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 - What is the hype around the knees over toes split squat with Nathan Kiely
An in-depth look at a league winning performance department with Leigh Egger & Stijn Vandenbroucke
“Activation” sessions and asymmetries: Are they really that important (?) with Tony Blazevich
#Bitesize - Operationalising GPS data with Patrick Ward
Maximising the impact of your data with data visualisation best practice with Eva Murray, Julian Haigh and Adam Sheehan
#Bitesize - Dealing with intense periods of growth and maturation in youth athletes with Perry Stewart, Jack Ade and Matt Allen
Understanding the impact of athlete footwear selection on performance and injury risk with Athol Thomson
#Bitesize - Making your CV and cover letter stand out from the crowd with Des Ryan, Chris Bishop and Dave Slemen
Sprint profiling: Why do it, how to do it well and dispelling some myths with Les Spellman, JB Morin and Ryan Grubbs
#Bitesize - Creating sprint drills that doing the cueing for us with Cam Josse
Improving change of direction ability, deceleration drills and coaching “transitional movements” with Hailu Theodros
Supplements, nutrition myths, CBD and nutrition principles in youth sport with Graeme Close, Hannah Sheridan and James Morehen
#Bitesize - The lack of value in testing change of direction with Molly Binetti
The “hybrid” S&C coach: Physical preparation, rehabilitation and data management with Jermaine McCubbine
#Bitesize - Using the weightroom to explore movement with Vernon Griffith
Managing hip and groin injuries and developing a robust injury prevention strategy with Nick Kane
#Bitesize - Developing change of direction and agility through frontal and transverse plane drills with Loren Landow
Integrating deceleration training and testing into a high performance programme with Damian Harper, Ted Rath and Mark Jamison
#Bitesize - Choosing the right GPS metrics for your sport with Stu Cormack
How the best football academies in the world develop their players with Jack Ade, Matt Allen and Perry Stewart
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Coach Carvalho Podcast
From Corner2Corner
Golf Podcast: next on the tee
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
The MeatEater Podcast