Performance Health Podcast

by Tim Caron

Season 8

Scott Leech (URI) on Modern Football S&C Programming

Sign Up for Collective Membership: https://strengthtc.com/product/collective-membership-subscription/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=video_desc Scott Leech (URI) on Modern Football S&C Programming: High/Low Weeks, Roster Turnover, Testing, and Contact Prep Tim Caron hosts Scott Leech, Head Strength & Conditioning Coach at the University of Rhode Island, to discuss practical program design amid the realities of modern college football, including transfers, NIL, and shortened training windows. Leach explains how he assesses athletes’ readiness to train, uses position and relative-strength standards, and structures off-season weeks with a flexible high/low approach to manage field demands. He outlines non-negotiables such as max-velocity exposures (90%+), jump testing, and quality strength work, and explains how metric trends guide deloads and expectations across phases. The conversation covers planning from the annual calendar down, evaluating daily sessions and entire off-seasons, integrating game-based conditioning and contact prep, using GPS to validate load, and the need to keep programming evolving rather than becoming static. Leach also shares where to find him and his “Grid Iron Warrior 2.0” resources. 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:54 Rivalries and High School Memories 03:03 Hall of Fame Aspirations 03:58 Program Design Philosophy 04:40 Challenges in College Football Programming 06:51 Assessment and Developmental Programs 13:36 Training Structure and Flexibility 18:48 Max Effort Training and Metrics 22:01 Annual Planning and Adjustments 24:07 Evolving Training Models and Challenges 29:42 Facing Life's Challenges 30:26 Evaluating Training Sessions 32:50 Assessing Off-Season Effectiveness 34:49 Adapting Training Programs 38:06 Maintaining Program Flexibility 44:41 Contact Prep and Games 52:30 Impact on Wins and Losses

S8 · E6

Jun 11, 2026

56:32

Programming Philosophy, Annual Plans, and Building a Better Weight Room with Coach Devin Young (Pitt)

Programming Philosophy, Annual Plans, and Building a Better Weight Room with Coach Devin Young (Pitt) Tim Caron welcomes Coach Devin Young (University of Pittsburgh) to discuss programming workflow for group training, including how Young builds annual plans for cyclical sports like track and adapts plans for acyclical team sports like softball amid constantly changing schedules. Young outlines his process from coach meetings and intro blocks for freshmen/transfers through accumulation and intensification phases, emphasizing “low-hanging fruit” qualities (strength and speed) guided by testing, sprint timing, force plates, and isometric measures. He describes Pitt’s integrated sports science support via master’s students and walks through a typical softball Monday session from force-plate jumps and movement prep to A/B/C blocks, accessories, and cooldown. They then explore how a much larger new facility (more racks, indoor/outdoor turf, Sorinex racks) could remove bottlenecks but introduce logistical and culture/energy challenges, prompting Tim’s advice to identify constraints, request needed rack features, and “scorched earth” rethink programming while preserving team cohesion. 00:00 Podcast Intro and Guest 00:10 Products and Courses Plug 01:21 Programming Workflow Setup 01:56 Annual Plan and Blocks 04:03 Softball vs Track Constraints 06:32 Debate on Long Term Planning 08:33 Cyclical vs Acyclical Periodization 09:48 Low Hanging Fruit Testing 12:30 Sports Science Integration 14:26 Softball Session Walkthrough 18:27 Current Room Layout 19:29 Warmups And Flow 21:11 New Facility Upgrades 21:46 Racks Pins And Tools 29:56 Space Changes Culture 34:33 Explore The New Room 35:54 Jammer Arms Physics Rant 38:17 Wrap Up And Plugs

S8 · E5

Jun 2, 2026

39:20

Coach Rob Jacobs on Program Design: Assessments, Nervous System State, and Making Training Actually Stick

Coach Rob Jacobs on Program Design: Assessments, Nervous System State, and Making Training Actually Stick Tim Caron hosts Coach Rob Jacobs on the Performance Health Podcast to discuss what makes a “good program,” emphasizing the importance of selecting the right inputs to achieve the desired outputs. Rob outlines his programming workflow: starting with a neural performance map questionnaire to gauge motivation and nervous system stress, followed by a biomechanical assessment that directly informs exercise selection, splits, and cycle design, then narrowing ideals to practical constraints before later adding blood work. They unpack how to interpret failed table tests, when to temporarily correct limitations, and why changes must be reinforced with deliberate strengthening at high frequency. Rob explains balancing timelines, fixing key limiting factors, progressing load/sets/intensity, using consolidation or deload strategies when performance drops, and evaluating effectiveness through phase-to-phase testing and exercise sequencing. 00:00 Show Intro and Resources 01:07 Rob Programming Workflow 01:25 Assessments That Drive Training 03:38 Interpreting Failed Tests 07:03 Quick Fixes vs Lasting Change 11:21 Unilateral Blocks and Timelines 15:19 Balancing Goals and Constraints 16:47 Case Study Fix the Weak Link 20:15 Progress Tracking and Adjustments 23:00 Load vs Intensity Explained 24:44 Tracking Load Variables 25:49 When Progress Stalls 26:51 Consolidation Week Tactics 28:23 Sending Athletes Home 29:23 Avoiding Coach Bias 31:17 Using Data To Pivot 33:10 Modifying Hepburn Method 35:00 Diagnosing Volume Vs Intensity 38:04 Exercise Variation Strategy 38:54 Measuring Program Effectiveness 40:48 Testing GPP To SPP Carryover 43:34 Realistic Progress Expectations 44:23 Course Updates And Wrap Up

S8 · E4

May 26, 2026

45:53

Coach Alex Curro on Assessments, Force Plates, VBT, and Building a Winning S&C Program at Cal State Fullerton

On the Performance Health Podcast, Tim Caron talks with Cal State Fullerton coach Alex Curro about his programming process and department approach, using men’s basketball as a primary example. Curro explains how he starts with broad assessments (movement, body composition, strength testing, velocity-based training, and frequent force-plate monitoring) but prioritizes trend data over one-time pre/post tests to account for real-world variability. He discusses using normative force-plate data to guide goals, adjusting training based on fatigue patterns and season demands, and leveraging VBT to control rep quality and “earn” progression, while acknowledging limitations when VBT can’t be applied to certain implements. They cover managing remote training by maximizing guaranteed supervised time, keeping off-campus programs simple and low-friction, and choosing advanced methods only when athletes can execute and understand them. Curro also reflects on how being a director changes programming oversight, staff evaluation, KPI selection by training phase, and the importance of communication, translation of sport-coach needs, relationships, and winning.

S8 · E3

May 19, 2026

1:10:31

Joe Pedulla on Athlete Archetypes, Force Plates, and Set-Rep Best Programming

Coach Joe Padula on Athlete Archetypes, Force Plates, and Set-Rep Best Programming (OU Softball & Women’s Golf) Tim Caron introduces an episode of the Performance Health Podcast featuring University of Oklahoma coach Joe Padula, then they discuss Padula’s programming process for new teams by preparing for the least-prepared athlete while still individualizing through movement archetypes, body types, and simple screens like the overhead squat. They explore how concepts like infrasternal angle and expansion/compression can inform exercise selection without overcomplicating coaching, using softball and women’s golf examples and force-plate insights such as CMJ depth, eccentric braking, impulse, and propulsive power. Padula explains balancing absolute load with rep quality, avoiding compensations, and organizing athletes into training buckets while educating them with data. He details the set-rep best method to keep effort high but exertion low in-season to preserve bar speed and power, using plyos and sprinting for eccentric stimulus, and evaluating success via KPIs, health, engagement, and on-field performance. 00:00 Podcast Intro and Guest 01:06 Programming Process Overview 02:09 Assessments and Movement Archetypes 05:01 ISA Model and Sport Differences 12:45 Force Plates and Physical Qualities 16:24 Exercise Selection and Athlete Buy In 20:55 In Season Loading Philosophy 26:22 Set Rep Best Method Explained 31:14 Effort Versus Exertion 33:02 Power Expression In Season 33:57 Time Crunch And Logistics 35:15 Eccentrics Through Plyos 37:44 Sprinting Builds Hamstrings 39:54 Protecting Weight Room Time 41:22 Measuring Program Success 45:42 Winning And Accountability 48:02 Sport Specific Indicators 52:10 Self Appraisal And Balance 56:20 Closing Thoughts And Thanks

S8 · E2

May 6, 2026

56:57

Henry Barrera (Alabama Basketball) on the 3D Programming Process: Discover, Develop, Deliver

Sign Up for Collective Membership: https://strengthtc.com/product/collective-membership-subscription/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=video_desc Coach Henry Barrera (Alabama Basketball) on the 3D Programming Process: Discover, Develop, Deliver Coach Barrera's IG: https://www.instagram.com/hoopdiaries/ Tim Caron hosts Coach Henry Barrera (University of Alabama men’s basketball) to break down Barrera’s approach to program design and day-to-day coaching. Barrera explains his “3D process”—Discover (assessments like Fusionetics, orthopedic screens, and performance testing), Develop (program prescription using buckets such as build, strong, and explode), and Deliver (managing training with tools like force plates and internal/external load tracking). They discuss how assessments should inform, not restrict, training; the importance of filters and frameworks for coaching decisions; and how Barrera journals to track changes and guide progressive overload. The conversation also covers balancing general-to-specific training, building athlete buy-in through communication and agency, and evaluating success through objective metrics, athlete feedback, and availability rather than wins and losses. 00:00 Podcast Welcome And Guest Intro 00:18 Resources Books And Memberships 02:40 Episode Focus Programming Principles 03:43 Henry 3D Programming Process 05:27 Discover Assessments And Tools 07:28 Using Fusionetics In Practice 11:18 Train Anyway Layered Decisions 12:42 Develop Filters Frameworks Thresholds 15:26 Journaling And On The Fly Adjustments 18:33 Teaching Assistants Decision Systems 21:27 Specificity From General To Individual 24:37 Aligning Weight Room With Basketball 28:46 Managing Multiple Programs And Trust 32:57 Milestone Wins Mindset 33:42 Cost of Doing Business 35:02 Boring Work Real Adaptation 36:07 Extreme Focus Case Studies 38:58 Premortem Reverse Engineering 41:48 Cant Versus Wont Athletes 43:14 Programming Versus Communication 48:12 Agency Trust And Choice 53:35 Measuring Coaching Impact 55:59 Accountability Beyond Wins 01:01:30 Closing Thoughts And Thanks

S8 · E1

Apr 28, 2026

59:46

Season 7

1 of 8

Performance Health Podcast

Scott Leech (URI) on Modern Football S&C Programming

Programming Philosophy, Annual Plans, and Building a Better Weight Room with Coach Devin Young (Pitt)

Coach Rob Jacobs on Program Design: Assessments, Nervous System State, and Making Training Actually Stick

Coach Alex Curro on Assessments, Force Plates, VBT, and Building a Winning S&C Program at Cal State Fullerton

Joe Pedulla on Athlete Archetypes, Force Plates, and Set-Rep Best Programming

Henry Barrera (Alabama Basketball) on the 3D Programming Process: Discover, Develop, Deliver

Tim Caron - Start with What

Christian LaValle - Building a Brand

Jon Heck - Leaving the Team Sector

Jon Sicora - Managing