Cognition Meets Speed and Agility

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.Chapters00:00- Introduction to Speed and Agility Training01:18- Understanding Speed: Cognitive and Physical Components06:40- The Role of Genetics in Athletic Performance11:20- Training Speed: Cognitive vs. Physical Strength16:30- Injury Prevention and Speed Training19:25- Categorizing Speed and Agility Drills27:00- Coordination, Mobility, and Performance30:39- Understanding Movement Mechanics32:46- Mental Readiness in Athletic Performance36:53- Reactive Training for Speed and Agility40:46- Structuring Speed and Strength Training46:31- Integrating Olympic Lifting for Multi-Directional Athletes52:42- Injury Prevention through Movement Mechanics