Optimal Athletic Performance Consulting

Link to join our Summer Speed Academy. Ages 10 and up. Will start May 6 and run into early August

I will run 2 sessions a week, probably on Monday and Thursday. After sundown or at dusk. We’ll meet at McClellan Aquatic Center Track.

I may open up a Saturday morning session as well, if there is demand.

Sessions are $20. Athletes are not required to attend all sessions, although I suggest as many as possible. The speed science research is clear … twice a week, as fast as possible, as fresh as possible.

Group is open. You are welcome to share.

Video based assessments are available for additional fee. Inquire if interested

You can send questions to me directly at 256-283-7033

2024 Summer Speed Academy

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1ZvM8J7tHUNnHOQvXK1M25VJPl6-qPfV7hPOFZQZV5qlvzll5wKVGjs5s_aem_AWBtppH95HpoqZfJUAduMQYALY4gthpnvQmIHPJvg12Mn0peJ8RQEiyyyWNsrpGLEvI&si=NART_pJs-BONJ4fN&v=6-d2_h1TKw0&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

Creating Better Athletes by CNS Training | Sprinting is Crucial (The Les Spellman Podcast) Creating Better Athletes by Sprint Training | CNS Training is Crucial (The Les Spellman Podcast)Get certified by the Universal Speed Rating & start building ...

We’ll get going Labor Day week

I’m undecided on the schedule, but am thinking about Sunday afternoons and Thursday evenings

Private training is negotiable

I am also now doing “High Speed Movement Screens”. This is a Biomechanical Assessment of sprinting to identify power leaks, potentially problematic asymmetries, and positional faults that limit maximal velocity production. I am excited about this new tool I’ve created and feel it has tremendous value for young athletes.

Power leaks are identified and corrective actions are prescribed. I believe this to be a requisite step in the journey to speed development.

I cannot share example videos of minors on this forum, but will be glad to privately share more information for those interested.

This does not require in person assessment, although that is negotiable. Video can be captured and shared remotely.

The more assessments I am doing, the more convinced I am of this vital piece of data. Power leaks in sprinting economy must be first observed, and then properly explained to athletes for buy in. And corrective strategies must match individual need. Otherwise programming is generic and results are not optimal.

Contact me if you’re ready to get into the weeds with your long term athletic development

I’m now able to offer mobile RPR assessments. This is a powerful tool that I cannot recommend strongly enough for all athletes.

The simplified explanation = identify muscle group patterns that have ”the lights turned off”. Could be past injury, could be cumulative stress. These deactivated muscles become stress risers and both injury risk and performance limiters.

I believe this to be a baseline tool that all athletes should submit to. Message me with questions or to schedule.

What is RPR® — REFLEXIVE PERFORMANCE RESET Your body has two priorities: to breathe and to move. To perform at our best, we need to do both properly. In a world of constant stress, our bodies find a way to meet those priorities by creating harmful compensation patterns.

The CNS (central nervous system) requires regular activation to maintain maximal velocity gains acquired thru training.

How regular? The evidence says at least once every 7 days. 3-4 maximal effort sprints lasting less than 7 seconds.

Optimized in spikes on track with accurate timing. But doesn’t have to be.

Accessibility to athletes has been a barrier I’ve been contemplating for quite some time now. Today’s athlete has a lot of buckets to fill … especially the multi sport high school athlete. Or year round specialized athlete. I have met few who are ”filling the speed bucket”. The same can be said for movement competency.

As I have thought about this, and studied various models, my current thoughts are this:

Regular participation in a well designed maximal velocity program is ideal. 12 months out of the year.

Very few athletes have access to a speed coach AND the ability or willingness to remove part of their training for supervised speed work.

I believe though that an alternative option is working remotely with a speed coach to design a program. What if you had access to a coach who would evaluate sprint mechanics, prescribe corrective drills, and write a program that you independently carry out?? This could easily be done with an iPhone and an initial investment in a personal timing device.

My thought is that many athletes on the fringe might be more open to a remote access coach vs 1-2 weekly visits with a coach they may not even have in their town.

🤷‍♂️ that’s what I’m thinking and that’s what I’m kinda rolling out there. I’d love to see some public debate on this

My summer speed academy is at the halfway point. The data has been consistent with published research … athletes “new” to sprint training gain 1-2 MPH in maximal velocity over 8 weeks of training. “Training” is defined as twice weekly exposure to maximal effort sprinting of less than 7 seconds, accurate timing and reporting of results, identification of mechanical inefficiencies and corrective drills, and developing ground contact stiffness via single leg strength and power.

Photos shared with permission of one of our guys that has touched 20 MPH and is a pretty athletic dude. Video assessment shows multiple power leaks that if corrected with markedly elevate his ceiling.

I’ll be finishing the summer Academy in early August and will begin Fall Academy the week of Labor Day.

Message me please at 256-283-7033 or via Messenger to onboard or with questions.

Coaches interested in team speed camp are encouraged to contact me. This is a new product line to our menu that will roll out mid July.

We will come to you and provide a 90 minute speed development curriculum. While initial training and individual athlete timing will be provided, the primary goal is educating coaches on how to implement long term speed development as part of their season long plan.

Speed grows like a tree … slow and steady as part of a long term athletic development model.

Contact us through messaging or via text at 256-283-7033 with questions or to schedule a camp. Pricing will be based on group size and location

Speed development is not simple recipe.

It takes commitment to the process. It requires a willingness to do less. And it absolutely requires an understanding of what YOU need. Athletes have different needs.

Speed acquisition is a combination of parents (genetic code), positions (proper postures and limb alignment), power (rapidly delivering high forces in the proper directions without positional collapse) and practice (hardwiring the nervous system for really fast movement). The 4 P’s of speed development.

IMO … those who are truly seeking speed must submit to a year round long term athletic development plan. And that plan should consist of : regular max velocity sprinting in a fresh state, routine Biomechanical Assessment via video analysis by a trained movement specialist, corrective exercise and focused drill work to build and reinforce proper postures and positions, and a well designed strength and power program.

Maximal velocity is king.

Please don’t mistake agility ladders and gassers with the team for speed development. It’s not.

You don’t even really have to see a speed coach regularly. Today’s technology allows the Biomechanical part to be done remotely. Program design can likewise be done remotely.

With some reasonable investment in timing technology and a pair of sprint spikes, good advice, and a commitment to the plan … athletes can self execute a plan.

Truths

Why Speed Training (CNS Training) is a Priority for ALL Sports Why Speed Training, also know as CNS Training, is a priority for all Sports. What Does a Performance Day Look Like? Speed Reserve & Sprint Capacity. Never Dr...

While my coaching is still a work in progress and I have MUCH to still learn … social media has created an endless supply of performance advisors. I want to urge those who follow this page to not get lost in those weeds. Some advice is on point. Much of it is not.

Be careful whose counsel you are submitting to

Who wouldn’t want to receive the gift of speed??

I have eGift Cards available. This would be a good way to introduce that friend who may be on the fence about speed training … or other performance training.

You can message me if interested or to purchase your gift card.

In terms is speed development, it is easy to get lost in the weeds. While “speed exercises / drills” have value … the BEST way to develop speed it to sprint maximally as often as the body allows (2-3 times a week). That doesn’t need to be complicated or time intensive. I have found through repetition that this works best when timed and recorded. AND is supplemented with video based assessment of form and individualized corrective work to address those areas where movement error produces leakage of power

Our summer speed academy will launch the week of May 28th.

Two max velocity session offerings weekly x 8 weeks. Those sessions will take place at McClellan Aquatic Center track and will be evening hours in an attempt to minimize heat exposure. Adjustments will be made as necessary in extreme heat situations.

Sessions last 1 hour.

Athletes will be trained in acceleration and max velocity sprinting mechanics to build top end speed. Research and anecdotal evidence reveals that max velocity sprinting improves multi directional acceleration and change of direction agilities.

Video analysis will be used. We also follow a system of record, rank, and publish popularized by renowned track coach Tony Holler. I have found this system to be very effective in building speed when athletes submit to regular sessions.

Message me if you are interested in participating

256-283-7033 or via Messenger. I will build an announcement GroupMe for all participants

I’m looking for about 15 area athletes who are interested in committing to speed development over the summer months. My speed academy will consist of 2 coached maximal velocity sessions a week, in combination with strength training guidance.

If you are interested, please message me directly. I’ve decided to cap the academy at 15 athletes so that I can deliver the highest possible quality of coaching for them.

Minimum age of 12

I should have some time Sunday afternoon for RPR Assessments or MaxV/Sprint Assessments

By appointment

Message me to schedule or with questions

I’m free Sunday afternoon for performance RPR assessments or Sprint assessment. By appointment

The benefits of RPR go way beyond performance upticks. I actually believe the vast majority of soft tissue injuries can be both explained and armored against with a thorough assessment and directed RPR wake up drills.

At our core, we are hardwired for survival (efficiency of movement … not necessarily powerful movement). This often leads to neurological compensations in what muscles are recruited to stabilize the system AND function as prime movers. These compensations become the new normal and lead us down the path that often leads to injury and just not moving well.

I cannot urge readers strongly enough … this is something you want in your life. Please contact me to arrange your assessment. I am seeing not just athletes with long-standing muscle pulls responding well … I am also seeing middle aged individuals with years of chronic spine pain and dysfunction “fixed” by simply resetting specific muscles that have been inhibited for years by pain.

Preventative Benefits of Reflexive Performance Reset We explore a new and potentially beneficial practice of Reflexive Performance Reset with the aid of Neuqua Valley Track and Field Coach, and RPR Specialist, ...

I’m available for a few RPR sessions tomm (Sat). Message me to book

I‘m taking a limited number of appointments for RPR this Saturday (2/4). Takes about 45 minutes.

These assessments are helpful not just for people having issues (muscle pulls, recurring joint sprains, back/neck pain, etc…), but also athletes just looking for a movement edge.

Message me if you’d like a spot

I’m fascinated to discover the depth in level 2. Level 1 is already a game changer.

I truly believe that every athlete … every person who moves … that submits to this assessment will be glad they did. Compensations in movement patterns are for the most part unrecognizable to their host.

Give this a look. I urge you

Had the opportunity today to perform RPR assessment on a few of my longstanding performance clients.

I continue to be amazed by the power of this tool to:

1) identify weaknesses in movement skills
2) immediately correct those weaknesses
3) empower the athlete to drill that correction daily for a cumulative effect change in movement patterns

This is more than an athletic performance tool. The value in injury prevention is undeniable and too great to not be doing this.

I’ll be doing a few RPR assessments and training tomm afternoon. By appointment. I can’t recommend this enough

I’ve tried multiple different pitch phrases here. None express how strongly I feel about this.

RPR is a foundational piece of the human movement puzzle. I’m so thankful that I was introduced to this method by some crazy smart and successful coaches. I’m on a deep dive and am amazed by the powerful results I’m seeing with my patients and clients.

It’s game changing

Maximal human performance happens when we are able to respond immediately to the specific demands placed upon us.

One of the lessons I’ve learned many times over in my 30 years of practice is that our bodies keep score of how we experience the world. The avoidance of pain … just like love, food, water and shelter … are basic human needs that we are hardwired to protect at all costs. Tension and compensation patterns in movement are the cumulative effect. And these compensations seek to develop stability where it has been lost … and until the “threat” is removed from the system, these compensations become our new normal way of moving.

Over the years I have seen, learned, and implemented numerous strategies to attack dysfunctional movement patterns, injuries, and performance. None of these systems are wrong or unhelpful … they just were not complete.

Reflexive Performance Reset, I believe, is the next big horizon for injury prevention, rehabilitation, and performance.

“RPR is sophisticated enough that it can explain almost every non contact injury you ever seen and help them from happening again. At the same time, RPR is simple enough that a 10 year old can use it”

As I have undergone my training in RPR, one of the facets that impresses me the most (aside from it’s IMMEDIATE improvements in movement quality) is that the system is easily learned by the individual, empowering them to self care for a life time.

I could really go on and on. But for now, I’ll share a 5 minute testimonial below and urge those who’ve read this far to give it a watch. This is going to be a game changer for my patients and performance clients.

I will immediately begin offering RPR instruction by appointment … to individuals, small groups, or teams.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=C9T7Z7qLEO0