Today’s episode features Bobby Whyte, an athletic performance and basketball skill enhancement trainer operating out of Northern New Jersey.
Focusing on developing the complete player athlete, Bobby practices the “Evaluate – Educate -Empower” program he experienced first hand growing up training with now world-renowned trainers and specialists. Bobby has worked with athletes ranging from beginner to NBA/NFL/Overseas Professionals. Most recently, he spent 6 months working in China as the Head Strength Coach for the Guangxi Rhinos.
Bobby’s story is inspirational, overcoming severe struggles in his early 20’s, to turning his life around and becoming a top-level basketball skills and athletic performance trainer. His story is the epitome of the idea of going through the deepest valley in order to reach the highest mountain. Bobby is the exact kind of coach I would have loved to have as a young athlete, he truly cares about the individual person, more than he cares about the results that they achieve (although he is excellent at getting those sporting results).
Bobby is a coach who trains physical development and skills all under one roof, as he is a certified strength coach, as well as an expert developer of basketball abilities. In today’s podcast, Bobby begins with his own inspirational story, and how it has impacted his coaching and investment in the lives of his athletes on a daily basis. In terms of training and technical information, Bobby takes us through his program from general skill to specific skill development, and everything in between. He also gives us his take on the over-specialization of young basketball players and his use of breathing techniques help athletes de-stress. This episode is a chance to step inside the life of a coach who is changing the lives of those he works with.
Today’s episode is brought to you by SimpliFaster, supplier of high-end athletic development tools, such as the Freelap timing system, kBox, Sprint 1080, and more.
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View more podcast episodes at the podcast homepage.Key Points
- Bobby’s story of how he turned his life around in a positive direction and got into coaching
- Bobby’s philosophy of putting the athlete first, personally, before their sport performance training
- Ideas on the general physical skills needed to support the game of basketball
- A typical training day with Bobby as he covers both skill and strength work
- Bobby’s baselines for each player he works with from a physical perspective
- Thoughts on the FMS and movement screening in general
- Key movements Bobby wants his athletes to be good at in the sport of basketball
- Bobby’s thoughts on year round basketball and over-specialization
- Bobby’s use of breath work in his training space
“As bad as my life was, I don’t regret it, because it’s turned me into the person I am today… my ability to relate with people who struggle”
“99% of my clients are basketball players, and I could care less if they become a really great basketball player if they don’t like who they see in the morning when they look in the mirror”
“The more I learn about my athletes, the more I can help”
“Before we get in the gym, the court, before we even get there, I just want to sit down and talk…. I ask them “what’s important to you”… the more I ask what’s important to you, the more I get from surface level stuff, to soul level stuff, the stuff that’s really driving them”
“By putting it all (strength and skill work) under one roof, I’ve streamlined it, I’ve simplified it. I’ve created a place where my basketball players can come to one spot and get to the next level on where they need to go”
“I’m always focused on the movement first, can they own the position? Are they stable on one foot, do they decelerate properly, can they get to the right positions that are going to carry over to sport”
“My goal is not to get a kid to a 21 (in the FMS) my goal is to get him better in his sport”
“This kid is a 9 out of 21 (in the FMS) but he can 360 windmill and is a top 20 player in the country… am I going to use that to judge this athlete? No, it’s only one tool”
“It is going to give me more information on him that I wouldn’t have had if I didn’t have some type of structured assessment. If you are not doing that… what are you doing?”
“My best basketball players are not my best lifters, they are not my best guys in the weightroom. I want you to be able to control your movement”
“We don’t want to be able to move our body around the ball, we want to have control of the ball around our body”
“It’s a huge problem in basketball right now, kids are playing 12 months out of the year”
About Bobby Whyte
Bobby Whyte is an Athletic Performance and Basketball Skill Enhancement Trainer operating out of Northern New Jersey.
Focusing on developing the complete player athlete, Bobby practices the “Evaluate – Educate -Empower” program he experienced first hand growing up training with now world renown trainers and specialists. His personal journey, beginning with a 12” vertical jump at age 15 to playing and coaching basketball internationally provide him understanding and the confidence needed to tailor programs which maximize individual development. With a quick wit, Bobby makes tough, challenging sessions entertaining.
Bobby is a certified NASM Personal Trainer and FMS Movement Specialist. He’s also certified with I’m Possible Training, the worlds largest basketball training company. He’s worked with athletes ranging from beginner to NBA/NFL/Overseas Professionals. Most recently, he spent 6 months working in China as the Head Strength Coach for the Guangxi Rhinos.
Bobby has the ability and knowledge to develop skill and performance programs to deliver complete, healthy athletes. He believes growth takes place at the edge of ability and it his passion to bring athletes to that edge.
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