PODCAST · health
The Speed Lab Podcast
by Universal Speed Rating
Introducing The Speed Lab Podcast by Universal Speed Rating. Hosted by Les Spellman, Danny Foley, and Cici Murray, The Speed Lab Podcast dives into all things performance to help you train smarter and play faster.
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21
Eccentric Loading and Sprint Mechanics for Long Term Athlete Development: Colby Wartman, Origin Performance
Episode 21 – Eccentric Loading, Sprint Mechanics & Building Athletes That Last | ft. Colby WortmanGuest host Darren Hansen sits down with Colby Wartman, Speed Lab Director and owner of Origin Performance in Dickinson, ND. Colby shares his personal journey through addiction and sobriety, the mentorship that shaped his coaching philosophy, and how eccentric loading has become the foundation of his athlete development system. From the TreadMetrics leg press to resisted runs and depth jumps, Colby breaks down the tools and methods behind his results — plus a candid conversation on youth athlete burnout and what college coaches are really looking for today.Timestamps 0:00 – Intro & Hero/Hardship/Highlight 3:07 – Colby's background & new facility build 5:40 – Eccentric loading philosophy & Coach Pete Leno 11:55 – TreadMetrics eccentric leg press deep dive 19:47 – Recovery, programming frequency & in-season management 22:05 – Youth athlete overload & burnout 29:23 – Sprint mechanics: negative foot speed & ground attack cues 36:35 – Colby's core training toolkit 38:27 – Simplifying speed development for coaches 41:13 – Shifting to a speed-first program 43:40 – What college coaches actually want from athletes 44:53 – Where to find Colby & wrap upIf you are interested in getting connected with Colby, Darren, and 200+ private facilities in the country - see if your facility is a fit for the Speed Lab Partnership: https://universalspeedrating.com/learn-more-partner-with-universal-speed-rating-speed-lab-podcast
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Episode 20 - Coaching Female Athletes for Long Term Health and Performance: Erica Mulholland, Author of Female Athlete High Performance
Guest host Darren Hansen sits down with Erica Mulholland to talk about coaching young female soccer players the right way: balancing skill work with strength, reducing overuse injuries, and why load management + recovery matter way more than most athletes realize. Erica shares how a meniscus tear changed her approach, what she’s seeing with ACL injuries in young girls, and the big rocks coaches should focus on if they want athletes to stay healthy and keep improving long-term.Timestamps (Key Moments) 0:29 – Erica’s early inspiration: discipline, hard work, and chasing big goals 1:11 – Meniscus tear → wake-up call on load management + recovery 4:09 – Why “skills-only” training fails young girls (and drives overuse injuries) 4:29 – ACL injuries becoming more common in young girls (and what pushed Erica deeper into S&C) 15:59 – Calling out bad coaching trends you see on Instagram (and why it matters) 48:33 – Where to find Erica / socialsGet Connected:Learn more about how becoming a Speed Lab helps you build faster athletes and a more sustainable sports performance business: https://universalspeedrating.com/learn-more-partner-with-universal-speed-rating-speed-lab-podcast
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19
How to Build Athlete Buy-In Within Your Training Facility: Matt Erdman, Veritas Athletic Performance
In this episode of The Speed Lab Podcast, guest host Darren Hansen sits down with coach and mentor Matt Erdman for a powerful conversation on the art of coaching. Matt Erdman Owns Veritas Athletic Performance and is a Universal Speed Rating Speed Lab Director. They dive deep into building trust with athletes, the power of positive communication, adapting coaching style to the individual, and why relationships—not just programming—drive long-term results. This episode is packed with practical insights for coaches, gym owners, and anyone looking to create a stronger training culture that actually lasts.Timestamps00:00 – Intro & why Matt Erdman stands out as a coach03:30 – Opening a facility: lessons learned & early mistakes06:20 – Systems, organization, and why clarity matters07:20 – Transition into The Power of Positive Selection11:10 – Coaching delivery, trust, and athlete relationships14:15 – Universal Speed Rating milestone & impact15:25 – Individualizing coaching styles (men vs women, personalities)18:05 – Building culture & uniting rival athletes21:10 – Being approachable without lowering standards24:10 – Consistency, clarity, and losing athlete trust27:20 – Coaching less, saying more with fewer words29:15 – Meeting athletes where they are mentally & physically33:10 – Creating “wins” even on bad training days35:05 – Communicating progress to parents37:20 – Building resilient athletes beyond speed & strength39:15 – Final thoughts & closing remarksIf you'd like to learn more about how to working with Universal Speed Rating in your facility, schedule a call: https://universalspeedrating.com/learn-more-partner-with-universal-speed-rating-speed-lab-podcast
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18
Rethinking Acceleration Training: Joe Pedulla, Pedulla Performance
Darren Hansen sits down with Joe Pedulla to discuss rethinking acceleration training, working with youth athletes, and practical coaching strategies for time-constrained programs. They explore how to identify athlete types, balance strengths vs. weaknesses in training, and prepare for their upcoming webinar.Timestamps00:00 - Introduction & Triple H (Hardship, Highlight, Hero)05:09 - Rethinking Acceleration: Joe's general philosophy07:50 - Teaching young athletes: Gorillas vs. Cheetahs framework (force production vs. speed)10:16 - Visual cues for coaches to identify athlete movement types16:02 - Training strengths vs. weaknesses: when to focus on each17:20 - In-season training: keeping athletes engaged and stimulated19:21 - Working with limited time (2-3 hours/week with athletes)23:40 - Sled training loads and programming discussion32:58 - Why sleds rarely make athletes slower + recovery considerations34:56 - Lateral movement patterns and "squat accelerators" in sport39:18 - Program design: subtle changes for different athlete profiles44:56 - Acceleration vs. deceleration: what separates athletes at game speed47:27 - Where to follow Joe + closing thoughts
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17
Eccentric and Isometric Training for Speed and Durability: Ryan Paul, Owner of New Athlete
The Speed Lab Podcast - Episode 17Substitute host Darren Hansen of HansenAthletics sits down with Ryan Paul, owner of New Athlete and veteran performance coach with over two decades of experience training athletes. With more than 12,000 athletes trained since 2001, Ryan shares his evolution from conjugate periodization to an eccentric-focused training philosophy centered on force reduction and deceleration. The conversation dives deep into why athletes often return from college slower despite being stronger, the critical importance of teaching athletes to absorb force before producing it, and how long-duration isometrics (up to 300 seconds) are transforming athlete durability and performance. Ryan also breaks down his unique assessment methods using lunge positions to identify sprinting tendencies and explains why training volume in the weight room should better reflect the demands athletes face on the field.Timestamps 0:00 - Introduction with Darren Hansen 0:44 - Ryan Paul's background and 23+ years of athlete development 2:41 - Evolution from conjugate training and its limitations 3:54 - Why athletes get hurt decelerating, not accelerating 5:08 - Common deficiencies: athletes can produce force but can't absorb it 7:29 - Why college athletes return slower but stronger 9:39 - Programming ratios: ~80% eccentric/deceleration work 11:08 - Long-duration isometrics explained (5–300 seconds) 16:01 - Cueing isometric lunges and assessing sprint type 20:49 - Using USR technology to validate training observations 22:29 - Redefining "recovery" and reducing systemic inflammation 26:21 - Personal results from eccentric training 27:01 - Favorite movements: Bulgarian split squats and toddler patterns 29:34 - Crawling, coordination, and cortex development 31:00 - Daily integration of eccentric training 31:45 - Results: healthier athletes, better repeatability, reduced injury severity 33:26 - Advice for coaches: match training volume to game demands 36:21 - Closing remarks
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16
Applied Sports Science Deep Dive with Marc Lewis, Director of Sports Science at Houston Texas
In this episode of The Speed Lab Podcast, Les Spellman sits down with Dr. Marc Lewis, Director of Applied Sports Science for the Houston Texans, for a deep, practical conversation on what sport science really looks like inside elite performance environments.Dr. Lewis shares his unconventional journey — from military service to earning a PhD and leading applied sport science at the NFL level. Together, they unpack how sport science evolved in the U.S., why systems matter more than tech, how to actually manage athlete load (without “doing less”), and what coaches at any level can apply immediately.The Universal Speed Rating partners with private training facilities around the country that want to improve their speed system and grow their business. If you are interested in becoming a Speed Lab, click the link below to schedule an intro call with our team. https://universalspeedrating.com/learn-more-partner-with-universal-speed-rating-speed-lab-podcastEpisode Timestamps00:00 – Introduction & context02:00 – Marc Lewis’s early life & military background06:00 – Discovering human performance10:00 – Education path & research foundation14:00 – Entering sport science before it was a role18:00 – Why sport science over traditional strength coaching22:00 – Evolution of sport science in the U.S.27:00 – Building systems vs chasing technology32:00 – Athlete communication & buy-in37:00 – Load management philosophy in team sports44:00 – Practical guidance for high school coaches52:00 – Fatigue monitoring & force plate philosophy1:00:00 – Hidden stressors in NFL football1:04:00 – Final thoughts & future of performance
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15
Challenge Conventional Speed Training with Matt Hank, Head S&C Coach at Santa Monica College
In this episode of The Speed Lab Podcast, host Les Spellman sits down with Matt Hank to challenge conventional speed training.They dive deep into acceleration and max velocity mechanics, why most coaching cues get lost in translation, and how elite speed is actually developed. The Universal Speed Rating is looking to work with more elite training businesses through our Speed Lab partnership. If you are interested in systemizing your speed training and growing your business, click the link below to schedule a intro call with our team. https://universalspeedrating.com/learn-more-partner-with-universal-speed-rating-speed-lab-podcastEpisode Timestamps00:00 – Matt’s background & entry into speed training03:50 – Why respectful disagreement moves the industry forward05:00 – Building athletes from the ground up08:50 – USR milestone & why testing matters09:32 – Horizontal force vs coaching language14:00 – Organizing acceleration in a weekly plan19:00 – Key components of an acceleration model21:00 – Assessing athletes & teaching coaches what to see25:15 – Principles of max velocity27:00 – Do sprint drills actually matter?32:40 – Strength, coordination, and late swing mechanics36:50 – Forward foot speed explained38:09 – Why flexion-based drills fall short42:17 – Why getting better at drills ≠ getting faster44:18 – What “works” vs what actually improves speed48:00 – Extension, reflexive movement, and elite sprint models52:20 – Reactive vs non-reactive athletes55:00 – Physical qualities vs coaching cues58:00 – Advice for athletes right now59:00 – Individual differences in sprinting01:01:00 – Closing thoughts on open dialogue & growth
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14
EXOS NFL Combine Prep with Scott Salwasser, Head NFL Combine Coach at EXOS
In this episode, Les Spellman sits down with Scott Salwasser, Head NFL Combine Coach at EXOS, to break down what goes into preparing elite athletes for the NFL Combine.From managing 50+ athletes at once, to profiling speed safely, to using force plates, and the 1080 Sprint to drive real performance.Scott walks through EXOS’s intake process, how data impacts programming and how low-volume, high-intensity speed work wins in the long run. The Universal Speed Rating is seeking to partner with more elite training businesses nationwide through our Speed Lab initiative. If you are interested in systemizing your speed training and growing your business, click the link below to schedule a call with our team. https://universalspeedrating.com/learn-more-partner-with-universal-speed-rating-speed-lab-podcastEpisode Timestamps00:00 – 02:30: Reconnecting, Sparta roots, and why the old-school stuff still matters02:30 – 05:30: Scott’s path to EXOS and stepping into a leadership role05:30 – 08:30: How EXOS manages 50+ combine athletes without chaos08:30 – 12:15: Weekly speed structure: acceleration, max velocity, resisted sprinting12:15 – 16:45: Intake process: PT evals, force plates, LVP testing, and profiling safely16:45 – 20:30: How data actually changes training (and when it should)20:30 – 24:30: Force plate insights, asymmetries, RSI, and individualizing plyos24:30 – 28:30: Strength profiling, OPR, and why some athletes need to train fast — and others heavy28:30 – 31:00: Kaiser squats, barbell work, and combine-specific realities31:00 – End: 225 bench pacing, combine lessons learned, and coaching takeaways
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13
Lessons From Growing A Speed Training Business
In this different type of episode, Les shares the messy, unpolished origin story: from building the first “Speed Lab” in a school closet, to testing elite athletes before the system even existed, to struggling financially while trying to scale something no one had ever built before. He breaks down how analytics, education, business systems, and community became the pillars that carried the company past 200 Speed Labs worldwide.If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Speed Lab, schedule a time with our team at the link below. https://universalspeedrating.com/learn-more-partner-with-universal-speed-rating-speed-lab-podcastEpisode Timestamps00:00 – 01:02: Why this episode is personal + hitting 200 Speed Labs01:02 – 03:40: How COVID, fatherhood, and a school basement led to the first Speed Lab03:40 – 07:15: The first athletes tested & discovering what a “Speed Lab” really was07:15 – 12:10: Standardizing speed, early testing chaos, and building the MPH database12:10 – 17:17: Building software, courses, systems — and why community became the backbone17:17 – 20:35: Burnout, overexposure, money struggles, and NFL players stepping up to invest20:35 – 24:57: Finding his role, rediscovering the excitement, and blending family + business life24:57 – 27:28: Lessons learned: Start before you’re ready & simplify everything you build
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12
Off-season & In-season Speed Training with Kyle Bolton, Oregon Football Director of Speed & Performance
In this episode, Les Spellman sits down with Kyle Bolton, Oregon Football Director of Speed & Performance, to break down how a top program actually builds, measures, and keeps speed all year long. They get into Oregon’s offseason blueprint, GPS and testing, how they balance Big Ten size with real game speed, and what NIL + the transfer portal mean for today’s strength/speed coaches. Kyle also shares what separates college speed work from combine prep and what athletes should be doing now if they want a shot at the league later.The Universal Speed Rating is looking to partner with more elite training businesses around the country with their Speed Lab partnership. If you are interested in systemizing your speed training and growing your business, click here to schedule a call with our team. Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Intro & Kyle’s path to Oregon 02:30 – Building Oregon’s offseason speed plan 07:15 – Testing, GPS, and making data actually useful 12:00 – Getting bigger for the Big Ten without losing speed 21:30 – In-season speed, “go” drills, and game-speed standards 35:15 – Fastest dudes on the team & what they’re hitting 42:25 – NIL, coaching future, and where the job is headed 55:25 – Combine prep vs college speed & advice to athletes
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11
Jordan Palmer: How To Develop NFL Quarterbacks
In this episode, Les Spellman sits down with legendary quarterback developer Jordan Palmer for a deep dive into what it really takes to build elite quarterbacks. Jordan has trained some of the NFL's biggest names - Josh Allen, Sam Darnold, Joe Burrow - and in this episode, he pulls back the curtain on his evaluation process, the mental and physical traits that separate good from great, and why quarterback development is about movement first, mechanics second.Jordan shares never-before-told stories about Josh Allen's breakthrough during the COVID offseason, what Sam Darnold learned from watching Brock Purdy in San Francisco, and why the quarterback coaching industry is 20 years behind golf. Episode Timestamps0:00 – Intro: How Jordan would develop Les into a quarterback3:21 – The mental and emotional filter: What Jordan looks for before anything physical7:41 – How Jordan assesses learning ability and football IQ9:39 – Breaking down film evaluation: Anticipation, accuracy, and spatial awareness13:43 – The Josh Allen question: What changed year over year?19:41 – Sam Darnold's secret weapon: Resilience and routine20:00 – Quarterbacks who've been "counted out" and came back (Baker, Geno, Sam)22:24 – Why Sam's year in San Francisco was more valuable than anyone realizes26:24 – The LPGA swing coach revelation: "Is everyone doing this wrong?"29:22 – The philosophy: Quarterback is about movement, not just mechanics39:57 – Physical development before technique: The missing piece in youth QB training43:11 – The nutrition gap: Parents invest in training but miss the fundamentals53:28 – How youth sports schedules have changed—and why delivery systems must adapt57:38 – Changing the conversation at the kitchen table58:55 – The lowest hanging fruit for elite performance: Nutrition and sleep1:02:12 – Where to find Jordan Palmer and QB Summit services
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10
Brian Buck: Force Plate Profiling
In this episode, Les and Danny sit down with Brian Buck to dive deep into force plate profiling, injury risk patterns, amortization mechanics, and how elite athletes can monitor and improve movement efficiency across the stretch-shortening cycle.Brian breaks down practical training application, in-season vs off-season decision-making, and how technology, bloodwork, movement data, and performance therapy all fit together to support long-term athlete durability.The Universal Speed Rating is looking to partner with more elite training businesses around the country. If you are interested in systemizing your speed training and growing your business, click here to schedule a call with our team.
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9
Ken Vick: Training Frameworks & Proactive Approaches
In this episode, Les and Danny are joined by Ken Vick, owner of Velocity Sports Performance, to break down the balance between precision and health in athlete development. They explore how overload, youth specialization, and modern training models impact injury trends across sports. From youth stress fractures to the NBA’s rising injury rates, they dive into how coaches can build capacity without breaking athletes down.The Universal Speed Rating is looking for more sports performance businesses to partner with to systemize your speed training and help grow your business. If you are interested in learning more, click here to schedule an introduction call with our team. Episode Timestamps 00:00–02:00 – Intro and overview 09:00 – Balance vs. Precision in performance and health 14:00 – Chronic injuries in youth athletes 18:00 – Can we “out-train” bad workload strategies? 20:00 – Injury spikes in NBA, MLB, and youth sports 22:00 – Early specialization and long-term effects 26:00 – Training frameworks and proactive approaches 56:00 – Data-driven decision making for coaches 1:11:30 – Correcting the NBA injury stat & closing thoughts
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8
Hunter Eisenhower: Force System Training Methodology
Hunter Eisenhower, Associate Head Coach, Sports Performance, for Arizona State men's basketball, breaks down his "Force System" training methodology and introduces his Archetype Quadrants. See how Hunter challenges traditional strength training by focusing on four pillars: High Force (deceleration), Fast Force (speed/elasticity), Slow Force (tendon health), and Human Force (fundamental movement). Learn practical strategies for profiling athletes and designing programs that optimize performance—with or without force plates.Interested in learning more about the Universal Speed Rating? Click here to schedule a short call with our team.Episode Timestamps00:00 - Introduction & Hunter's background01:06 - Creating the Four System02:15 - Fast Force: Speed & elasticity02:42 - Slow Force: Tissue health & injury prevention03:14 - Human Force: Fundamental movement patterns03:38 - Archetype Quadrants explained05:24 - Four System exercise examples1:10:20 - Case study: Patellar tendinopathy1:12:33 - Building normative data1:13:21 - Simplifying force plate metrics1:13:59 - The simplicity principle in coaching1:15:14 - Practitioners adopting the system1:16:40 - Closing thoughts & future episodes
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7
Cici Murray: Balancing Health & Performance
In this episode of The Speed Lab Podcast, Les and Cici dive deep into what it really takes to make an NFL 53-man roster — from the grind of training camp to the politics behind roster cuts. They discuss how performance, personality, and availability often outweigh raw talent, and share firsthand stories from elite athletes like T-Mac and others who’ve fought their way through the system.The conversation expands into profiling athletes, tendon efficiency, data tracking, and how different physical and mental traits shape player development from high school to the pros. Interested in learning more about the Universal Speed Rating? Click here to schedule a quick call with our team.Episode Timestamps00:00 – 05:30 • Opening banter & introduction05:30 – 10:30 • The brutal reality of making a 53-man NFL roster10:30 – 15:30 • What rookies face between college and the draft15:30 – 20:30 • Balancing health, opportunity, and the grind20:30 – 25:00 • Inside T-Mac’s training structure and workload25:00 – 30:00 • Force profiling, tendon efficiency, and athletic resilience30:00 – 35:00 • Speed mechanics, reactive strength, and acceleration profiles35:00 – 40:00 • Eccentric strength, propulsion, and elite-receiver analysis40:00 – 45:00 • Collaboration between coaches, data, and athlete management45:00 – 50:00 • Leadership, confidence, and women in sports performance50:00 – 55:00 • GPS tech, game-speed tracking, and practice data55:00 – 01:00:00 • Coaching creativity from NFL pros to high school athletes01:00:00 – 01:04:30 • Work-life balance, family priorities, and future goals
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6
Danny Foley: State Of Athletic Performance
In this episode of The Speed Lab Podcast, Les and Danny dive into the rising problem of youth sports injuries, the balance between health and performance, and why early specialization is hurting athletes more than helping them. They break down how the NFL Combine creates short-term athletes instead of long-term pros, the responsibility shared by coaches, parents, and agents, and why true longevity comes from smarter planning, recovery, and communication. Interested in learning more about the Universal Speed Rating? Click here to schedule a quick call with our team.Timestamps 00:00 – 02:22 – Opening banter and setting the stage 02:22 – 06:12 – Rise in youth injuries since 2000; early specialization issues 06:12 – 10:10 – Balancing performance vs. health; smarter stress management 12:01 – 13:32 – S&C’s growth and risks of over-relying on data 15:31 – 17:18 – NFL Combine critique; Dr. Marcus Elliott insights 23:03 – 25:56 – Longevity and dynamic athlete profiles 35:37 – 41:27 – ACLs, UCLs, and stress fractures in youth sports 46:52 – 49:52 – Advice for parents: breaks, oversight, and avoiding early specialization 53:26 – 57:44 – NFL rookies’ transition struggles and workload spikes 60:15 – 63:16 – Coaching accountability and communication 67:02 – 70:42 – NFL as a starting point, not the end; athlete ownership 73:28 – 76:03 – Evolution of strength coaches and embracing variability 76:21 – End – “Strong enough is strong enough”; closing thoughts
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5
Kyle Bolton: Training Loads & Velocity Based Profiling
In this episode of The Speed Lab Podcast, Les Spellman and Kyle Bolton dive into how athletes can unlock new levels of performance by rethinking training loads, recovery, and the role of velocity-based profiling. From balancing intent with execution to how coaches can make training data meaningful for both athletes and parents, this episode is packed with insights that bridge science, coaching, and real-world application.Interested in learning more about the Universal Speed Rating? Click here to schedule a quick call with our team.Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Intro Setting the stage for today’s focus on athlete development and training insights. 02:15 – Training Loads & Velocity-Based Profiling Why profiling athletes by velocity matters and how it can impact speed and strength outcomes. 08:40 – Recovery & Adaptation Discussion on balancing intensity with proper recovery so athletes can actually progress instead of burn out. 15:05 – Communicating Data to Parents & Athletes Breaking down “coach speak” into simple, practical terms so parents and athletes buy in. 22:30 – Event & Camp Preparation How AI tools and structured planning can reduce guesswork for coaches organizing camps and clinics. 29:45 – Closing Thoughts Final takeaways on bridging the gap between science, coaching, and athlete results.
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4
Danny Foley: Solving Problems In Human Performance
In this episode of The Speed Lab Podcast, Les and Danny dive deep into the lessons from the NFL Combine, athlete rehab, and the balance between art and science in coaching. They share behind-the-scenes insights on calf strain rehab, the role of connective tissue, the challenges of interdisciplinary work, and how to create individualized plans inside a team environment. Interested in learning more about the Universal Speed Rating? Click here to schedule a quick call with our team.Episode Timestamps 0:00 – 4:30 | Crash course beginnings, chaos, and lessons learned 4:30 – 11:00 | Solving problems in human performance & staying curious 15:30 – 17:15 | Quadrants as a blueprint for sprint mechanics 26:30 – 33:00 | Inside calf strain rehab: long-duration isometrics, recovery, and daily oversight 35:00 – 37:15 | Connective tissue vs. muscle dominance — why strains happen 41:00 – 43:30 | Why rest and separation of health/performance fails athletes 53:30 – 55:30 | The paradox of concentric vs. eccentric force 58:30 – 1:04:00 | Foot mechanics, posterior tibialis, and performance impact 1:10:30 – 1:13:30 | Leadership lessons: range of motion, reliability, and profiling 1:16:40 – 1:19:45 | Individualization within team programming 1:26:15 – 1:29:45 | NFL complexity and building continuity of care 1:33:00 – End | The future of performance, human connection, and relationships
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3
Stretch Shortening Cycle & The Role Of Pre-Tension
In this solo episode of The Speed Lab Podcast, Les Spellman breaks down one of the most misunderstood aspects of sprinting: the stretch shortening cycle (SSC) and the critical role of pre-tension. Drawing from research, coaching experience, and case studies, Les explains why faster sprinters actually produce higher braking forces, how tendons act as both shocks and springs, and why athlete development often overlooks eccentric qualities. Interested in learning more about the Universal Speed Rating? Click here to schedule a quick call with our team.Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Intro & why this topic matters 01:15 – Braking forces & the stretch shortening cycle explained 05:00 – Early coaching mistakes & concentric-only bias 08:00 – Why concentric strength doesn’t separate elite sprinters 10:15 – Hypothesis: performance = pretension + braking + transition + propulsion 11:00 – Tendons as shock absorbers & springs 13:30 – Force plates as a window into SSC 17:00 – Case study: Jacob Robinson’s eccentric RFD breakthrough 21:00 – Case study: River Cracraft tendon remodeling 23:30 – Case study: Brandon Jetter improving pretension & ground contact 28:45 – Pretension mechanics & dribble drills 31:00 – Practical takeaways from force plate metrics 35:15 – Training interventions: yielding/overcoming isometrics, reflexive eccentrics, plyos 38:45 – Programming ideas (slow, high, and fast force days) 42:00 – Redefining “stiffness” & SSC strategy 43:20 – Wrap-up, resources, and closing thoughts
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2
Ken Clark: What Makes An Athlete Fast?
In this episode, Les and Danny sit down with Ken Clark. Ken is a leading expert in speed and sprint biomechanics, serving as a professor in the Department of Kinesiology at West Chester University in Pennsylvania. He holds a Ph.D. in Applied Physiology and Biomechanics from Southern Methodist University and is recognized for his scientific research on the mechanical factors that influence athletic performance and injury mechanisms, with a special focus on speed development and sprint technique.Interested in learning more about the Universal Speed Rating? Click here to schedule a quick call with our team.Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Intro | Hero, hardship, highlight — Dr. Clark’s background 01:30 – Sprint Mechanics | Vertical vs. horizontal forces 04:00 – Acceleration & Top Speed | How forces change over distance 09:00 – Research Insights | What separates elite sprinters 13:25 – Two-Mass Model | How sprinters strike the ground 18:00 – Foot vs. Ground Speed | Surprising biomechanics 23:07 – Braking Forces | Why faster sprinters brake harder 29:30 – Tendon & Stiffness | Pre-activation and connective tissue 44:30 – Injury vs. Performance | Foot mechanics and stiffness balance 52:30 – Training Takeaways | Plyos, strength, and sprint programming 01:01:55 – Closing Thoughts
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1
Stuart McMillan: Strength Training, Braking Forces, Sprinting
Universal Speed Rating is excited to announce the launch of The Speed Lab Podcast with hosts Les Spellman, Danny Foley, and Cici Murray. In this episode, Les and Danny sit down with Stuart McMillan, Co-Founder and CEO of ALTIS, a globally recognized leading authority in sports education, specializing in coaching excellence for speed, power, and strength training, across Track and Field, and Team Sports. Interested in learning more about the Universal Speed Rating? Click here to schedule a quick call with our team.00:00:00 Introduction to Guests and Themes 00:01:08 Training Seasons and Athlete Management 00:02:00 Evolving Beliefs in Coaching 00:05:56 Complexity in Coaching Systems 00:13:12 Leadership and Complexity in Systems 00:21:00 Consulting Challenges in Sports 00:34:53 Career Evolutions and Personal Insights 00:51:18 Innovative Training Approaches 01:07:32 Understanding Complexity in Coaching 01:26:03 Book Discussion and Personal Reflections 01:28:05 Upcoming Event Highlights 01:37:21 Conclusion and Future Anticipations
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