214 - Nick Shedd - Preparing the Boston Red Sox for a 162 season before the playoffs

1:08 -Insights on Sports and Personal Experiences

Michael Wright and Nick Shedd engage in a conversation about their sports backgrounds, with Nick recalling a cherished memory of hitting a double in baseball as a child. They discuss the challenges of maintaining high performance in sports, referencing players like Cal Ripken Jr. and Aldous Chapman, and the mental resilience required to succeed at elite levels.

10:48 -Discussion on Competitiveness in Sports

Nick Shedd discusses the mindset of competitive athletes, using Tim Duncan as an example of someone who balances a relaxed personality off the field with intense competitiveness on it. He believes that the essence of sports is to focus on the main objective, which is to score and prevent the opponent from scoring, regardless of style. Michael Wright echoes this sentiment, admiring Duncan's ability to remain calm while being a relentless competitor.

13:12 -Overview of Nick Shedd's Career and Insights on Player Development

Nick Shedd detailed his journey to becoming the Director of Strength and Conditioning for the Boston Red Sox, highlighting his work with the U.S. Army, Olympic teams, and the Houston Astros. He explained the structure of the minor league system and the significant differences in player development, particularly between single A and double A levels, as well as the physical disparities between major league and minor league players.

18:13 -Programming for Athlete Development

Michael Wright asked how to effectively program for athletes at different developmental stages, particularly balancing the needs of older players and younger ones. Nick Shedd described their system, which includes 18 strength and conditioning coaches and a tiered approach to training. The foundational movement capacity tier focuses on basic movements with minimal loading for younger athletes, while subsequent tiers emphasize strength and power based on performance-related strength thresholds.

21:11 -Metrics and Performance in Baseball Training

Nick Shedd outlined the collaborative efforts to enhance players' biomechanics, including their pitching and hitting techniques. He highlighted that metrics such as throwing velocity are critical for pitchers, with a significant correlation between speed and success in Major League Baseball. For position players, hitting performance is a key indicator of value, alongside the necessity of being a competent defender.

25:12 -Data Tracking in Sports Analytics

Nick Shedd explained the advanced tracking technologies employed in baseball, such as TrackMan for pitch metrics and Hawkeye for in-game speeds and biomechanics. He mentioned that while MLB restricts the use of GPS wearables, minor leagues benefit from this technology. Michael Wright shared his perspective from football, emphasizing the significance of GPS data for player performance monitoring and injury prevention.

29:29 -Balancing Athlete Robustness and Development

Nick Shedd explains that the average minor league career is short, necessitating a focus on physical development even during the season. He highlights the importance of educating players on nutrition and maintaining a consistent training regimen, often lifting twice a week to ensure continued improvement.

33:47 -Strategies for Athlete Rehabilitation and Performance Optimization

Nick Shedd explained the process of nursing injured athletes back to performance, focusing on the need to gradually increase their game exposure while avoiding overload. Michael Wright provided examples from cricket, illustrating the complexities of managing athletes who have missed significant playing time due to injuries. Both emphasized the importance of data-driven approaches in monitoring recovery and performance.

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