If you’ve ever followed an NBA season, you might think that once the regular season or playoffs are over, that the performance coaches get to take a 2, 3 or even 4 month break before getting back into that pre-season grind.

But unfortunately, that’s just not the case.

In fact, in most cases once the season is done, a whole new set of responsibilities emerge – and we’re going to lean into that topic today with my guy Erik Huddleston.

Erik is currently a sports performance coach for the Indiana Pacers. Prior to his current role, he also worked as a G-League performance with the Indiana Mad Ants, was director of performance at the one and only IFAST, and also interned with both Texas Tech and Indiana University basketball.

And in this show, we’re going to take a behind the scenes look at being a performance coach in the NBA!

When you improve how something looks and feels, but it also has transferability over to the court, what else can I ask for?

– Erik Huddleston

This Week on the Physical Prep Podcast:

• What’s new with my guy E since the last time we chatted.


• What the transition is like going from the private sector to the NBA world.


• Why ADAPTABILITY is so crucial if you want to work in pro sports.


• The biggest lessons he learned early on, and why there’s so much more to it than just coaching.


• How the roles of an NBA performance coach shift when the season is over.


• His role during NBA Summer League, and what he tries to get done during that 2-3 week stretch.


• The role consistency plays in doing your job at a high level.


• What goes into the job OUTSIDE of coaching?


• Interactions between teams, and how to improve communication across coaches to ensure athletes get the best possible outcomes.

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Connect with Eric:

• Eric on Instagram

Related Links:

• IFAST Basketball Insiders


• Erik Huddleston on the Life of a Serial Intern


• Mike Irr Podcast


• Chris Chase Podcasts


• Eric Schmitt on Program Design and Agile Periodization in the NBA

Become an ELITE Performance Coach at IFAST Basketball Insiders!

If you want to give your athletes real-world strength that will carry over to the court…

…help them build the power and explosiveness to blow by defenders or finish at the rim…

…or give them the brakes they need to stop on a dime and stay healthy, you need to join IFAST Basketball Insiders!

Each and every month, you’re going to get access to high-end content from myself and trusted experts that will help you write better programs, coach more effectively, and get the absolute most out of your workouts.

With everything from sample programs you can swipe and deploy, to case studies showing real-world results, and even exercise breakdowns and tutorials, my goal is to make sure that every program you write and exercise you coach is more effective for your basketball players.

But the content is really just the starting point, as every month we’ll have a Q&A call where you can ask me anything about your basketball players.

And last but not least, when you join IBI you’re going to be surrounded by a community of basketball strength and conditioning coaches – people who are not only doing this at a high-level themselves, but who also want to help you succeed as well.

If you’re serious about taking your basketball strength and conditioning skills to the next level, just head over to IFASTBasketballInsiders.com to get signed up.

I can’t wait to see you in there!

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Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast with Mike Robertson – your one-stop-shop for fitness trainers, coaches, and athletes.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website.

Thanks so much for your support – love and appreciate you!

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