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In this episode, Gerry welcomes Brandon Davis, a strength and conditioning coach, to discuss vertical jump training and performance strategies. They dive into the importance of altitude drops, resisted sprints, and the role of eccentric training in athletic development. Brandon shares insights on common training misconceptions, including the misuse of VertiMax, overcomplicating jump training, and the obsession with sport-specific gimmicks. The discussion also covers how social media influences training trends, the challenges of coaching in different settings, and the effectiveness of loaded jumps and Olympic lifts.

Brandon explains why he prioritizes eccentric overload and altitude drops for injury prevention and performance, as well as his shift away from Olympic lifts in favor of resisted sprinting and alternative jump training methods. The conversation provides valuable insights for coaches and athletes looking to enhance power, speed, and jump mechanics.

All that and more on this episode of Muscles and Management!

Timestamps:

0:00 – Introduction and Podcast Recognition
3:39 – Welcoming Brandon Davis and Episode Overview
5:28 – Common Misconceptions in Jump Training and Performance
7:39 – The VertiMax Debate: Effective or Overhyped?
12:10 – The Problem with Sport-Specific Training Gimmicks
15:35 – Issues with Speed Ladder Training for Athletic Performance
17:25 – The Rise of Fascia-Based Training: Overhyped or Useful?
19:54 – How Social Media Affects Strength and Conditioning Trends
23:37 – Box Jumps for Conditioning: Misuse and Proper Application
26:23 – Why Altitude Drops Are Essential for Athletic Development
30:24 – Addressing the Fear of High Drop Landings
34:12 – Progressing Athletes to Maximal Landings and Drop Heights
37:36 – The Role of Eccentric Strength in Vertical Jump Development
41:36 – Why Basic Training Works for a Long Time in Young Athletes
45:37 – Stimulus Rotation vs. Sticking with the Basics
50:35 – Olympic Lifts: Are They Necessary for Power Development?
57:50 – The Best Loaded Jump Variations for Vertical Jump Gains
1:02:14 – The Drawbacks of Trap Bar Jumps and Setup Constraints

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On this episode of Muscles and Management, Gerry welcomes Wesley Wang, a sports physical therapist specializing in injury rehab and performance optimization. Wesley shares key insights into preventing and recovering from ACL injuries, common mistakes athletes make in training, and how to structure rehab for long-term durability and peak performance.

The conversation covers how strength training impacts injury risk, the role of mobility and stability in rehab, and practical strategies for staying healthy while improving performance. Wesley also debunks common myths about rehab, explains why return-to-play testing is crucial, and offers actionable advice for athletes, coaches, and parents.

All that and more on this episode of Muscles and Management!

Episode Timestamps:

00:45 Introduction to Wesley Wang and his background in sports physical therapy
06:10 The rise of ACL injuries and why they’re so common
12:35 Key strength training principles for injury prevention
18:50 Why mobility and stability matter in rehab
24:15 The biggest rehab mistakes athletes make
31:40 How to safely return to sport after injury
39:20 Debunking myths about injury prevention and recovery
45:05 The importance of long-term athletic development
52:30 Practical takeaways for athletes, coaches, and parents

Do you want a GUARANTEED 0.2-0.5 seconds off your 60 time in just 8 weeks... just in time for baseball season?

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In this episode of Muscles and Management, Gerry welcomes back two highly respected performance coaches, Brendan Thompson and Joseph Potts, for an unfiltered conversation on the state of strength and conditioning. The trio dives into pressing topics such as the role of social media in coaching, the rise of "guru" trainers, and the increasing reliance on over-assessment in sports science.

Brendan and Joseph share insights on in-season and off-season training philosophies, discuss whether max-speed training is overrated, and explore the importance of contextualizing KPIs rather than chasing arbitrary numbers. They also analyze the dangers of misinformation in the industry, particularly around speed development and force plate data, and how young athletes can navigate today’s recruiting landscape.

The conversation is packed with real-world examples from professional sports, including NFL, MLB, and collegiate athletics, offering listeners a raw and insightful look at what truly matters in athlete development.

All that and more on this episode of Muscles and Management!

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Episode Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction to the Episode and Guests, Brendan Thompson & Joseph Potts
3:06 The Role of Social Media in Coaching & the Rise of “Gurus”
7:14 The State of the Strength & Conditioning Industry: Misinformation & Overcomplication
12:30 The Problem with Over-Assessing Athletes & Data Overload
17:09 Strength vs. Speed: Do Heavy Lifts Actually Make You Faster?
23:26 Chasing KPIs: Why Context Matters More Than Arbitrary Metrics
28:15 Overuse of Force Plates, Readiness Testing & Tech Gimmicks in Training
35:00 The Warm-Up as an Assessment: Why Simplicity Wins
39:02 The Fine Line Between Testing & Over-Testing
41:37 The Changing Landscape of College Recruiting & NIL’s Impact
50:00 The Truth About Football Combines & Baseball Showcases
56:41 In-Season Speed Training: How Much Is Necessary?
57:46 Is Max Speed Training Overrated? The Science & Debate
1:07:00 Preventing Hamstring Injuries with Strategic Sprinting
1:10:00 Final Thoughts on Building Better Athletes & Avoiding Industry Pitfalls

Do you want a GUARANTEED 0.2-0.5 seconds off your 60 time in just 8 weeks... just in time for baseball season?

Click the link to access the Diamond Speed Protocol, a speed program designed by Gerry to get you the fastest you've ever been!

Support the show