strategies for these cognitive skills, specific drills that worked to improve performance, and configuring scheme and practice based on maximizing performance. Finally, the guys break down different cognitive styles, different play styles, and how to move the needle in coaching quarterbacks. Its a fascinating listen!