In this episode of the Athletic Edge podcast, I speak with Joe Pedulla, a strength coach at the University of Oklahoma, about his journey from working as a physical therapy aide to coaching collegiate athletes. Joe shares insights on balancing strength training with skill development, understanding an athlete's training age, and the misconceptions about strength’s impact on performance. We dive into topics like rotational power in softball, shoulder health, and innovative testing methods like the Ash test. Packed with practical advice for coaches, athletes, and parents, this episode offers valuable takeaways to elevate athletic performance.
00:00:18 -
Guest Introduction: Joe Pedulla 00:01:27 -
Joe's Background and Journey to Strength Coaching 00:02:44 -
Experiences at NJ FAST and Kansas City Royals 00:04:50 -
Differences in Training Ages Among Athletes 00:06:18 -
Baseball and Early Specialization 00:08:08 -
In-Season Training and Athlete Development 00:10:36 -
Criteria for Assessing New Athletes 00:12:42 -
Understanding Motor Preferences 00:13:42 -
Force Plate Testing and Its Application 00:17:03 -
Speed and Power Development in Softball 00:19:32 -
Maximal Strength as a Foundation 00:22:09 -
Rotational Power and Its Importance 00:25:55 -
Shoulder Health and Injury Prevention 00:31:51 -
Misconceptions About Strength and Conditioning 00:40:13 -
The Role of Strength Coaches in Athlete Success 00:42:45 -
Advice for Young Athletes and Coaches
Links:
IG: @pedullaperformance
Connect with me:
IG: Follow @evans.performance for additional insights and content.
Thank you for listening! Stay tuned for more valuable discussions on strength and conditioning with industry experts. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to help us reach more listeners.
What is The Athletic Edge Podcast?
The Athletic Edge Podcast is a show for strength & conditioning coaches who want to master the craft, build a sustainable career, and stay ahead of where the profession is going. Hosted by Liam Evans, each episode features conversations with coaches, performance specialists, and industry leaders on high-performance training, athletic development, business, and career strategy—delivering practical insights and real-world lessons you can apply throughout your coaching career.