Two Coaches & a Coffee

Sipping a gin from Western Australia, I couldn't help but think of the glamor versus the reality of work travel, a theme that surfaces throughout our chat. Co-host Darren Burgess joins me, fresh from a Singaporean encounter, to dissect both the visible and behind-the-scenes intricacies of sports—ranging from player performance to the holistic methods shaping modern sports medicine. As we unpack the delicate matter of Connor Rozee's hamstring injury and the subsequent decisions made by Port Adelaide's leadership, we traverse the complexities of responsibility in professional sports and the media's unwavering gaze that often intensifies the situation. Technology's advance into the domain of sports is ushering in an era where data is king, but who does this kingdom belong to? In this riveting session, we explore how innovations like SpeedSig are changing the game for player evaluations and contract talks, illustrated by Kevin De Bruyne's strategic use of his own metrics. We stand firm on the belief that athletes should retain ownership over their data, all while dissecting the layers of international privacy laws and advocating for a more nuanced approach to predictive analysis. The conversation promises to evolve, with untapped topics on the horizon and the unwavering spirit of our discussions extending beyond an empty gin glass. Join us next time as Darren and I continue to blend insight with a dash of humor, serving up a thoughtful conversation that's as refreshing as the gin we started with. SpeedSig Intro

Can shunning the weight room actually shield athletes from injury, or does it rob them of peak performance? Newcastle's Anthony Gordon seems to think so, but this episode digs deeper into the complex world of strength training in professional sports. We tackle the debate head-on, contrasting Gordon's weightlifting aversion with insights from industry giants like Chelsea's former manager, who champion a more natural approach to fitness. Expect a rigorous examination of strength training's role in developing sport-specific force, muscle mass, and its implications for both enhancing performance and preventing injuries. Today's discussion isn't just about pumping iron; it's about understanding the art and science behind training and injury management. We highlight the intriguing concept of the 'minimum effective dose' with a case study of a rugby player's strength maintenance. Delving into the research of JB Morin, we debunk myths around lifting weights and speed enhancement, and analyze an AFL player's expedited comeback from a hamstring injury, underscoring the precision required in tailoring training programs to each athlete's physiological response. Cheers to knowledge, community, and the endless pursuit of athletic excellence! SpeedSig Intro

Dive into the world of athletic excellence with Darren and I as we dissect the nuanced science of periodization in athletic training. We discuss the dynamic interplay between competitive sports schedules and strategic training adaptations. We'll uncover how the preordained sports calendar can both facilitate and hinder an athlete's journey to peak performance, especially in the grueling run-up to an AFL season. Darren's firsthand experiences bring to light the tough decisions surrounding de-load weeks, and the tension between textbook theories and the tailored tweaks that are essential for elevating an athlete to their fullest potential. The Achilles issues around the NFL are still on our radar, putting the spotlight on the delicate balance between an athlete's fervor for competition and their imperative need for recovery. This narrative sets the stage for a broader conversation about the ethical crossroads faced by sports professionals when injury management collides with the relentless drive for victory. As we pivot to the NFL draft, Darren's PhD research on draft prediction accuracy takes center stage, examining how in-game performance metrics can vastly enhance the foresight into an athlete's professional trajectory. Expect to be captivated as we scrutinize the draft's entertainment value, the ethical quandaries in high-stakes scenarios, and the lasting impact these decisions have on the athletes we admire. SpeedSig Intro

Ever wondered who's really at the helm when it comes to managing the wellbeing of top-tier athletes? Alongside the esteemed Darren Burgess, we peel back the curtain on the behind-the-scenes drama and the intricate tapestry of responsibilities that high-performance teams juggle in the AFL. Facing a storm of injuries and public scrutiny, we candidly share the heat that comes with the territory and argue the case for broader accountability, extending from the locker room to the coach's clipboard. Let's talk about the unseen hurdles in sports performance — like that time an athlete's clandestine activities off the pitch threw us a curveball. We lay bare the complexities of managing elite sportspeople, balancing the scales between athlete autonomy and the structured discipline necessary for peak performance. Our stories from the trenches reveal just how crucial it is to invite fresh perspectives and the edge it gives in staying ahead of the game. With the sports science landscape constantly shifting beneath our feet, we reflect on how trends in the EPL and college football are informing our approach here in AFL. I share my experiences in fostering talent within the team, coaching a PhD student to become a crucial pivot in our strategy. As we sign off, we muse about the essential ingredients for a thriving workplace culture, and yes, tease your palate with the promise of future coffee adventures — because what's a good chat without a great brew, right? Join us for this riveting exploration of sports, science, and the human element that binds them. SpeedSig Intro

Darren and Jason explore the delicate dance between peak conditioning and injury prevention, taking cues from Giannis Antetokounmpo's calf scare, shedding light on the deceptive nature of low-intensity activities. We discuss on the critical speeds that place undue stress on an athlete's calf musculature, and understand why knowing each athlete's response to training is foundational for crafting injury prevention strategies. There is also discussion on Notre Dame University's partnership with the NFL, and their research project examining how running gait and volume training uniquely impact the hamstring injury risk profiles. As we pivot to a biomechanical debate that's likely to be a popularized subject in the coming year, we have an introductory discussion of Serge Gracovetsky's spinal engine theory and its potential game-changing role in sports. We wrap up the podcast looking at the pressures of high-performance programs amidst public scrutiny and the weight of victory expectations. Our firsthand experiences with the turbulence of professional sports and navigating criticism shed light on the criticality of maintaining a robust process. Tune in for an immersive experience that goes beyond the playbook and into the minds and muscles that fuel athletic greatness.

Embark with me, Jason Weber, on a solo flight where we'll unravel the intricacies of creating a training philosophy that's as resilient as it is dynamic. With Darren Burgess away at an AFL event, I dissect the core of what makes us tick professionally across strength and conditioning, rehab, and physiotherapy arenas. As we traverse the nuances of cultivating a successful approach to professional growth, I'll share personal anecdotes and the inevitable missteps that have sculpted my career. It's a candid conversation about the art of decision-making in pro sport—from the complexities of running mechanics to crafting an athlete's career trajectory. Get ready for an episode that highlights the importance of humility, a scientific mindset, and the invaluable influence of both positive and negative mentorship. Tune in and discover how to navigate your professional journey with a philosophy that's not set in stone, but rather, one that evolves with each sprint, hurdle, and marathon you encounter. SpeedSig Intro

In this episode we discuss some real-life decision making around ACL return to play, the day-to-day interactions and challenges of staff in a high performance environment and offer a few insights on developing rehabilitation skills for young practitioners. SpeedSig Intro

We're back! Time has been pretty tight for both of us, but Darren and I are back on deck. In this episode we have a recap on the tendon issues across multiple sports and Darren puts me under the microscope for how I might manage a challenging tendon in-season. We also discuss bringing a team "up" in-season and the way to manage it in context to the season, and touch on a few areas of development for young coaches. SpeedSig Intro

This is a special episode of Two Coaches & a Coffee. While Darren deals with Round 1 of AFL, Jason has a brew with Terrance Kennell, Director of Football Science and Speed from the University of South Florida. Standby for something a little different. For the video version check out https://vimeo.com/showcase/speedsig. SpeedSig Intro

The catch-up session. SpeedSig Intro

Its been an interrupted start to 2024 for Two Coaches and a Coffee. But at last we are back on track. With the NFL season closing in the US and and the AFL just about to get started in Australia we take a lock at the injury trends in both games. SpeedSig Intro

After a brief break due to preseason and travel commitments, Darren and Jason are back discussing whats happening in US sports science and the decisions facing teams in the later stages of preseason in Australia. SpeedSig Intro

In this episode Darren and Jason look at the challenges of creating change in an organization from both a technical and a personal perspective, and throws some ideas around about knee injuries in women's sport and the challenges of coaching changes. SpeedSig Intro

The Xmas Edition. We take a number of twists and turns in this episode but the central idea is KNOW what you are doing before you start trying to impact people's athletic careers. SpeedSig Intro

In this episode we use the back drop of the UFC 296 preparation to discuss the validity of military style training designed to get athletes "tougher". Do they work? Do they just get in the way? SpeedSig Intro

In this weeks episode we discuss the mind games coaches use in training, the emerging hamstring plague in English football, strength training in time poor programs, the value of "emptying" out, and how monitoring data helps adapt elite programs. SpeedSig Intro

Another Achilles explosion in the NFL. What would you do about it? That's the big question in today's show. We also have a quick look at how the preseason for AFL is shaping up in Australia.

In this episode we have a good chat about building a career, what it means to set your own standards, the value in practicing coaching and the importance of having a real "role" in sport when you are a HPM. SpeedSig Intro

Today we have a good yarn about the Australian Physio Association creating a greater divide between performance and medical than already exists. We also tackle stress in our athletes, being an empathetic coach and note quality of Darren's gardening skills. SpeedSig Intro

Episode 10 In this Episode Darren and Jason discuss the ingenuity around studying the high performance work place, how to do it using technology, books that you should read and the role of the consultant. SpeedSig Intro