Lee Taft Performance Podcast

Episode 80: Developing a Speed Philosophy (With Lee Taft)

Do you have a philosophy on how you want to train your basketball players for speed? If not, it is vital to create a philosophy with skills that can be practiced daily. Having a philosophy but not building a system to work on that philosophy isn't a successful way to coach. Join me as I share mine and give your ideas on developing yours.   For more knowledge about basketball performance, visit BasketballSpeedSpecialist.com

Episode 79: Building Ultimate Basketball Speed (With Lee Taft)

Coaches must stop dominating training with conditioning. This means working in bursts of speed from 1-2 seconds, 3-5 seconds, or possibly 6-7 second bouts. Typically my drills last 1-3 seconds because I am attempting to maximize my players' speed and quickness. If the athletes are faster, they will be faster when tired. Train for speed so your players will benefit. <   For more knowledge about basketball performance, visit BasketballSpeedSpecialist.com

Episode 78: Connecting Words to Desired Footwork (With Lee Taft)

It is critical to help communicate between players and coaches - have a language both players and coaches understand. When a coach uses general words, it can often lead to a lack of complete understanding. Using familiar terms to describe the exact movement you want the athlete to complete will give context and clarity.   For more knowledge about basketball performance, visit BasketballSpeedSpecialist.com

Episode 77: Don't Tell Athletes To Get Too Low (With Lee Taft)

One of the most frustrating things for me to hear is when coaches yell, "Get Lower"! These two words can kill athletes' lateral quickness. Being low is relative to the play, sport, and individual athletes. Coaches need to pay attention to how our athletes naturally move. Simply telling all players to get lower is a great way to slow them down.   For more knowledge about basketball performance, visit BasketballSpeedSpecialist.com

Episode 76: Organization for Camps, Practices, Lessons (With Lee Taft)

If you are not good at planning, then learn it! Planning and being organized will sell your program as much as anything. It isn't uncommon for parents to enroll their children at a different school due to some programs' lack of structure and organization. Don't let that happen to you!

Episode 75: One Skill Per Workout To Increase Results (With Lee Taft)

We know better, but we want to stuff as much into a workout as possible for some reason. If you can do no more than 1-2 skills per speed training workout, your athletes' learning and results will rise. This doesn't mean you can't do many variations of that one skill to add variety and challenge learning... keep it simple, so the athletes leave feeling great!

Episode 74: Organizing for Speed (With Lee Taft)

The problem, I feel, most coaches have with giving the proper rest period to develop speed is they don't feel they can provide that much time. It's all about planning. If you know the athletes will need three minutes to rest between sprints, plan non-compete exercises like balance exercises, partner toss, and catch, quick hand drills, etc., during the rest. This strategy will help develop an ability/skill while resting- and gives the athletes more buy-in. Plan ahead of time for a proper rest.

Episode 73: Footwork Choices (With Lee Taft)

There are way too many times when we think we can decide on the footwork pattern the athlete needs to take in a team sports environment. The reality is the athlete subconsciously will choose a footwork pattern that accomplishes the task and solves the mass and momentum problem. You can't afford to miss this show - You need to understand how footwork choices are made. 

Episode 72: Lateral Run vs Crossover (With Lee Taft)

One of the mysteries of human movement is why coaches refuse to abide by human laws of motion. Teaching athletes to use the traditional crossover is an example of not understanding human motion. The Lateral Run is what the athlete does because it abides and applies the three primary laws of motion.

Episode 71: Deceleration vs Change of Direction Training (With Lee Taft)

It is essential to understand the difference between change of direction training and deceleration training. Deceleration training typically deals with stopping and not going in a new direction. Change of direction training must deal with amortization forces that position the body differently than just stopping. In my opinion, it is critical for performance coaches to grasp the concept of this topic.

Episode 70: Why is the Backpedal Critical? (With Lee Taft)

The backpedal is so critical on many levels. It allows us to have a great evaluation tool and strategy to challenge the athletes. We look to challenge the toe, foot, and ankle for the lower body and quad and hip function. The backpedal can also be intertwined with the 180 Series to challenge the body and spatial awareness.

Episode 69: 7 Movement Patterns (With Lee Taft)

This podcast is a teaching tool for the various methods, strategies, and principles I have used to build my speed and performance model and systems. Let's dive into the 7 Movement Patterns that should be the foundation for all athletic development programs. These 7 Patterns are fundamentals that allow the more sport-specific movement skill to become safer and more efficient. All athletes, ages, and abilities can and should be trained in these Movement Patterns. Have a listen!

Episode 68: Make Youth Sports Fun Again (With VJ Stanley)

VJ Stanley, Founder of Balanced Excellence, is a world of knowledge. He shares his approach to making youth sports fun again. Coach Stanley dives into how learning is not being approached the right way for young minds to develop and why pressure is driving kids away from the sport because the fun is gone. If you are involved with youth sports, I highly recommend this must-listen interview if you want happy and healthy kids in sport and activity.

Episode 67: Self- Organization (With Lee Taft)

This topic will be around for the long haul! Self-Organization is one of the polarizing topics that keep the conversation going. As I see it, the problem is we do not have enough coaches to distinguish the difference between "facility" training and preparing athletes to perform on the field and court. They want their likes to go up on social media, so they put too much make-up on the pig. You have to allow the pig to be ugly so real learning can occur. Understanding when to dig in hard and t...

Episode 66: Merging Sports Performance & Business Coaching (With Judah Boulet)

Judah Boulet brings a vast amount of experience to this week's show. A performance coach and business owner, he merged his experiences and has become a business coach specializing in helping start-up businesses find the resources that help them become successful. Coach Boulet and I sit down the other day for a fascinating conversation. I was so intrigued by how much knowledge and mentoring Judah offers to all types of business owners. This podcast is one of those you will continually listen ...

Episode 65: Cultivating a Winning Culture (With Brian Harrington)

A great all-around coach, Brian Harrington delivers beneficial advice and direction by sharing how his system works, cultivating a winning "team"- his staff, the importance of treating athletes with respect, and how he includes mentoring his youth athletes in his program. Coach Harrington thrives on being an example of how his athlete can be the best version of themselves. And, let's not forget that Brian's training strategies are spot on as well. You really must listen to this interview!

Episode 64: Real World Knowledge (With Mike Robertson)

It was such a pleasure to have Coach Mike Robertson on the show. Mike is one of the top professionals and has impacted the "game" by helping his clients and athletes from all walks of life achieve their physique and sports performance goals. Our conversations led to Mike diving into his systems, coaching strategies, why having a model to coach from is important, and even beyond. It's awesome to have the opportunity to listen to a coach with this much experience.

Episode 63: Rugby and Sports Performance (With Dallas Price)

Coach Dallas Price, owner and founder of Rock Fitness in Toronto, Canada, shares pure gold in the episode. She is a very talented performance coach, as well as a Rugby coach. Coach Price shares her passion for both, not to mention her athletic exploits. Dallas explains how she blends keeping her young female rugby players healthy while challenging them to reach higher performance levels as an athlete. Take a listen and share! Her experience and perspective will impact so many coaches and tra...

Episode 62: Redefine Your Fitness, Health & Performance (With Raph Ruiz)

One of the most accomplished S&C coaches in the profession, Coach Raph Ruiz shares his methods and concepts behind his training methods. I have followed Coach Ruiz for years, and he inspires me to challenge my thinking of why I do what I do. Make sure you take the time to listen with a notebook in-hand. Taking notes is a must!

Episode 61: How to Building a Solid Online Business from the Ground Up (With Matt Lachine)

Coach Matt Lachine shares in great detail how he has grown a strong training business specializing in hockey and tennis - during the pandemic! Matt decided to adapt and pivot his business during these crazy times. The result was a strong online training program that helped his athletes stay strong, fast, and safe. Matt also talks about the huge importance of being a mentor and guiding these athletes down the right path.

Episode 60: Decision-Making Drives Coaching (With Casey Wheel )

If you don't know who coach Casey Wheel is, you definitely don't want to miss this show. He is such a talented performance coach with a great vision of what training should be. In this podcast, we dive deep into movement and agility. Casey discusses how he places his athletes in a position where decision-making drives his coaching. He reads what they do, makes adjustments based on his system, and gives the athlete the proper correctives. I guarantee you won't want to miss this episode!

Matt Lachine

Coach Matt Lachine was amazing! He shared great details about how he has grown a strong training business in Hockey and Tennis. Matt created, I should pivoted, so well during the pandemic and build a strong online training program to help his athletes stay strong, fast, and safe. Mat also talked about the importance of being a mentor and helping guide these athletes down the right path. What a great interview! 

Episode 59: Keeping the Taft Name Alive in Sports Performance (With Jen Taft)

What an honor for me to have Jen Taft, Associate Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at St. Louis University! And of course, super honored because she is my niece and keeping the Taft sports name alive and well! Jen shares such a great story of perseverance as she chases her dream in strength and conditioning. She also talks about how she has handled Covid with her athletes and also dove into programming.

Episode 58: Compound Performance (With Kyle Dobbs)

A homerun show! Kyle Dobbs is one of the best performance professionals and business mentors I have ever met. Coach Dobbs delivered so much impactful information into this episode - this is a multiple-time listen. He shares many topics - from the behavioral aspects of performance to the body's positions that cause a specific effect, and he even touched on how to better build a business. Truly an interview you cannot afford to miss! 

Episode 57: Posture and Position (With Dr. Michelle Boland)

This week's show is a must-listen! Dr. Michelle Boland explains in-depth her 5-principles for coaching, which are so important on many levels. She discusses the importance of having a coach and mentor for support towards your reaching goals. Michelle dives deep into how posture and position dictate function and how to apply both to acceleration or deceleration- with many fantastic examples.

Episode 56: MVP Academy (With Joshua Martin)

Coach Joshua Martin of MVP Academy in Kapaa, Hawaii, shares his unique academy and how he develops youth athletes' to reach beyond their athletic potential. This interview will give you a totally different perspective as to our purpose as coaches. Joshua's heart is all about helping these athletes become better people as well as healthier athletes. He uses foundational principles to teach them about movement and the body.

Episode 55: Coaching Middle School Athletes (With Jeff Fellure)

Jeff Fellure of Fellure Sports Performance enlightens us about the importance of training middle school athletes the proper way from the start. He talks about how important it is for the MS athlete to learn appropriate lifting and running/movement mechanics. Jeff also dives into how to train correctly now, during Covid, to stay athletic and safe when sports and activities resume. He shares a unique program he has developed for the MS athlete to do while at home.

Joshua Martin- MVP Academy

Coach Joshua Martin of MVP Academy in Kapaa, Hawaii shares is very unique MVP Academy and how he helps tons of youth athletes reach their athletic potential. This interview will give you a totally different perspective as to our purpose as coaches. Joshua's heart is all about helping these athlete become better people as well as athletes. He uses foundational principles to help them learn about movement and the body. Fascinating interview!

Jeff Fellure- Coaching Middle School Athletes

Jeff Fellure of Fellure Sport Performance does a great job talking about the importance of training middle school athletes the proper way from the start. He talks how important it is for the MS athlete to learn proper lifting and running/movement mechanics. Jeff also dives into how to train properly now, during Covid to stay athletic and safe for when sports and activities do resume. Jeff shares a very unique program he has developed for the MS athlete to do while at home. Great show! 

Episode 54: Power of Online Training Done Right (With Courtney Delks & James Lujan)

Courtney Delks and James Lujan break down the power of training athletes online using a specific model. During this time of Covid19, they each share their perspective on how athletes need to stay strong, fast, and athletic and using an online model. Courtney talks about how important it is for athletes to develop a powerful mindset of not making excuses. James dives into how athletes can stay quick and athletic by performing specific and general footwork drills to stay on top of their speed.

Episode 53 Breakthroughs with Breathing and How it Supports Performance (With Dr. Andy Galpin)

Dr. Any Galpin shares his knowledge and experience on breakthroughs with breathing and how it can positively support performance in athletes and clients. Dr. Galpin also tells his thoughts on deceleration and its impact on connective tissue. There are a lot of take-a-ways you won't want to miss!

Episode 52 Integrated Cient-Centered Model (With Dr. Ryan Chow)

Don't miss out as Dr. Ryan Chow walks us through his integrative client-centered model, how he deals with movement solutions to help clients learn, his description of proper form and function, and how he prescribes sets and reps to benefit the client. Man, does this guy know his stuff! 

Episode 51 Large Group College Training (With Cameron Josse)

This episode is with one of the most exciting young coaches who has made a tremendous impact on the private sector and is now leaving his mark with a Division 1 football team. Cameron Josse shares what it is like dealing with larger groups at the college level, how sprinting is so impactful for performance, and so many other knowledgeable aspects of training athletes. Your going love this interview!

Episode 50 Let's Talk Sprinting (With Jonas Dodoo)

Jonas Dodoo is one of the premier sprint coaches in the world delivered loads of amazing information during this podcast. He went deep into the phases of acceleration, why foot position, ankle stiffness, and timing are critical parts of being great at accelerating and staying healthy. And, he didn't stop at just these topics. Jonas delivered a lot of useful golden nuggets!

Episode 49: S&C in a Large High School (With Garrett Buschjost)

Garrett Buschjost shares his process of being a strength and conditioning coach in a large high. He breaks down his system, programming, and scheduling. This isn't always an easy job, but he explains it in such a wonderful way for you to understand the process. Garrett is an outstanding young coach on the road to a building a very successful program. 

Episode 48 What's Up With Jimmer Fredette

This is one of my favorite interviews on many levels. Jimmer, AKA my nephew, shares what he is doing during Covid-19 and what his training regimen is. He also discusses what the NBA, Euroleague, and China are like and how he has adapted his training to fit his body as he becomes older. 

Episode 47: Up Close and Personal with The Speed Guy's Daughters ( With Jae and Bailee Taft)

Spent a few minutes with a couple of female basketball players who happen to share my last name. I decided to inviting my two daughters, and point guards, to take a few minutes to about how it was playing for their dad. You will be surprised at what they revealed. They shared an up close and personal account of their experience training with their dad and the impact it had on some of their other coaches. A very special interview you won't want to miss!

Episode 46: Posture and Position (With Diane Vives)

Diane Vives is one of the great instructors in the fitness progression. She will breakdown the importance of posture and position as it relates to sound and safe movement. Diane talks about the importance of having a screening system like the FMS to give opportunities to improve movement and performance. Must listen!

Episode 45: Hi-Lo System and Importance of Aerobic Capacity (With Mike Tucker)

What a honor to have a very talented young strength coach share his speed development program. Mike Tucker is a strength coach at Villinova University and is doing some amazing work with his athletes. Listen as he breaks down the Hi-Lo system, why aerobic capacity is important, and how he uses change of direction and agility training when training athletes.

Episode 44: How Strength Changes Makes a Difference (With Jeremy Hartman)

Jeremy Hartman, one of the top power lifting coaches, shares how he uses strength training to change athletes and programs all the way from the youth to elite level athletes. A great example of how strength training can make the difference in the success of athletes. 

Episode 43: Using Diverse Knowledge to Improve Performance (With Ryan Hopkins)

One characteristic of great coaches is the willingness to devote large amounts of time to learning and always striving to be better. Ryan Hopkins, owner of Soho Strength Lab, is the perfect example of that. Listen to his diverse knowledge and how he uses it to improve the performance of his clients!

Episode 42: Importance of Foundational Movement (With Zach Dechant)

One of the best baseball strength coaches, and creator of the book Movement over Maxes, Zach talks about how important the foundation of movement must be to advance to later stages of development. 

Episode 41 Analyze and Correct Biomechanics (With Loren Landow)

The head strength and conditioning coach for the Denver Broncos and owner of Landow Performance stopped by to deliver a clinic! Coach Loren Landow is highly sought after for his ability to analyze and correct biomechanics. In this podcast, he share so much gold that you will have pages full of notes. Listen in as coach talks about the foot, position dictating function, and so much more. 

Episode 40 Sound Coaching Principles (With Vince McConnell)

Vince McConnell is one of the most experienced and intelligent coaches I have had the privilege to  interview. Coaching since the early 80's, his experience and use of sound principles are so evident. You will gain so much from hearing what Vince has to share.  

Episode #39 How to Create a System of Managing Large Groups (With Bobby Smith)

Bobby Smith is one of the best at creating a system that allows large groups of athletes to be trained seamlessly. Listen as coach Smith addresses how they built their training facility to mange large numbers of athletes while still giving individual attention. 

Episode 38: Inspiring Young Soccer Players On and Off the Field (With Erica Suter)

It is incredible to have such a high quality coach working with our youth. Erica is a great soccer skills coach and S&C coach, but more importantly a mentor for our youth. Listen how she inspires her young female athletes to be empowered as people and great athletes. 

Bonus Episode: Movement Foundations (With Team Resilient Performance)

Episode 37: Spot on Points to Help You Understand Your Nutrition (William Maloney)

Nutrition is one of those topics that can confuse people, but in this show, William Maloney absolutely makes spot on points to help us all understand it better. William goes into meal prep, pre and post workout nutrition, adult changes, supplemental nutrition, sugar.... Amazing show!

Episode 36: Stories & Concepts on How to be the Best Coach (With Martin Rooney)

One of the most inspirational presenters and coaches in the profession! Martin shares tremendous stories and concepts to drive home important points around being the best coach you can be, no matter if you are a parents, teacher, doctor, or sport coach. This is going to change lives! 

Episode 35: Developing Multi-Directional Power (With Jason Feairheller)

What an awesome look into how coach Jason Feairheller focuses on developing multi-directional power in his athletes. He points out the very key points that make that happen, but using proper progressions and putting an emphasis on ground reaction force.