Dr. Brett Scott talks with strength coach Jason Feairheller about what truly makes athletes fast—blending cognitive reaction with physical capacity—covering multidirectional power, change-of-direction mechanics, smart drill progressions, strength pairing, rehab considerations, and practical programming.
Takeaways:
Speed involves both cognitive ability and physical capacity.
Genetics can influence top-end speed but not overall performance.
Cognitive training can improve an athlete's reaction time.
Injury prevention strategies are essential in speed training.
Mobility and coordination are critical for effective speed training.
Reactive drills should be a significant part of training.
Strength training should complement speed work for optimal performance.
Understanding movement mechanics is vital for injury prevention.
Athletes should be assessed through every drill they perform.
A structured training program is necessary for improving speed and agility.
Chapters
00:00- Introduction to Speed and Agility Training
01:18- Understanding Speed: Cognitive and Physical Components
06:40- The Role of Genetics in Athletic Performance
11:20- Training Speed: Cognitive vs. Physical Strength
16:30- Injury Prevention and Speed Training
19:25- Categorizing Speed and Agility Drills
27:00- Coordination, Mobility, and Performance
30:39- Understanding Movement Mechanics
32:46- Mental Readiness in Athletic Performance
36:53- Reactive Training for Speed and Agility
40:46- Structuring Speed and Strength Training
46:31- Integrating Olympic Lifting for Multi-Directional Athletes
52:42- Injury Prevention through Movement Mechanics