In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, Rob is joined by James Bunce, Performance Consultant & Owner, XG Performance. James shares his journey, starting from Southampton, where he climbed up to head of the department from initially starting as an intern in the academy, through his transition to the Premier League to develop a high-performance department, to taking on challenges in the US and Monaco. Reflecting on his experiences, James discusses the excitement and challenges of setting up his consultancy, including working on the 30th MLS franchise in San Diego.
The episode delves into the essence of succeeding in the competitive sports industry, highlighting the need for hustle, differentiation, and continuous learning. It underscores the importance of professionalization and modernization of coaching practices, alongside advocating for a focus on athletic development and player performance pathways. The discussion also covers the challenges of transitioning to consultancy roles, the value of professionalizing football environments, and the need for education and awareness in talent identification and development.
Rather than just being a bio, James dives into the detail of some key areas that he is particularly proud of during his career. He describes what the catalyst was which enabled him to transition from intern to head of department at Southampton FC. Then he answers a lot of questions on why the Premier League close to support certain rules like the necessity for BASES accreditation for its academy staff, while also diving deep into the reasons why growth and maturation monitoring is so key for the development of elite players. His time at Monaco is also an area where James provides some really actionable insights, particularly around data collection and implementing standards.
If you're working in football and are looking for insights into what its really like working at a Premier League club, a league or federation, this episode with James Bunce is for you.
Main talking points:
CBD for athletes: Is it safe and what are the potential benefits for recovery, sleep and brain injuries with Graeme Close
#Bitesize - Developing deceleration ability in the gym and on the field with Tom Dos’Santos and Alistair McBurnie
Helping athlete get fast with speed profiling: Is it a technical or physical adjustment that is needed (?) with Ryan Grubbs
#Bitesize - Managing, monitoring and preventing hip and groin injuries with Ed Gannon
A guide to career longevity - Lessons from 32 years as a strength coach with Joe Kenn
#Bitesize - Recovery in the NFL with Dave Hamilton
What speed training methods should team sport coaches take from track & field (and what they shouldn’t)? with Cam Josse
#Bitesize - The force vector myth with Dan Cleather
Isometric training; Assessments, progressions and regressions, and programming for different populations with Alex Natera
#Bitesize - Choosing the right plyometric exercises for your athletes with Jeremy Sheppard and Dana Agar-Newman
Choosing the right wearable tech for your athletes and which is worth the investment, Whoop or Oura(?) with Sian Allen
#Bitesize - Maintaining shoulder health with athletes and the ASH test with Ben Ashworth
Building a rehab running framework to maximise performance and minimise re-injury with Simon Harries
#Bitesize - What is blood flow restriction training and how can it be used in rehab with Chris Gaviglio
Building a genuine network and expanding your responsibilities to make yourself indispensable with Donnell Boucher
#Bitesize - Why and how to use obstacle courses with youth athletes with Jeremy Frisch
Research in real-life: Unravelling what injury prevention strategies really works in practice with Nicol van Dyk
#Bitesize - Identifying and fixing common sprint technique errors in team sport athletes with Cam Josse
The Nordic hamstring exercise; are they safe and effective for athletes (?) with Franco Impellizzeri
#Bitesize - Using Frans Bosch’s methods with Australia Rugby with John Pryor
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