In this episode of the Melbourne Athletic Development Podcast John is joined by Brett Robinson, the director of Viking Athletics. They discuss athletic development, long-term planning, and the challenges of working with team sport athletes. Brett shares his approach to assessing and improving acceleration in field sport athletes, including the use of sleds and wickets. He also discusses the importance of microdosing training and the conservative approach taken by team sport performance staff. The conversation touches on the technical aspects of running and the differences between track athletes and field sport athletes. In this conversation, Brett Bartholomew discusses his coaching approach for sprinters, specifically focusing on AFL players and 400-meter runners. He emphasizes the importance of teaching proper running mechanics, including dorsiflexion control, and the need for athletes to develop a strong aerobic base. Brett also shares his coaching model, which is influenced by various coaches and emphasizes front mechanics and a neutral pelvis position. He discusses the challenges of coaching 400-meter runners and the importance of developing the ability to deal with discomfort and lactic acid. Brett also touches on the process of closing the gap between national and international representation and the need for athletes to maintain focus and avoid complacency.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:30 Understanding Athletic Development

03:06 Long-Term Planning and Project Management

08:23 Challenges of Working with Team Sport Athletes

14:12 Improving Acceleration in Field Sport Athletes

18:08 The Benefits of Microdosing Training

20:41 Technical Aspects of Running in Field Sports

27:10 Proper Running Mechanics for Sprinters

29:30 AFL Players vs. Track Athletes

39:41 Coaching Approach for 400-Meter Runners

45:39 Training Model for Ellie Beer
53:16 Closing the Gap: From National to International Representation

Melbourne Athletic Development is a sports and injury management clinic based in Melbourne, Australia. To maximise your performance or optimise your injury management contact the team at www.melbourneathleticdevelopment.com.au