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