GAINcast with Vern Gambetta
277 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago - ★★★★★ - 44 ratingsAthletic development pioneer Vern Gambetta dives into one training question each episode.
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Episodes
227: Game speed (with Dean Benton)
October 18, 2021 17:26 - 37 minutes - 34.6 MBDeveloping faster athletes for team sports doesn't just mean training them like sprinters. Both sports require fast athletes, but in completely different contexts. Like anything, developing speed in a new context comes down to how you train and Dean Benton has spent his career trying to unlock the methods that can make his teams play faster. On this week's GAINcast he joins us to share to discuss the significance of speed, how he defines the key elements of team speed, and his approach to de...
226: Paralympic prep (with Adam Bleakney)
October 04, 2021 12:44 - 39 minutes - 36.7 MBThe Olympics were not only action in Tokyo this summer. Last month the Paralympics took place there several GAIN community members made the trip. On this week's GAINcast we look back at the most recent Paralympics with coaches Adam Bleakney and Troy Engle to get their impressions on preparing for the most recent games, as well as general considerations when training wheelchair athletes. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2021/10/g...
225: Training audit
September 27, 2021 13:49 - 29 minutes - 27.5 MBThe best programs have a process to keep getting better. This starts with quality debriefing, but it continues with more in-depth training audits. The audit aims to use an outside perspective to thoroughly evaluate a program so you can make objective changes and modifications if necessary. On this week's GAINcast we explain the various forms training audits can take, along with practical examples of audits in action. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: htt...
224: Injury explosion
September 13, 2021 18:41 - 49 minutes - 45.7 MBCoaches now devote more time to recovery and injury prevention than ever before. At the same time, injury rates have climbed to historic levels in many sports. How can it be that we're working harder to prevent injuries, but athletes continue to get hurt at increasing rates? On this week's GAINcast we look at how the modern approach to injury prevention might actually be making things worse, and propose some new ideas for reducing injury rates. For more information on this topic, read the ...
223: Limitations on speed
August 30, 2021 08:33 - 36 minutes - 33.5 MBWhat is keeping us from going faster? Ironically, a lot of times it is what we are doing rather than what we aren't doing. What we other think is helping our speed can be counterproductive. On this week's GAINcast we discuss some concepts that might be limiting your speed training, as well as methods and planning tips for getting faster. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2021/08/gaincast-episode-223-limitations-on-speed/ The f...
222: Olympic insights
August 16, 2021 15:04 - 51 minutes - 47.3 MBThe Olympic Games just wrapped up last week. Along with some amazing performances comes some great lessons on performance, coaching, sport, and life. On this week's GAINcast we sit down to share some of our insights after reflecting on the Tokyo Olympics. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2021/08/gaincast-episode-222-olympic-insights/ The following links were referenced in the podcast or provide some additional reading materia...
221: The principles of performance (with Dr. Michael Joyner)
August 09, 2021 16:55 - 50 minutes - 46.5 MBHigh performance comes in many forms: winning a gold medal, fighting a pandemic, or simply managing people. Dr. Michael Joyner has experience across all of these areas as a research on the limits of human performance, and the lead research on breakthrough COVID therapies. He joins this week's podcast to share some insights on the principles of high performance. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2021/08/gaincast-episode-221-the-p...
220: Love and coaching (with Jerry Lynch)
July 19, 2021 04:52 - 1 hour - 56.1 MBGreat coaches have one thing in common that we don't talk about much: they demonstrate love in their coaching. You hear about passion, you hear about drive, and you hear about communication, but we often avoid talking about love. Dr. Jerry Lynch has spent his career working at the intersection of sports psychology, leadership, and philosophy. This is where you find many of the hidden topics like love that can be the biggest drivers of performance. On this week's GAINcast Lynch joins us to sh...
219: Performance teams (with David Martin)
July 05, 2021 16:27 - 1 hour - 59.8 MBSports science has changed a lot in the last few decades. In some regards it has grown, but it has also become watered down in many ways. On this week's GAINcast David Martin joins us to discuss how teams can perfect the performance equation, get the most out of sports science, and lessons from the NBA, cycling, and even Jane Goodall. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2021/07/gaincast-episode-219-performance-teams-with-david-mar...
218: The fundamentals (with Ron Adams)
June 21, 2021 07:16 - 1 hour - 64.7 MBThe NBA game has changed drastically over the last few decades. At age 73, Ron Adams is the old guard in the new world trying to adapt classic fundamentals to the evolving game. On this week's GAINcast he joins us to talk about fundamentals, coaching, NBA trends, and more. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2021/06/gaincast-episode-218-the-fundamentals-with-ron-adams/ The following links were referenced in the podcast or provid...
217: At the apex (with Sasha Rearick)
May 31, 2021 09:11 - 48 minutes - 44.9 MBSasha Rearick is turning a corner in his career. After a decade as head U.S. men's alpine coach and two decades with the federation, he's starting a new job guiding on of the world's top ski academies. He's bringing with him all the experience and lessons he's learned throughout his career and joins this week's podcast to discuss the demands of skiing and his approach to preparing the world's top skiers. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: http://www.hmmrm...
216: Coaching errors
May 24, 2021 07:56 - 40 minutes - 37.3 MBEvery coach make mistakes, and some mistakes we all make over and over again. On this week's GAINcast, we talk about eight common traps coaches fall into and how coaches can avoid them. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: http://www.hmmrmedia.com/2021/05/gaincast-episode-216-coaching-errors/ The following links were referenced in the podcast or provide some additional reading material on the topic: Our monthly GAIN Master Class Series features speakers ...
215: Peanut (with Kristen Gambetta Anderson)
May 10, 2021 12:26 - 1 hour - 55.6 MBWe're changing things up on this week's episode. Rather than sharing a coaching perspective, we're looking at sport through the eyes of a former athlete, sports businesswoman, and daughter . . . not just any daughter, Vern's daughter. Kristen Gambetta Anderson joins this week's podcast to discuss her own under rated path through sport, her work in sports business, and provides a new perspective on Vern as a coach and father. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes ...
214: The good coach
April 26, 2021 08:13 - 48 minutes - 44.8 MBWe all talk about good coaching and see to know it when we see it, but often we are lost for words when asked to describe it. On this week's GAINcast we dive into coaching excellence by defining it, sharing examples from our own experiences, exploring how coaches get better, and looking at how different components contribute to success. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: http://www.hmmrmedia.com/2021/04/gaincast-episode-214-the-good-coach/ The following...
213: The all-rounder (with Ellyse Perry)
March 30, 2021 15:50 - 43 minutes - 39.8 MBAmericans might not recognize the name Ellyse Perry, but she is perhaps the most successful and versatile athlete in the world currently. She has made the World Cup in two different sports, and was recently named the top women's cricketer in the world of the past decade. She shares an athlete's perspective to this week's podcast, discussion her own career path, approach to athletic development, and more. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: http://www.hmmrm...
212: Speed to the max
March 29, 2021 12:45 - 40 minutes - 37.4 MBWe've been exploring speed training this month on both the GAIN Master Class and HMMR Media site. On this week's GAINcast we share our own thoughts on sprinting, including some recurring themes that have come up this month around mechanics, resisted sprint training, planning, and more. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: http://www.hmmrmedia.com/2021/03/gaincast-episode-212-speed-to-the-max/ The following links were referenced in the podcast or provide s...
211: Speed for kids (with James Marshall)
March 15, 2021 13:34 - 47 minutes - 43.6 MBIf running is a natural movement, then how come so many adults have poor running mechanics? Children can only develop skills in activities that they do, and therefore coaches and parents have to help them find the right activities that will nudge them in the right direction. On this week's GAINcast, James Marshall joins us to share his approach to coaching speed for children, as well as the role of testing in PE and youth athletics, ground-based agility, and details on his upcoming GAIN PE c...
210: Sleep science (with Pat Byrne)
March 01, 2021 11:55 - 1 hour - 57.2 MBRecently, it seems everyone has discovered the value of sleep. While we all know intuitively how important sleep can be, the science of sleep in sport has been slow to follow. Pat Byrne was a pioneer of developing sleep and fatigue programs in sports. On this week's GAINcast he discusses what we know about sleep, and busts a few myths about sleep as well. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: http://www.hmmrmedia.com/2021/03/gaincast-episode-210-sleep-scienc...
209: Genesis of a program (with Nick Garcia)
February 14, 2021 20:23 - 46 minutes - 43 MBFollowing a strength training template is easy. Taking it, making it your own, and adapting it to your program is the hard part. It's an art, and one that Nick Garcia has mastered. On this week's podcast he joins us to talk about a case study of how he took and integrated elements of the 1x20 methods to meet the needs of one sport. We also talk about post-lockdown training considerations and returning to competition. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: htt...
208: The cumulative training effect
January 29, 2021 12:25 - 31 minutes - 28.9 MBWe often think about the stimulus of key sessions or training phases. But more often than not adaptations come from the accumulation of training over the long-term. On this week's episode we look at the cumulative training effect, the role of small doses of training stimulus, and how to connect sessions together to enhance the cumulative effect. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: http://www.hmmrmedia.com/2021/01/gaincast-episode-208-the-cumulative-trainin...
207: Good reads
January 18, 2021 10:47 - 19 minutes - 17.6 MBVern is known as one of the most well read people in sport. In 2020 he ready 137 books. On this week's GAINcast he shares his favorite books of the year, as well as some insights on the process of reading. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: http://www.hmmrmedia.com/2021/01/gaincast-episode-207-good-reads/ The following links were referenced in the podcast or provide some additional reading material on the topic: Our monthly GAIN Master Class Series fea...
206: The state of sport
January 11, 2021 08:08 - 44 minutes - 41.1 MBWe're bringing back our annual tradition to start off the year with a combined episode of the GAINcast and HMMR Podcast to discuss the state of training for sports. A lot has changed over the past year, so we sit down to discuss some of the biggest issues facing sports, how things looks going forward, and what we're looking forward to in 2021. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: http://www.hmmrmedia.com/2021/01/gaincast-episode-206-the-state-of-sport/ Th...
205: Nutrition science (with Stuart Phillips)
December 28, 2020 17:00 - 57 minutes - 52.6 MB4The fields of nutrition and anti-aging are rife with misinformation and hucksters. Professor Stuart Phillips, on other hand, is the one in the background finding the real answers and doing the research. He joins this week's GAINcast to lay out what the research tells us on a variety of topics like proteins, aging, vitamins, hormonal response, and more. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: http://www.hmmrmedia.com/2020/12/gaincast-episode-205-nutrition-scie...
204: Prepare for the game (with Eddie Jones)
December 14, 2020 10:40 - 41 minutes - 38 MBTraining is about preparing for the game. It's a simple concept, but we often lose sight of that when we dive too deep into tactics, strength training, or other facets of training. English Rugby coach Eddie Jones tries to bring this concept to the forefront in his training. Everything they do comes back to the game. The structure of practice, the mental preparation, and fitness training all are designed with the game demands as the central focus. He joins this week's GAINcast to walk us thro...
203: Speed reserve (with Gareth Sandford)
November 30, 2020 09:33 - 1 hour - 65.8 MBMiddle-distance running requires a unique interplay of aerobic and anaerobic energetics. Historically, however, research on the events has centered on the aerobic side. Physiologist Gareth Sandford has sought to correct that imbalance by looking in detail at anaerobic speed reserve. He joins this week's GAINcast to discuss his work and look at how to profile athletes and develop individualized training for complex events. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at:...
202: Technology in sport
November 16, 2020 12:17 - 31 minutes - 29.4 MBTechnology has changed the world and sport over the last few decades. It has helped sport make substantial progress in some areas, but also failed to live up to the hype in others. On this week's episode we talk about how technology can best support coaching, and share examples of how to evaluate technology, best practices in using it, and more. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: http://www.hmmrmedia.com/2020/11/gaincast-episode-202-technology-in-sport/ ...
201: The master class
November 01, 2020 21:23 - 48 minutes - 44.9 MBThe GAIN Master Class Series has been going strong the last six months and we want to give you a taste of what it's about. Our latest event last week looked at reconsidering periodization, including a top panel discussion with leading practitioners. On this week's episode of the GAINcast, we share highlights from the panel discussion, as well as an interview with Professor Keith Baar, our next Master Class presenter. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: htt...
200: The first hurdle (with Steve Ingham)
October 19, 2020 12:50 - 42 minutes - 38.8 MBWhat are the hurdles we face in sports performance? What hurdles do we face in getting a job, in supporting athletes, and in moving profession forward? Steve Ingham has looked closely at all of these questions as both a sports physiologist and consultant. On this week's episode he joins us to share how he approaches these issues, as well as his new book and online community. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: http://www.hmmrmedia.com/2020/10/gaincast-epi...
199: Systems thinking
October 05, 2020 18:56 - 35 minutes - 33 MBThe best teams in the world aren't just teams, they are systems. A system lends order and structure to enable the coach and athlete to focus on the process. It provides a framework to build on. On this week's GAINcast we look at the power of systems, what makes a good system, and how systems fall apart. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: http://www.hmmrmedia.com/2020/10/gaincast-episode-199-systems-thinking/ The following links were referenced in the po...
198: Perspectives on periodization
September 21, 2020 09:12 - 41 minutes - 38.6 MBEvery few years the periodization debate heats up. Periodization is an essential component to success in any sport, but traditional approaches need to be adapted to keep up with modern science and the changing demands of modern sport. On this episode of the GAINcast, we look at our own evolution when it comes to periodization, including both criticisms and solutions to the problem of planning. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: http://www.hmmrmedia.com/2...
197: Repetition without repetition (with Grace Golden)
September 07, 2020 08:02 - 46 minutes - 42.9 MBTraditionally the rehabilitation process chases pristine movements. Grace Golden has a different approach: explore permutations of each movement and force the athlete to respond to their environment. After presenting at last month's GAIN Master Class, Grace Golden joins this week's GAINcast to discuss her principles of rehabilitation, as well as how to create a team approach to returning athletes to play. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: http://www.hmmr...
196: Performance teams (with Dave Reddin)
August 31, 2020 09:17 - 1 hour - 59.5 MBDave Reddin has helped assemble performance teams and structures at England Rugby, the Football Association, and British Olympic Association. Together, they achieved historic results. On this week's GAINcast he joins us to discuss how coaches can best work together to support a team, as well as thoughts on how sports science and monitoring can best fit into the performance equation. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: http://www.hmmrmedia.com/2020/08/gainc...
195: Role of competition in development
August 17, 2020 09:46 - 30 minutes - 28.4 MBSport is about competition. Without games or races, training often has little meaning. Sports are being forced to reevaluate their structure due to the global pandemic, so it as good a time as any to rethink what we can get out of competition and how to organize it. Competition is about more than the final score and the more we set up competition to focus on that, the better. We share some thoughts and ideas on this week's GAINcast. For more information on this topic, read the complete sho...
194: The trailblazer (with Betty Atwater)
August 03, 2020 09:51 - 52 minutes - 48.2 MBSports biomechanics came to age in the 1960s and 1970s with scientists like Betty Atwater at the forefront of this new field. A lot has changed in sports science over the last 50 years, but many of the foundational findings still hold and there is a lot we can learn from the analytical and technical processes used by the trailblazers of biomechanics. On this week's GAINcast Atwater joins to discussion some of her landmark research on pitching and sprinting, as well as the work that led to it...
193: Chasing perfection
July 20, 2020 07:10 - 44 minutes - 41 MBAs the saying goes, practice makes perfect. But what is perfect? Is there such a thing as perfect technique? On this week's GAINcast we look at technique, movement, and perfection. By better understanding what we're chasing, we can better frame and design what we are doing in training. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: http://www.hmmrmedia.com/2020/07/gaincast-episode-193-chasing-perfection/ The following links were referenced in the podcast or provide...
192: Monitoring (with Aaron Coutts and Franco Impellizzeri)
July 06, 2020 08:56 - 1 hour - 61 MBDespite recent investments into monitoring at all levels of sports, the injury reductions and performance improvements promised have failed to materialize. Why is that? On this episode of the GAINcast Aaron Coutts and Franco Impellizzeri from the University of Technology Sydney dive into all aspects of the science of monitoring: why we monitor, technology, loading, metrics, fatigue, overtraining, subjective measures, planning, and more. For more information on this topic, read the complete...
191: Teaching better (with Doug Lemov)
June 22, 2020 09:09 - 57 minutes - 53 MBWhen it comes down to it, coaching really is just teaching in a different setting. Educational consultant Doug Lemov has helped the teaching profession rethink how it can best educate students. Now he is turning his attention to coaches to see how coaches can improve their teaching abilities. He joins this week's GAINcast to discuss key principles of good teaching that can help us improve our effectiveness as coaches. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: ht...
190: The Master Class
June 08, 2020 08:29 - 39 minutes - 36.7 MBAre you coaching your athletes to be adaptable or adapted? Resilient or fragile? The adaptable athlete is like the jungle tiger that is put in an environment that requires learning in order to grow. The adapted athlete is like the zoo tiger, living a comfortable life without challenge. The environment is key and Vern Gambetta breaks down how we can shape the training environment to develop adaptable athletes in his recent GAIN Master Class. This week's GAINcast shares a panel discussion on t...
189: Finding true talent (with Paula Jardine)
May 25, 2020 08:38 - 59 minutes - 54.8 MBMany talent identifications programs are based primarily on testing, but when we look at what has worked best historically, one-off testing has consistently shown itself to be insufficient. On this week's podcast, talent development expert Paula Jardine takes a historic look at talent identification and shares some best practices on what works to develop champions. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: http://www.hmmrmedia.com/2020/05/gaincast-episode-189-fi...
188: The green zone (with Stephen Seiler)
April 29, 2020 18:18 - 46 minutes - 42.9 MBElite athletes use all zones of intensity, but what makes them elite is knowing what each zone can be used for and what doses to use it in. Stephen Seiler has been at the forefront of analyzing how elite athletes train. He joins this week's GAINcast to discuss successful training strategies for elite athletes. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: http://www.hmmrmedia.com/2020/05/gaincast-episode-188-the-green-zone-with-stephen-seiler/ The following links ...
187: Legs, legs, legs
April 27, 2020 13:58 - 44 minutes - 40.8 MBNo matter the sport or the movement, it’s all in the legs. And how you get results is all in how you train the legs. A lot of people understand the importance of legs, but not everyone understands how to optimally train them. On this week's GAINcast we dive into Vern's approach to training the legs and discuss sample programs. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: http://www.hmmrmedia.com/2020/04/gaincast-episode-187-legs-legs-legs/ The following links wer...
186: Training transfer (with Dean Benton)
April 13, 2020 16:00 - 51 minutes - 47.5 MBAn athletic performance coach hasn't done their job until you see the transfer of qualities onto the field. Rugby Australia's Dean Benton has been a forerunner in bringing new training strategies to the sport from tactical periodization and exercise classification, to testing protocols and flexibility. The one thing in common is he is looking for ways to ensure developments off the field help athletes on the field. He joins us on this week's GAINcast to discuss all those topics and more. F...
185: Constructing circuits
March 30, 2020 11:13 - 36 minutes - 33.9 MBCircuits are often seen as a tool for beating an athlete down, but when used properly they can be an effective tool for developing specific qualities. As many athletes are now confined to their homes, understanding and utilizing proper circuit construction is more important now than ever. On this week's GAINcast, Vern dives into circuit training, best practices, and examples of different types of circuit construction. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: ht...
184: Training teams (with Lachlan Penfold)
March 16, 2020 09:43 - 56 minutes - 52 MBWhen Melbourne Storm director of performance Lachlan Penfold came on the show in 2018, we focused solely on his coaching journey that has led him through the NBA, NRL, AFL, Super Rugby, Rugby 7s, Olympic softball, javelin, baseball, and much more. On this week's GAINcast we have him back on to dig deeper into his approach to training team sport athletes, including his thoughts on workload, speed, monitoring, testing, injuries, and more. For more information on this topic, read the complete...
183: From data to speed (with Matt Rhea)
March 02, 2020 14:09 - 56 minutes - 52 MBAmerican football is a bastion of tradition. In some areas, such as strength and conditioning, that can hold the sport back. Many coaches, however, are working to change the traditions and they start out by asking simple questions all over again like how do we make our players better? On this week's GAINcast, Matt Rhea explains how the forward-thinking setup he installed at Indiana University helped turn their program around using a practical data-driven approach. For more information on t...
182: Skill acquisition
February 17, 2020 13:22 - 36 minutes - 33.5 MBSkill acquisition is the science that underpins movement learning and execution. In other words, skill acquisition is what underpins sport. There is not performance without skill acquisition. On this week's GAINcast we explore some simple ideas that can help coaches improve skill acquisition amongst their athletes. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: http://www.hmmrmedia.com/2020/02/gaincast-episode-182-skill-acquisition/ The following links were reference...
181: Reading, learning, and living
February 03, 2020 11:04 - 35 minutes - 32.9 MBCoaches often aim to get better at various facets of training. One thing we forget: we can also get better at learning. On this week's GAINcast we share lessons learned on learning, how to improve what you get out of reading, and much more. We also include references to our recent books, articles, and podcasts that can jump start your learning. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: http://www.hmmrmedia.com/2020/02/gaincast-episode-181-reading-learning-and-livi...
180: Sub 2 (with Dr. Michael Joyner)
January 20, 2020 19:56 - 42 minutes - 39.5 MBDr. Michael Joyner has been writing about the limits of human performance for decades and back in 1991 was one of the first to analyze the possibility of a sub 2-hour marathon. On this episode of the GAINcast, Joyner breaks down recent two hour attempts, the role of technology in pushing performance forward, and what trends he sees on the horizon for endurance athletes. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: http://www.hmmrmedia.com/2020/01/gaincast-episode-180...
179: Bonus Episode – GAIN 2020 sneak peek
January 14, 2020 10:32 - 28 minutes - 26.7 MBGAIN 2020 is coming up in June and today we're announcing all the details about this year's event. Once again GAIN is bringing together some of the top minds from a variety of fields and sports. Listen in to this week's GAINcast for a full preview of the event, including background on all of our presenters and an inside look at what will be new in 2020. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: http://www.hmmrmedia.com/2020/01/gaincast-episode-179-gain-2020-sneak-...
178: Looking back to move forward
January 06, 2020 10:57 - 42 minutes - 39.5 MBLooking back to move forward may at first seem counterintuitive, but by looking back you can gain perspective. On this week's GAINcast we look ahead towards a new year and a new century. But to do so we first look back and discuss how we can mine our own experiences and the experiences of others to see what the future of training entails. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: http://www.hmmrmedia.com/2020/01/gaincast-episode-178-looking-back-to-move-forward/ ...