Performance Strategies & Stumbles

Mastering Change of Direction: Technical Principles, Assessment and Training Frameworks — with Tom Dos Santos

In this strategy episode of Performance Strategies and Stumbles, I'm joined by Tom Dos Santos — a researcher and practitioner who has dedicated a significant amount of his work to understanding one of the most technically demanding qualities in sport: change of direction.

This is a detailed, practical conversation that goes well beyond the surface level. Tom walks us through the core biomechanical principles that underpin effective change of direction, including the angle-velocity trade-off and the stress placed on the ACL during cutting manoeuvres — and why coaches need to understand this before they design a single drill.

We get into how to approach needs analysis when entering a new sport, how to assess change of direction across multiple angles and actions rather than relying on a single test, and the role game analysis should play in shaping what we do in training. Tom also discusses how to build effective progressions and regressions, how technology is changing the way we evaluate these qualities, and why developing perceptual cues for anticipation is just as important as the physical output itself.

If you work with athletes who need to move fast, change direction under pressure, and do it repeatedly without breaking down — this one is worth your full attention.

Episode Sponsor — 1080 Motion

This episode is supported by 1080 Motion — the industry leader for motorised resistance in high-performance sport. 1080's technology gives elite practitioners the ability to create precise and unique loading like overspeed, eccentric overload, and isokinetics straight from a screen, with instant insights from athlete outputs and profiling. From speed to strength to return-to-play, 1080 Motion has everything you need to truly drive performance. Check them out HERE.

1080 Motion will also be running a dedicated learning zone at Collaborate 360 in July — our first in-person event. Tickets are available now, link below.

Collaborate 360 — Our First In-Person Event

Collaborate 360 is coming this July. A full day bringing together practitioners from across high-performance sport, with 1080 Motion running a dedicated learning zone on the day. If you want to be in the room, see what we have planned and grab your ticket HERE!

In this Stumbles episode of Performance Strategies and Stumbles, I'm joined again by James Nolan to explore the mistakes and learning experiences that have shaped his approach as a coach in high performance sport.

Following on from our previous conversation around in-season strength and power development, this episode shifts the focus to the realities of professional growth — the moments where things went wrong, and what James has taken from them.

James shares honest reflections from his time in Ireland and with the Welsh Rugby Union — from communication breakdowns and administrative errors to the gradual realisation of how much active listening and self-awareness matter in a coaching environment. He talks about the tension between being an energetic, engaging presence and staying true to the core principles of a programme, and why understanding how you come across to the people around you is just as important as what you know.

Ultimately, this episode is about recognising that mistakes are part of the process — and that growth comes from how we reflect, adapt, and improve.

If this episode has made you reflect on your own practice, our Collaborate Sports performance mentorship programmes are designed to support exactly that kind of development — you can find all the details here: https://collaboratesports.com/groupmentorship

A big thanks to our sponsor once again, the IUSCA. Check out what they do HERE

In this episode of Performance Strategies and Stumbles, I sit down with James Nolan to explore how we should rethink in-season strength and power development, particularly in rugby.

Too often, in-season training is framed as “maintenance.” In this conversation, James challenges that concept — arguing that if we’re not continuing to develop athletes, we may actually be doing them a disservice.

Drawing on his experience in elite rugby environments, James shares how to approach in-season training with intent, structuring programmes around clear goals, and ensuring athletes continue to adapt despite the demands of competition.

We discuss how to build training blocks across the season, how to balance intensity and volume within sessions, and why individualisation and communication across staff are essential for effective delivery.

James also introduces the idea of using storytelling as a coaching tool, helping athletes better understand and buy into training, and explains how viewing the season as a series of “chapters” can help coaches plan more effectively.

Ultimately, this episode is about shifting from simply maintaining performance to continually developing athletes within the constraints of competition.

🚀 Collaborate Sports Mentorship Programmes
If this episode has challenged your thinking around programme design, in-season training, and athlete development, our Collaborate Sports performance mentorship programmes are designed to support that journey.

👉 Explore all mentorship programmes HERE:

This episode is supported by the International Universities Strength and Conditioning Association (IUSCA).

IUSCA are hosting the International Conference on Strength and Conditioning 2026 at Leeds Beckett University on Friday 5th June 2026, bringing together leading practitioners and researchers from across the world. Details HERE.

In this Stumbles episode of Performance Strategies and Stumbles, I’m joined again by Dr Peter Tierney to explore the mistakes and learning experiences that have shaped his approach as a practitioner in sports science and coaching.

Following on from our previous conversation around wearable technology, this episode shifts the focus to the realities of professional growth — the mistakes that happen in practice, and what we can learn from them.

Peter shares how, early in his career, he found himself overcomplicating processes, trying to do too much rather than focusing on what truly mattered. Through experience, he learned the importance of simplicity, clarity, and effective communication, particularly when working within multidisciplinary teams and athlete environments.

We also discuss the value of athlete feedback, the importance of addressing tension early within teams, and why removing emotion from professional discussions can lead to better collaboration and decision-making.

Ultimately, this episode is about recognising that mistakes are part of the process - and that growth comes from how we reflect, adapt, and improve.

As mentioned in the episode, if you are interested in joining the data skills mentorship with Shaun McLaren - click this link

In this strategy episode of Performance Strategies and Stumbles, I sit down with Dr Peter Tierney to explore how wearable technology should be understood and integrated within modern performance environments.

Peter is a sports scientist whose career spans elite sport, applied research, and performance technology innovation. He has previously worked within high-performance environments, including Leinster Rugby and The Football Association, supporting athlete monitoring and performance programmes. Alongside his applied work in sport, Peter holds a PhD in Sports Science, with additional research focusing on athlete monitoring, GPS analysis, and performance data interpretation. He now works within performance environments helping translate sports science insights into tools used by athletes and practitioners.

This diverse background gives Peter a unique perspective on the rapid growth of wearable technology in sport—from HRV and sleep monitoring to recovery and readiness scores—and on the challenges practitioners face in interpreting these metrics meaningfully.

In our conversation, we discussed why practitioners must understand what is happening under the hood of wearable metrics, rather than relying on simplified readiness scores or reacting to day-to-day fluctuations. Peter explains how wearable technology should sit within a broader monitoring ecosystem alongside tools such as GPS, load monitoring systems, and force plates, and why the key to good decision-making lies in understanding trends, context, and athlete feedback.

A wukc thank you to our sponsor, the IUSCA - check out their conference in June HERE, and dont forget to sign up for our advanced data skills mentorship with Shaun McLaren if you are keen to transform wearable data into meaningful insights. We start in a few weeks. Sign up is HERE.