Today’s episode is the fulfillment of the last call for questions I put out on social media. In the episode, I’ll be covering topics ranging from speed training biomechanics to trunk and core training, to periodization, so this is somewhat of an eclectic episode, which is great, as it managed to tie into many of my thoughts and beliefs that I’ve done a lot of critical work on in the last few years. There are at least a half-dozen questions revolving around vertical jumping in some form as well.
As always, the theme revolves around current trends in speed and power development, so if you want to hear my 2-cents with trends in modern sports performance, then I hope this proves an interesting listen. I’m glad somebody “set me up” because I finally get to offer some of my thoughts on the single-leg Olympic lift trend that everyone was discussing on social media a while ago. Feedback on these question and answer episodes is always welcome, and I enjoy hearing what you have to say.
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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Key Questions
- The worst cues and myths in speed training and why
- Are elite athletes often good in spite of poor coaching?
- Bodyfat levels and vertical jump
- How to approach training when double leg jumping goes up, but single-leg goes down
- Improving jumping when your standing vertical jump is the same as running jumps
- Thoughts on anti-rotation and core work
- Thoughts on Frans Bosch exercises
- The ankle as a weak link, and training it properly
- Dunking vs. Plyometrics: Which is better?
- Transferring speed from the weight room to field event arenas
- Ideas on plyometrics for sprinting
About Joel Smith
Joel Smith, MS, CSCS is a NCAA Division I Strength Coach working in the PAC12 conference. He has been a track and field jumper and javelin thrower, track coach, strength coach, personal trainer, researcher, writer and lecturer in his 8 years in the professional field. His degrees in exercise science have been earned from Cedarville University in 2006 (BA) and Wisconsin LaCrosse (MS) in 2008. Prior to California, Joel was a track coach, strength coach and lecturer at Wilmington College of Ohio. During Joel’s coaching tenure at Wilmington, he guided 8 athletes to NCAA All-American performances including a national champion in the women’s 55m dash. In 2011, Joel started Just Fly Sports with Jake Clark in an effort to bring relevant training information to the everyday coach and athlete. Aside from the NSCA, Joel is certified through USA Track and Field and his hope is to bridge the gap between understandable theory and current coaching practices.
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