283: The Future of VBT: Why It’s More Than Just a Training Tool

This week on the Science for Sport Podcast, host Richard Graves sits down with Nathan Spencer, Strength & Power Coach at the St. George Illawarra Dragons and former NBA Performance Coach with the Orlando Magic.

With over 15 years in high-performance sport, Nathan shares his unique journey from the pathways of Australian rugby league to the courts of the NBA, and now back to the NRL. The conversation dives deep into velocity-based training (VBT), practical insights into using data in elite environments, and the importance of education and context when applying technology in sport.

Whether you’re a coach, sports scientist, or performance professional, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways and thought-provoking discussions about how to truly leverage tech and data to improve athlete performance.

What you’ll learn in this episode

• How Nathan transitioned from rugby league to the NBA and back, and what he learned in the process


• The real-world application of velocity-based training (VBT) in different sports, from basketball to rugby league


• Why context and interpretation matter more than the tech itself


• Lessons from managing high-performance environments through challenges like COVID and condensed seasons


• How to educate and upskill coaches to make better, data-driven decisions


• Emerging trends in VBT and where the technology is headed


• Insights into Nathan’s upcoming VBT course with Science for Sport, designed to help coaches apply these principles in their own environments

About Nathan Spencer

Nathan Spencer is an experienced Strength & Power Coach with a global career spanning rugby league, basketball, and elite sport. He has:

Worked with NRL clubs, the NBL, and spent four years with the Orlando Magic in the NBA

A Master’s in High Performance Sport and a current PhD candidate researching coach mentorships

A passion for educating and upskilling coaches, helping practitioners make better, context-driven decisions in their environments

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