In this episode, I sit down with Lee Taft, widely known as "The Speed Guy."

With over 35 years of experience, Lee is a renowned authority on athletic movement and multidirectional speed training. His methodologies, drills, and principles are used by NFL, NBA, and MLB teams, top NCAA programs, and performance facilities across the globe.

Lee’s coaching roots run deep — he has coached basketball teams and athletes at all levels and does an exceptional job at simplifying complex concepts into digestible skills that can directly apply to the game.

He has a deep passion for the game of basketball, and is an incredible advocate for developing athletes and bridging the gap between coaches and players.

01:09 Importance of Language in Coaching

02:14 Guest's Background and Journey

05:32 Common Misconceptions in Basketball Coaching

12:42 Developing Locomotion Literacy in Athletes

17:18 Rehabilitation and Return to Play

21:01 Using Bands for Deceleration Training

23:43 Using Bands for Lower Body Emphasis

25:23 Importance of Skill Development and Free Play

29:40 Incorporating Skill Development in Team Settings

35:28 Conditioning and Skill Training Integration

39:17 Balancing Play and Training for Young Athletes

44:08 Conclusion and Resources for Further Learning

This episode is powered by Teambuildr. TeamBuildr PRACTICE is running a limited-time pre-sale. Secure 25% off by heading to teambuildr.com/practice before May 31, 2025.

Learn more from Lee at his website: https://leetaft.com/

Follow Lee on IG: https://www.instagram.com/leetaft/

Erik is a nationally recognized physical therapist, consultant, and educator based in Portland, Oregon, specializing in sports rehabilitation and applying science to sports medicine, with his current focus on supporting professional and elite collegiate athletes.

In this episode, he shares his observations on the gaps medical & performance professionals typically have when it comes to applying science into their practice. The conversation delves into what is really "evidence-based practice" and the critical appraisal of new technology in high-level basketball. Speaking from over two decades of experience, he advocates for the role of practitioners as guides rather than "fixers", stressing the need for transparency, hammering the basics well, and keeping interactions centered around the athlete's values.

Learn more about Erik and his courses at: www.thesciencept.com

Register for the Elite Rehab Basketball Conference at: https://basketball.eliterehabconferences.com/

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01:05 Starting the PT Inquests Podcast

02:37 Journey into Physical Therapy

04:42 Developing a Unique Practice

06:00 Engaging with Higher-Level Athletes

08:02 Evidence-Based Practice in Physical Therapy

09:06 Challenges in Research and Application

22:13 Efficacy vs. Effectiveness in Therapy

28:18 Critically Appraising New Technology

29:22 Identifying and Addressing Performance Gaps

30:23 Challenges with High-Tech Solutions in Sports Science

32:50 The Importance of Simplicity in Athletic Testing

33:53 Athlete Perception and Technology

35:03 Focusing on Fundamentals Over Cutting-Edge Tech

36:57 Addressing Basic Issues in Athletic Performance

43:46 The Role of Medical Providers in Sports

52:32 Elite Basketball Rehab Conference and Networking

56:15 Online Courses and Resources for Professionals

Dr. Keith D'Amelio has an extensive background in elite sports, including roles with such organizations as the Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors and Stanford University as well as being the former Director of Athlete Performance at Nike,

In this episode, Keith shares his background on the evolution of the basketball landscape over his career as well as the changes in athlete expectations and relationships with training staff. He shares his opinions on the current structure of medical/performance departments as well as providing advice to professionals feeling the pressure of inevitable departures. We wrap up the conversation discussing the missing untapped aspect of player development that can give your athletes the competitive advantage.

Best contact to reach Keith is via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-d-amelio-phd-2166b54/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/finish_strong_hoops/