Eamonn Flanagan: Key Principles Behind Effective Plyometric and Jump Training
Eamonn Flanagan is the Head of S&C at the Sport Ireland Institute. In this episode, Eamonn shares deep insights from a career that spans elite Olympic (including track & field), Paralympic, and professional rugby environments. He is very well known for his work on jump or plyometric training with peer-reviewed research, online courses and much more on this form of training. We unpack a range of topics including:-Eamonn's career journey and some key perspective shifts along the way-Varying physical preparation based on sporting demands-Coaching and progressing plyometric training-Technique and adaptations during intense plyometrics like drop jumps and horizontal bounding-Key considerations when using Post-Activation Potentiation (PAP)Eamonn also discusses collaboration with sport coaches, the importance of shared language, and how to align physical training with sport-specific goals. Whether you’re an track and field coach, S&C, or an athlete, this conversation is a masterclass in practical wisdom and nuanced coaching from someone with a large amount practical and academic experience.Find Eammon:-X: https://x.com/EamonnFlanagan-Research: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Eamon...Support the show
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56:18
Joseph Coyne: Giving the Athlete What They Need When They Need It
Joseph Coyne, PhD is the Director of High Performance & Sports Development, Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar and Strength & Conditioning Coach, Elite Sport Program & Swimming, Bond UniversityJoseph's experience in Track & Field extends far and wide; we dug into his time working with the Chinese athletics federation including his work supporting Olympic-level sprinters and jumpers alongside world-renowned coach Randy Huntington. Joseph shares practical insights on plyometric training, athlete profiling, special strength training, contrast methods, as well as how he adapts his approach across youth, developing, and elite athletes.Joseph conducted his PhD research on training load at Edith Cowen University in Perth and has also written widely on topics such as plyometrics, strength and power development, and performance testing – with work published on SimpliFaster, Sportsmith, and various peer-reviewed journals. There are very few in the sports performance field with the degree of applied and academic experience as Joseph has, so I hope you enjoy this one!🔗 Explore more of Joseph’s work:ResearchGate profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joseph-CoyneArticles on SimpliFaster: https://simplifaster.com/articles/author/josephcoyne/Articles on Sportsmith: https://www.sportsmith.co/contributors/joseph-coyne/Support the show
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1:13:51
Chris Shambrook: How Psychological Preparation Fuels Performance, Confidence, and Resilience
Dr. Chris Shambrook, is a renowned expert in performance psychology with over five Olympic cycles of experience. In this episode, Chris shares his journey from earning a PhD in sports psychology to working extensively with British Rowing, Olympic athletes, and high-performance teams across various sports and business settings.We explore the evolving role of sports psychology in elite environments, discussing how athletes and coaches can integrate psychological skills into daily training rather than treating them as separate sessions. Chris explains the challenge vs. threat mindset, the importance of psychological adaptability, and how mental preparation can influence an athlete’s ability to perform under pressure.Additionally, we dive into the nuances of confidence-building, the balance between outcome-driven and process-focused athletes, and the critical role of self-awareness in long-term success. Chris also shares practical strategies for managing expectations, developing resilience, and maintaining performance consistency across different competition scenarios.Chris is now focused on applying his expertise in the corporate world through PlanetK2, where he helps individuals and teams develop high-performance mindsets in business environments. You can learn more about his work at PlanetK2.com or access free high-performance resources at The Performance Room.Tune in for an in-depth discussion on the psychological factors that shape elite athletic performance and how these principles can be applied both in sport and beyond.Support the show
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1:14:15
James Sandilands: The Art and Science of High Jumping
Athletics New Zealand track and field coach, James Sandilands is mainly known as the coach to the current World Indoor and Olympic champion in the jump, Hamish Kerr, but James's current crop of high level athletes spans far and wide from multi-eventers, sprinters, and horizontal jumpers.He is a former high jumper and hurdler himself with several years of experience as both a performance technique analyst and a strength and conditioning coach for High Performance Sport New Zealand.In this episode:-James' transition from athlete to coach and the pivotal mentors who shaped his path.-The nuances of coaching at the elite level, balancing technical precision with the art of communication.-Insights into performance analysis, biomechanics, and their critical roles in enhancing athletic performance.-The complexities of high jump training, from approach strategies to managing the psychological aspects of competition.-The collaborative dynamics within a high-performance team and the continuous learning curve of coaching.Support the show
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1:23:08
Werner Prinsloo: Akani Simbine's Journey to 9.82 and 4th Place at the Paris Olympics
In this episode, I chatted with Werner Prinsloo, the coach behind South African sprinting sensation Akani Simbine who in his third consecutive Olympic 100m final, at the age of 30, ran a national record of 9.82 seconds to finish fourth place.  Werner shares his unique journey into coaching, from a corporate career to becoming a full-time coach for one of the world’s most consistent sub-10-second sprinters and his group of aspiring elite sprinters in Johannesburg. Key topics include:-How Werner transitioned from coaching recreational athletes to working with elite sprinters.-Akani Simbine’s journey from raw talent to global track star, including the pivotal moments and training adjustments that fueled his success.-The critical role of a strong support team in sustaining elite performance, including strength coaches, physiotherapists, and agents.-Werner technical approach to sprinting, including block setup, acceleration mechanics, and the importance of repetition in skill-building.-The value of consistent mentorship, trust-building, and adaptability in coaching.-Socio-economic challenges faced by many South African athletes and the creative solutions he employs to support and nurture their potential. Follow Werner and his group on Instagram @Werner_Prinsloo and @ontrack_sprintSupport the show
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