Episode 5 - Hiroki Wakabayashi 2/6/2020

06/02/20 • 27 min

In this episode I talk to Hiroki Wakabayashi, a netminder specialised coach from Japan but now living in Phoenix, Arizona.
We talk about his journey to the US via Hong Kong and his work with netminders from the AHL, Olympics, NCAA, national teams and NHL drafts. We focus our attention on netminders, their mindset and what specific physical training they need in comparison to skaters.

We discuss how young goalies should specialise in being a goalie and how parents should approach the development of their child if they end up wanting to play in net. I find out about the different S&C practices across Hiroki's different experiences around the world and his current project which involves a lot of statistical research that can help coaches at all levels.

Another topic we talked about was his recent diagnosis of Cancer and how he found out, how he dealt with the news and how he's been fighting it.
Another episode you should really listen to!

Another topic we talked about was his recent diagnosis of Cancer and how he found out, how he dealt with the news and how he's been fighting it.
Another episode you should really listen to!

Previous Episode

Episode 4 - Eifion Roberts 26/5/2020

In this episode I talk to head of S&C for the Welsh Rugby Union 7s team about his start in S&C and how he progressed from a player to leading the S&C program at the WRU 7s.
We talk about the different demands on 7s against 15s rugby and how a travel team such as Wales 7s cope with the demand of long distance travel while playing on the international 7s circuit.
We discuss the habit of 'chasing numbers' in the gym and how this crosses over into game play on the field, how he manages training volume and load while ensuring players peak in time for tournaments and dealing with jetlag.

Next Episode

Episode 6 - Colin Shields 9/6/2020

For all UK ice hockey fans, this is a treat!
In this episode I talk to Colin Shields, a member of the Great Britain ice hockey team who won promotion to the top tier of IIHF ice hockey last year and current all-time top point scorer in the EIHL with 338 points.
We talk about his start in hockey, how he used Strength & Conditioning to help him stay at the top of his game for his entire career and what it was like to beat France in overtime to secure promotion to the top tier in world ice hockey.
We discuss his background in S&C and how he continued that passion while he was playing and now he has retired, and what his thoughts are on the development of ice hockey in UK going forward.
Another episode you should really listen to!