Ep 31 - Nick Winkelman Talks Understanding the Language of Coaching to Optimize Motor Learning (Part 1)

Welcome back to the state of the industry podcast. I am your host, Adam Jongsma. For the next two weeks we will be diving into the language of coaching with, Nick Winkelman.

I have been looking forward to this discussion for a while now. In fact, I’ve been following Nicks work since he was back at Athletes Performance (now EXOS). I have always been fascinated with why a cue will work with one client or athlete, but not the next. Why some cues help translate a skill learned in training to the game environment, and why some don’t even stick until the next rep, set, or training session. Well within this episode, Nick sheds some light onto why this is and how we can better understand the language of coaching to ensure our clients and athletes understand us.

For those who don’t know Nick, he is the head of athletic performance & science for the Irish Rugby Football Union. Prior to this, Nick was the director of education for EXOS (formerly Athletes' Performance), located in Phoenix, AZ. As a performance coach, Nick oversaw the speed and assessment component of the EXOS NFL Combine Development Program. Nick has also supported many athletes in the NFL, MLB, NBA, National Sport Organizations and Military. Nick is an internationally recognized speaker on human performance and coaching science, and has multiple publications through the UKSCA, NSCA and IDEA Health and Fitness.

I’ve rambled for long enough, so sit back, relax, and I will see you on the other side.