Summary

In this episode, Kyle and Matt interview Cody Hughes, an experienced strength and conditioning coach. They discuss the importance of a gradual approach to training during the summer months for high school football programs. Cody emphasizes the need to prioritize the health and well-being of athletes, rather than pushing them too hard in the early stages. He advises coaches to focus on building capacity for work through a balanced approach to exercise selection and intensity. Cody also shares his thoughts on the power clean exercise and suggests alternative movements that can be more effective for developing strength and power. He provides insights on structuring a weekly training schedule, including the importance of sprinting and plyometrics. The conversation covers various topics related to strength and conditioning in football. The hosts discuss the importance of incorporating sprints and short sprints into training, as well as the need for adequate rest between sets and exercises. They also emphasize the importance of individualizing training based on the athlete's body type and capabilities. The conversation touches on the value of measuring power and momentum in athletes, as well as the need for transparency and buy-in from players. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of a well-rounded and individualized approach to strength and conditioning in football. In this conversation, Cody Hughes discusses the importance of strength and conditioning for high school athletes and the role of the weight room in athletic development. He emphasizes the need for coaches to have a solid understanding of strength and conditioning principles and the importance of seeking out knowledge and resources. Hughes also introduces the concept of Velocity Based Training (VBT) and its benefits in optimizing training loads and developing power. He provides valuable resources for coaches, including his website, clhstrength.com, and the Simply Faster website for strength and conditioning articles.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction of Cody Hughes

02:08 The Need for a Gradual Approach to Training

12:56 Alternative Movements to the Power Clean

30:59 The Role of Sprinting and Plyometrics in Training

34:45 The Impact of Sprints and Short Sprints in Training

37:05 The Importance of Rest in Strength and Conditioning

44:23 Measuring Power and Momentum in Athletes

53:17 Creating Transparency and Buy-In in Training

59:16 The Importance of Strength and Conditioning

01:06:09 Optimizing Training Loads with VBT

01:09:07 The Role of the Weight Room

01:13:28 Valuable Coaching Resources

Summary

In this episode, the hosts interview Scott Leech, the head strength and conditioning coach at Rhode Island, about strength and conditioning at the high school level. They discuss the challenges faced by high school coaches who don't have a certified strength and conditioning coach on their staff, as well as the importance of adapting and staying up-to-date with training methods. Scott shares his principles for training in the weight room, emphasizing the importance of starting with easier exercises and gradually progressing to more challenging ones. He also discusses his approach to off-field training, including acceleration, top speed training, change of direction, and contact prep. The hosts stress the importance of continually seeking improvement and being open to new ideas. In this part of the conversation, Scott Leech and Kyle Bradburn discuss the importance of balancing different types of training and conditioning for high school football players. They emphasize the need to prioritize acceleration, top speed, and change of direction in training. They also discuss the importance of managing practice intensity and avoiding overtraining. Scott shares his approach to structuring practices and incorporating different drills and movements to improve performance. They also touch on the use of technology, such as laser units, to track and measure speed. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of smart and strategic training to optimize performance and reduce the risk of injuries. In this conversation, Coach Scott Leech discusses the importance of contact preparation in football training. He explains how rolling, crawling, and other contact prep drills can help athletes build muscle memory, reduce soreness, and prevent injuries. Coach Leech also shares his unique approach to conditioning and the incorporation of football drills into training.

Takeaways

• High school coaches without a certified strength and conditioning coach face challenges in providing effective training
• Adapting and staying up-to-date with training methods is crucial for high school coaches
• Starting with easier exercises in the weight room and gradually progressing to more challenging ones is recommended
• Off-field training should focus on acceleration, top speed training, change of direction, and contact prep

• Prioritize acceleration, top speed, and change of direction in training.
• Manage practice intensity and avoid overtraining to reduce the risk of injuries.
• Incorporate a variety of drills and movements to improve performance.

• Contact prep is especially important during periods of time when athletes are not regularly engaging in contact, such as the offseason.
• Incorporating football drills into conditioning can help athletes develop specific skills and improve performance on the field.
• Creating a fun and engaging culture within a program, such as sharing funny pictures on social media, can help build team camaraderie and motivation.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:01 Strength and Conditioning at the High School Level

07:12 Progressive Approach to Weight Room Training

09:34 Getting Away from Olympic Lifting

11:25 The Importance of Effort over Technique

14:24 Continual Improvement and Sharing Knowledge

21:29 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

23:59 Balancing Training and Conditioning

33:06 Managing Practice Intensity

39:02 Prioritizing Acceleration, Top Speed, and Change of Direction

43:29 Incorporating Drills and Movements

46:49 Using Technology to Track and Measure Speed

48:43 Optimizing Performance and Reducing the Risk of Injuries

49:01 Introduction and Background

49:50 The Importance of Rolling and Contact Prep

52:31 Reducing Soreness and Preparing for Contact

54:53 Creating a Fun and Engaging Culture

01:00:30 Incorporating Football Drills into Conditioning

01:05:19 The Coolest and Most Unique Aspect of the Program

Summary

In this conversation, Coach Mitch Johnson discusses the concept of mesh in football. He explains the different variations of mesh, including mesh post wheel and mesh rail. He emphasizes the importance of timing and communication between the quarterback and receivers in executing the mesh concept. Coach Johnson also shares examples of successful plays using mesh and provides insights on how to counter different defensive coverages. In this conversation, Coach Mitch Johnson discusses various concepts related to the mesh route in football. He explains different variations of the mesh route, such as mesh post wheel and mesh switch, and how they can be used to protect the main concepts of the offense. Coach Johnson also emphasizes the importance of expanding on what the team is already good at and finding answers to weaknesses. He shares his experience of studying other coaches and incorporating their ideas into his own coaching philosophy. Additionally, he highlights the unique aspect of his program, which involves bringing in a military influence and promoting teamwork and selflessness.

Takeaways

• Mesh is a passing concept in football that involves two receivers crossing paths at a shallow depth to create confusion for the defense.
• Timing and communication between the quarterback and receivers are crucial in executing the mesh concept effectively.
• Mesh can be run with different variations, such as mesh post wheel and mesh rail, to exploit different defensive coverages.
• The running back can be incorporated into the mesh concept by running swing or wheel routes, adding another dimension to the passing game.
• Defenses often struggle to defend against mesh due to the complexity of matching up with crossing routes and the potential for miscommunication.
• Coaches should teach their players to read the defense and make quick decisions based on the coverage to maximize the effectiveness of the mesh concept. Different variations of the mesh route, such as mesh post wheel and mesh switch, can be used to protect the main concepts of the offense.
• Expanding on what the team is already good at and finding answers to weaknesses is crucial for improvement.
• Studying other coaches and incorporating their ideas can enhance coaching philosophy.
• Bringing in a military influence can promote teamwork and selflessness within the program.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

02:05 Understanding the Mesh Concept

07:16 Executing the Mesh Concept

10:12 Variations of Mesh

21:36 Incorporating the Running Back and Defensive Strategies

28:02 Coaching Tips and Takeaways

31:25 Exploring Variations of the Mesh Route

35:08 Expanding on Strengths and Addressing Weaknesses

37:11 Incorporating Ideas from Other Coaches

53:31 Promoting Teamwork and Selflessness with a Military Influence