Steph Mock, Assistant AD for Sports Performance at the University of Pittsburgh is on this week's episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast. Steph traced her journey from high school sports to a collegiate volleyball career at West Virginia University. She later transitioned into strength conditioning, working at Clemson University and Mississippi State University, before returning to her alma mater. Her mentors, especially Rick Franzblau, played a crucial role in her professional development.
The discussion turns to the experience of being a woman in the predominantly male field of strength and conditioning. Steph highlights the importance of viewing the role as one of leadership, emphasizing skills such as relationship building and managing complex situations, which are gender-neutral. She acknowledges the influence of female leaders within the University of Pittsburgh, including the Chancellor and the Athletic Director, in her career development. This segment underscores the evolution in the field, where gender is becoming less of a defining factor in defining one's leadership and professional capabilities.
A significant portion of the podcast is devoted to the topic of microdosing in training, particularly its application in collegiate sports. Steph delves into her first exposure to the concept at a conference in 2018 and how it influenced her approach to training the volleyball team at the University of Pittsburgh. She explains how microdosing, or splitting training sessions into shorter, more frequent sessions, is particularly effective for in-season training. This approach helps to navigate the constraints of athletes’ schedules, including practices, competitions, and academic commitments. She emphasizes that this methodology allows for more focused, specific stimulus in training sessions, aiding in better preparation and recovery for athletes. The adoption of microdosing was already in place at the University of Pittsburgh, thanks to the head volleyball coach, making it easier for Steph to implement and enhance the practice.
If you're looking to introduce micro dosing into your programming, check out this episode with Steph.
Main talking points:
#Bitesize - How to test and train curvilinear sprinting with Alberto Filter
Optimising tackle technique and building confidence in contact with Andy Ryland
Using GPS to understand HOW someone moves, not just where they move through SpeedSig with Jason Weber
Managing and maximising the rise in individual athlete support teams with Ben Rosenblatt and James Collins
Winning the Rugby World Cup with the Springboks: A 19 year journey with Andy Edwards
Using sprinting as a movement screen with international rugby players with Tom Tombleson
Methods for testing and training neck strength with Gavin Pratt
What team sport coaches can learn from UFC about conditioning methods with Aaron Cunanan
#Bitesize - Breaking down and coaching deceleration with Hailu Theodros
The importance for mental skills training and its integration within coaching sessions with Aaron Walsh
Speed training for youth athletes with Alan Murdoch, John Garrish and Micheál Cahill
#Bitesize - What its like to lose your job in pro sport with Jordan Milsom
The 5 stages of on-field rehab after long term injuries with Filippo Picinini
#Bitesize - Choosing a mentor to accelerate your career with Nick Grantham
Successfully navigating the stages of an ACL rehabilitation with Matt Buckthorpe
Developing perceptual-cognitive factors to improve agility performance with Tania Spiteri
#Bitesize - Assessing agility in the field with Warren Young
Curvilinear sprinting: How we can test and train this unique quality with Alberto Filter
Velocity based training: The past, present of future with Jonathon Weakley
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