In this episode, Les Spellman sits down with Kyle Bolton, Oregon Football Director of Speed & Performance, to break down how a top program actually builds, measures, and keeps speed all year long. They get into Oregon’s offseason blueprint, GPS and testing, how they balance Big Ten size with real game speed, and what NIL + the transfer portal mean for today’s strength/speed coaches. Kyle also shares what separates college speed work from combine prep and what athletes should be doing now if they want a shot at the league later.

The Universal Speed Rating is looking to partner with more elite training businesses around the country with their Speed Lab partnership. If you are interested in systemizing your speed training and growing your business, click here [https://universalspeedrating.com/learn-more-partner-with-universal-speed-rating-speed-lab-podcast] to schedule a call with our team. 

Episode Timestamps

 * 00:00 – Intro & Kyle’s path to Oregon
 * 02:30 – Building Oregon’s offseason speed plan
 * 07:15 – Testing, GPS, and making data actually useful
 * 12:00 – Getting bigger for the Big Ten without losing speed
 * 21:30 – In-season speed, “go” drills, and game-speed standards
 * 35:15 – Fastest dudes on the team & what they’re hitting
 * 42:25 – NIL, coaching future, and where the job is headed
 * 55:25 – Combine prep vs college speed & advice to athletes

Off-season & In-season Speed Training with Kyle Bolton, Oregon Football Director of Speed & Performance

In this episode, Les Spellman sits down with legendary quarterback developer Jordan Palmer for a deep dive into what it really takes to build elite quarterbacks. Jordan has trained some of the NFL's biggest names - Josh Allen, Sam Darnold, Joe Burrow - and in this episode, he pulls back the curtain on his evaluation process, the mental and physical traits that separate good from great, and why quarterback development is about movement first, mechanics second.

Jordan shares never-before-told stories about Josh Allen's breakthrough during the COVID offseason, what Sam Darnold learned from watching Brock Purdy in San Francisco, and why the quarterback coaching industry is 20 years behind golf. 

Episode Timestamps

0:00 – Intro: How Jordan would develop Les into a quarterback

3:21 – The mental and emotional filter: What Jordan looks for before anything physical

7:41 – How Jordan assesses learning ability and football IQ

9:39 – Breaking down film evaluation: Anticipation, accuracy, and spatial awareness

13:43 – The Josh Allen question: What changed year over year?

19:41 – Sam Darnold's secret weapon: Resilience and routine

20:00 – Quarterbacks who've been "counted out" and came back (Baker, Geno, Sam)

22:24 – Why Sam's year in San Francisco was more valuable than anyone realizes

26:24 – The LPGA swing coach revelation: "Is everyone doing this wrong?"

29:22 – The philosophy: Quarterback is about movement, not just mechanics

39:57 – Physical development before technique: The missing piece in youth QB training

43:11 – The nutrition gap: Parents invest in training but miss the fundamentals

53:28 – How youth sports schedules have changed—and why delivery systems must adapt

57:38 – Changing the conversation at the kitchen table

58:55 – The lowest hanging fruit for elite performance: Nutrition and sleep

1:02:12 – Where to find Jordan Palmer and QB Summit services

Jordan Palmer: How To Develop NFL Quarterbacks 

In this episode, Les and Danny sit down with Brian Buck to dive deep into force plate profiling, injury risk patterns, amortization mechanics, and how elite athletes can monitor and improve movement efficiency across the stretch-shortening cycle.

Brian breaks down practical training application, in-season vs off-season decision-making, and how technology, bloodwork, movement data, and performance therapy all fit together to support long-term athlete durability.

The Universal Speed Rating is looking to partner with more elite training businesses around the country. If you are interested in systemizing your speed training and growing your business, click here [https://universalspeedrating.com/learn-more-partner-with-universal-speed-rating-speed-lab-podcast] to schedule a call with our team. 

Brian Buck: Force Plate Profiling

In this episode, Les and Danny are joined by Ken Vick, owner of Velocity Sports Performance, to break down the balance between precision and health in athlete development. They explore how overload, youth specialization, and modern training models impact injury trends across sports. From youth stress fractures to the NBA’s rising injury rates, they dive into how coaches can build capacity without breaking athletes down.

The Universal Speed Rating is looking for more sports performance businesses to partner with to systemize your speed training and help grow your business. If you are interested in learning more, click here [https://universalspeedrating.com/learn-more-partner-with-universal-speed-rating-speed-lab-podcast] to schedule an introduction call with our team. 

Episode Timestamps

 * 00:00–02:00 – Intro and overview
 * 09:00 – Balance vs. Precision in performance and health
 * 14:00 – Chronic injuries in youth athletes
 * 18:00 – Can we “out-train” bad workload strategies?
 * 20:00 – Injury spikes in NBA, MLB, and youth sports
 * 22:00 – Early specialization and long-term effects
 * 26:00 – Training frameworks and proactive approaches
 * 56:00 – Data-driven decision making for coaches
 * 1:11:30 – Correcting the NBA injury stat & closing thoughts



Ken Vick: Training Frameworks & Proactive Approaches

Hunter Eisenhower, Associate Head Coach, Sports Performance, for Arizona State men's basketball, breaks down his "Force System" training methodology and introduces his Archetype Quadrants. 

See how Hunter challenges traditional strength training by focusing on four pillars: High Force (deceleration), Fast Force (speed/elasticity), Slow Force (tendon health), and Human Force (fundamental movement). Learn practical strategies for profiling athletes and designing programs that optimize performance—with or without force plates.

Interested in learning more about the Universal Speed Rating? Click here [https://universalspeedrating.com/learn-more-partner-with-universal-speed-rating-speed-lab-podcast]to schedule a short call with our team.

Episode Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction & Hunter's background

01:06 - Creating the Four System

02:15 - Fast Force: Speed & elasticity

02:42 - Slow Force: Tissue health & injury prevention

03:14 - Human Force: Fundamental movement patterns

03:38 - Archetype Quadrants explained

05:24 - Four System exercise examples

1:10:20 - Case study: Patellar tendinopathy

1:12:33 - Building normative data

1:13:21 - Simplifying force plate metrics

1:13:59 - The simplicity principle in coaching

1:15:14 - Practitioners adopting the system

1:16:40 - Closing thoughts & future episodes

Hunter Eisenhower: Force System Training Methodology 

In this episode of The Speed Lab Podcast, Les and Cici dive deep into what it really takes to make an NFL 53-man roster — from the grind of training camp to the politics behind roster cuts. They discuss how performance, personality, and availability often outweigh raw talent, and share firsthand stories from elite athletes like T-Mac and others who’ve fought their way through the system.

The conversation expands into profiling athletes, tendon efficiency, data tracking, and how different physical and mental traits shape player development from high school to the pros. 

Interested in learning more about the Universal Speed Rating? Click here [https://universalspeedrating.com/learn-more-partner-with-universal-speed-rating-speed-lab-podcast] to schedule a quick call with our team.

Episode Timestamps

00:00 – 05:30 • Opening banter & introduction

05:30 – 10:30 • The brutal reality of making a 53-man NFL roster

10:30 – 15:30 • What rookies face between college and the draft

15:30 – 20:30 • Balancing health, opportunity, and the grind

20:30 – 25:00 • Inside T-Mac’s training structure and workload

25:00 – 30:00 • Force profiling, tendon efficiency, and athletic resilience

30:00 – 35:00 • Speed mechanics, reactive strength, and acceleration profiles

35:00 – 40:00 • Eccentric strength, propulsion, and elite-receiver analysis

40:00 – 45:00 • Collaboration between coaches, data, and athlete management

45:00 – 50:00 • Leadership, confidence, and women in sports performance

50:00 – 55:00 • GPS tech, game-speed tracking, and practice data

55:00 – 01:00:00 • Coaching creativity from NFL pros to high school athletes

01:00:00 – 01:04:30 • Work-life balance, family priorities, and future goals

Cici Murray: Balancing Health & Performance

In this episode of The Speed Lab Podcast, Les and Danny dive into the rising problem of youth sports injuries, the balance between health and performance, and why early specialization is hurting athletes more than helping them. They break down how the NFL Combine creates short-term athletes instead of long-term pros, the responsibility shared by coaches, parents, and agents, and why true longevity comes from smarter planning, recovery, and communication. 

Interested in learning more about the Universal Speed Rating? Click here [https://universalspeedrating.com/learn-more-partner-with-universal-speed-rating-speed-lab-podcast] to schedule a quick call with our team.

Timestamps

 * 00:00 – 02:22 – Opening banter and setting the stage
 * 02:22 – 06:12 – Rise in youth injuries since 2000; early specialization issues
 * 06:12 – 10:10 – Balancing performance vs. health; smarter stress management
 * 12:01 – 13:32 – S&C’s growth and risks of over-relying on data
 * 15:31 – 17:18 – NFL Combine critique; Dr. Marcus Elliott insights
 * 23:03 – 25:56 – Longevity and dynamic athlete profiles
 * 35:37 – 41:27 – ACLs, UCLs, and stress fractures in youth sports
 * 46:52 – 49:52 – Advice for parents: breaks, oversight, and avoiding early specialization
 * 53:26 – 57:44 – NFL rookies’ transition struggles and workload spikes
 * 60:15 – 63:16 – Coaching accountability and communication
 * 67:02 – 70:42 – NFL as a starting point, not the end; athlete ownership
 * 73:28 – 76:03 – Evolution of strength coaches and embracing variability
 * 76:21 – End – “Strong enough is strong enough”; closing thoughts

Danny Foley: State Of Athletic Performance

In this episode of The Speed Lab Podcast, Les Spellman and Kyle Bolton dive into how athletes can unlock new levels of performance by rethinking training loads, recovery, and the role of velocity-based profiling. From balancing intent with execution to how coaches can make training data meaningful for both athletes and parents, this episode is packed with insights that bridge science, coaching, and real-world application.

Interested in learning more about the Universal Speed Rating? Click here [https://universalspeedrating.com/learn-more-partner-with-universal-speed-rating-speed-lab-podcast] to schedule a quick call with our team.

Episode Timestamps

 * 00:00 – Intro Setting the stage for today’s focus on athlete development and training insights.
 * 02:15 – Training Loads & Velocity-Based Profiling Why profiling athletes by velocity matters and how it can impact speed and strength outcomes.
 * 08:40 – Recovery & Adaptation Discussion on balancing intensity with proper recovery so athletes can actually progress instead of burn out.
 * 15:05 – Communicating Data to Parents & Athletes Breaking down “coach speak” into simple, practical terms so parents and athletes buy in.
 * 22:30 – Event & Camp Preparation How AI tools and structured planning can reduce guesswork for coaches organizing camps and clinics.
 * 29:45 – Closing Thoughts Final takeaways on bridging the gap between science, coaching, and athlete results.

Kyle Bolton: Training Loads & Velocity Based Profiling

In this episode of The Speed Lab Podcast, Les and Danny dive deep into the lessons from the NFL Combine, athlete rehab, and the balance between art and science in coaching. They share behind-the-scenes insights on calf strain rehab, the role of connective tissue, the challenges of interdisciplinary work, and how to create individualized plans inside a team environment. 

Interested in learning more about the Universal Speed Rating? Click here [https://universalspeedrating.com/learn-more-partner-with-universal-speed-rating-speed-lab-podcast] to schedule a quick call with our team.

Episode Timestamps

 * 0:00 – 4:30 | Crash course beginnings, chaos, and lessons learned
 * 4:30 – 11:00 | Solving problems in human performance & staying curious
 * 15:30 – 17:15 | Quadrants as a blueprint for sprint mechanics
 * 26:30 – 33:00 | Inside calf strain rehab: long-duration isometrics, recovery, and daily oversight
 * 35:00 – 37:15 | Connective tissue vs. muscle dominance — why strains happen
 * 41:00 – 43:30 | Why rest and separation of health/performance fails athletes
 * 53:30 – 55:30 | The paradox of concentric vs. eccentric force
 * 58:30 – 1:04:00 | Foot mechanics, posterior tibialis, and performance impact
 * 1:10:30 – 1:13:30 | Leadership lessons: range of motion, reliability, and profiling
 * 1:16:40 – 1:19:45 | Individualization within team programming
 * 1:26:15 – 1:29:45 | NFL complexity and building continuity of care
 * 1:33:00 – End | The future of performance, human connection, and relationships

Danny Foley: Solving Problems In Human Performance

In this solo episode of The Speed Lab Podcast, Les Spellman breaks down one of the most misunderstood aspects of sprinting: the stretch shortening cycle (SSC) and the critical role of pre-tension. Drawing from research, coaching experience, and case studies, Les explains why faster sprinters actually produce higher braking forces, how tendons act as both shocks and springs, and why athlete development often overlooks eccentric qualities. 

Interested in learning more about the Universal Speed Rating? Click here [https://universalspeedrating.com/learn-more-partner-with-universal-speed-rating-speed-lab-podcast] to schedule a quick call with our team.

Episode Timestamps

 * 00:00 – Intro & why this topic matters
 * 01:15 – Braking forces & the stretch shortening cycle explained
 * 05:00 – Early coaching mistakes & concentric-only bias
 * 08:00 – Why concentric strength doesn’t separate elite sprinters
 * 10:15 – Hypothesis: performance = pretension + braking + transition + propulsion
 * 11:00 – Tendons as shock absorbers & springs
 * 13:30 – Force plates as a window into SSC
 * 17:00 – Case study: Jacob Robinson’s eccentric RFD breakthrough
 * 21:00 – Case study: River Cracraft tendon remodeling
 * 23:30 – Case study: Brandon Jetter improving pretension & ground contact
 * 28:45 – Pretension mechanics & dribble drills
 * 31:00 – Practical takeaways from force plate metrics
 * 35:15 – Training interventions: yielding/overcoming isometrics, reflexive eccentrics, plyos
 * 38:45 – Programming ideas (slow, high, and fast force days)
 * 42:00 – Redefining “stiffness” & SSC strategy
 * 43:20 – Wrap-up, resources, and closing thoughts

Stretch Shortening Cycle & The Role Of Pre-Tension

Introducing The Speed Lab Podcast by Universal Speed Rating. Hosted by Les Spellman, Danny Foley, and Cici Murray, The Speed Lab Podcast dives into all things performance to help you train smarter and play faster. 

Les Spellman

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