AFL Performance Tips for Strength & Conditioning Coaches & Footballers

AFL Performance Tips for Strength & Conditioning Coaches & Footballers

Welcome to the “AFL Performance Tips for Strength & Conditioning Coaches & Footballers" your go-to resource for invaluable insights into the world of elite sports. We're here to empower footballers and high-performance staff with the knowledge and expertise needed to excel in the AFL arena. Prepare to take your game to the next level with our expert guidance. In this podcast, we tackle a range of burning questions often asked by those striving for excellence in the AFL. From understanding the distance AFL players cover and their training regimen to breaking into elite sports as a strength & conditioning coach and exploring pathways to the AFL, we've got you covered. Every Monday, we release a new episode that provides updates on upcoming live interviews and fresh insights from AFL players, senior coaches, sports psychologists, strength and conditioning coaches, sports dietitians, and other leading figures in the industry. These experts share their career journeys, success stories, and practical tips for athletes and high-performance staff alike. Don't miss our weekly live conversations on the Prepare Like a Pro YouTube channel, where you can watch these discussions and get notified about new content. For more resources, freebies, and blog posts, join our newsletter, and stay connected with us on Instagram. Your feedback matters, so let Jack know how we can make our podcasts even better and suggest the topics you'd like us to cover next. To explore the wealth of information we offer, visit our website at https://preparelikeapro.com/, and if you're ready to take your training to the next level, join our academy membership at https://preparelikeaproacademy.com.au/. Get ready to prepare like a pro and unlock your full potential in the world of AFL high performance! Also don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@PrepareLikeAPro to get more high performance value!

Episodes

#158 - How S&C Coaches Upskill Despite A Busy Schedule

December 21, 2025 • 8 mins
Highlights from the episode: ‎‎ - Why time-efficient upskilling matters at every career stage - Using micro learning to improve daily as a coach - How morning routines create space for consistent learning - Choosing online courses that actually transfer to your role - Building a focused development funnel that improves impact ‎‎ Do you have feedback on the show? We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and tell us wh...
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#bitesize - Matthew Toohey Shares Pro Sport To Private Sector Rehab Insights

December 18, 2025 • 5 mins
Highlights from the episode: ‎ - What young strength coaches should focus on first - Why private sector coaching accelerates development - Technology access and the risk of losing coaching instinct - Return to play vs return to performance explained - Common rehab and reconditioning mistakes coaches make ‎ Do you have feedback on the show? We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and tell us what you love and what yo...
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#357 - Davie Gray: Why Mindset Comes Before Metrics in Elite Performance

December 14, 2025 • 54 mins
👉 Highlights from the episode: ‎ - Why some performers handle pressure better than others - How stress mindsets shape performance under pressure - Embedding learn, challenge, and win mindsets into coaching - Simple tools to build self-awareness and focus - The real signs of low psychological safety in teams ‎ Do you have feedback on the show? We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and tell us what you love and wha...
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#bitesize - The Role of an AFL Strength & Conditioning Coach

December 11, 2025 • 6 mins
Highlights from the episode: ‎ - Why body armor and physical resilience matter - Sports science and velocity data for smarter load management - Influencing athlete lifestyle and recovery habits - Individualisation and collaboration for long-term development - Difference between personal trainer and strength conditioning coach ‎ Do you have feedback on the show? We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and tell us wha...
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#356 - Josh Ruddy Discusses from Data to Decision: How Sport Science Drives AFL Success

December 7, 2025 • 40 mins
👉 Highlights from the episode: ‎ - Why coding is becoming essential in sports science - The tech an elite AFL club would prioritise with unlimited resources - The key non-negotiables for reducing soft tissue injuries - How fascicle length guides smarter program decisions - How AI is transforming reporting and decision making ‎ 🙌People Mentioned: ‎ - Daren Burgess - Ryan Timmins - Stu Cormack - Dave Regan - Matt Inness -...
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#bitesize – Kelly Penfold on The Core Skills That Shape Great Coaches

December 4, 2025 • 5 mins
Highlights from the episode: ‎ - Starting where you are and learning the demands of your sport - Why choosing one key preseason focus drives better results - How deep learning and retention actually work in coaching - Teaching technical models that make athletes faster and safer - Training yourself to coach better and understand athlete effort ‎ Do you have feedback on the show? We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedba...
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#157 – The Complete Blueprint to Build Your AFL Body

November 30, 2025 • 16 mins
Highlights from the episode: ‎‎ ✅ How to get your free 2026 AFL preseason program ✅ How choosing one focus area lifts your whole game ✅ Why lower body strength drives contest power ✅ How power training protects the back and boosts speed ✅ What real sprint mechanics look like under pressure ✅ How reactive agility creates separation in tight spaces ‎‎ Do you have feedback on the show? We would love to hear from you. Send us your fe...
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#bitesize - Why Footballers Get Concussions: The Hidden Factors Coaches Overlook

November 27, 2025 • 4 mins
Highlights from the episode: ‎ - Why neck strength ratios may influence concussion risk - How tackle technique and developing neck strength reduce concussion risk - Why anxious athletes may be more vulnerable to concussion - What the 14-day concussion protocol actually looks like - The key supplements that support brain repair during recovery ‎ Do you have feedback on the show? We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedbac...
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#355 - Ryan Clayton: Breaking Silos & Driving Team Success

November 23, 2025 • 43 mins
👉 Highlights from the episode: ‎ - How an integrated model truly works - Why silos appear and how leaders pull teams back together - Choosing the right number of game model priorities - How preseason and in-season integration actually differ - The unpopular belief about army camps and mental toughness ‎ Do you have feedback on the show? We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and tell us what you love and what you ...
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#bitesize - Chris Miller’s Insights From Training Elite Athletes in the NBA and Ski Teams

November 20, 2025 • 6 mins
Highlights from the episode: ‎ - Asking the right questions to read a new team - Using simple check-ins to judge daily readiness - Adapting warmups across sports and time demands - How athlete behavior shapes the real team culture - Balancing tech, feedback, and KPIs in performance programs ‎ Do you have feedback on the show? We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and tell us what you love and what you think could ...
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#156 - How S&C Coaches Build Real Industry Connections and Mistakes to Avoid

November 16, 2025 • 12 mins
Highlights from the episode: ‎‎ - Why adding value first builds real industry connections - How name dropping quietly hurts your long-term credibility - Why preparation makes or breaks conference networking - When training content boosts your brand and when it damages it - The big five networking groups every coach should focus on - Where to start developing strong references early in your career ‎‎ Do you have feedback on the sh...
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#bitesize - Mastering AFL Periodization for Optimal Season Performance

November 13, 2025 • 5 mins
Highlights from the episode: ‎ - Why periodization isn’t as complicated as it sounds - Why periodization matters in AFL - Breaking down the key phases of periodization - What a well-structured AFL training week looks like - The biggest in-season mistake that limits performance ‎ Do you have feedback on the show? We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and tell us what you love and what you think could be better. And...
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#354 - Simon Jones on Game Speed – Why Top Speed Isn’t the Holy Grail

November 9, 2025 • 52 mins
👉 Highlights from the episode: ‎ - Why the fastest players don’t always perform best - How testing reveals true game speed potential - The key to building long-term deceleration ability - Simple rotational drills that boost multidirectional control - How to align speed development with coaching priorities ‎ Do you have feedback on the show? We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and tell us what you love and what ...
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#bitesize - How Alex Sakadjian Rose from Rehab Coach to Head of High Performance

November 6, 2025 • 5 mins
Highlights from the episode: ‎ - What high-performance managers really look for in S&C coaches - The evolution from injury rehab to holistic reconditioning - Why managing rehab programs builds leadership and collaboration - Building trust and autonomy within a high-performance team - How to break into the AFL as a strength and conditioning coach ‎ Do you have feedback on the show? We would love to hear from you. Send us your feed...
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#155 - S&C Coaches: How Are We Measured?

November 2, 2025 • 9 mins
Highlights from the episode: ‎‎ - How S&C coaches are really evaluated in football clubs - How players evaluate your impact and credibility - What the medical team looks for in performance staff - How management evaluates your influence and professionalism - What fellow S&C coaches value when assessing your work ‎‎ Do you have feedback on the show? We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and tell us what you love an...
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#bitesize - The Truth About Lifting Every Day in AFL: How to Prioritize Football Performance

October 30, 2025 • 3 mins
Highlights from the episode: ‎ - Why football performance must always come first - The shift from conditioning to game fitness - How to adapt strength and power around football - Common mistakes that derail in-season performance ‎ Do you have feedback on the show? We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and tell us what you love and what you think could be better. And, if you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a ...
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#353 - Spencer Goggin: From Gym to Game Speed Programming

October 26, 2025 • 51 mins
👉 Highlights from the episode: ‎ - How better questions transform athlete relationships - Why surfing challenges traditional strength programs - Profiling athletes for speed: lessons from James Wild’s framework - Rib-pelvis connection and the power of hip lock training - Co-designing sessions: how athlete insights reshape coaching ‎ Do you have feedback on the show? We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and tell ...
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#bitesize - Ted Rath Shares How the Growth Mindset and Mamba Mentality Drive Success

October 23, 2025 • 6 mins
Highlights from the episode: ‎ - The Power of Passion and Skill - Growth Mindset and Consistency - Understanding Player Motivation - Mamba Mentality: Lessons from Kobe Bryant - Leadership and Extreme Ownership ‎ Do you have feedback on the show? We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and tell us what you love and what you think could be better. And, if you’re enjoying the show, please leave us a review. ‎ Feedback...
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#154 - Gymnastics Centre: The Secret to Developing Explosive Power

October 19, 2025 • 13 mins
Highlights from the episode: ‎‎ - Why choosing the right gym center defines your athletes’ progress - How to structure exercises across different training floors - A success story on transforming performance through gymnastic centers - Inside a real sample program that drives elite-level results ‎‎ Do you have feedback on the show? We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and tell us what you love and what you think ...
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#bitesize - The 5 Phases of Return to Running Performance Post-Injury

October 16, 2025 • 4 mins
Highlights from the episode: ‎ - Why every injury recovery needs five distinct phases - The frustrating recovery phase and understanding “good vs bad” pain - What the “run before you run” phase really trains in your body - How to measure progress in the reloading phase using real match data - How high intensity actions prepare athletes for real game chaos - The biggest mistake athletes make when re-integrating into training ‎ Do ...
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