Andrew Pyke shares his journey from teaching to strength and conditioning, exploring the connections between education and coaching and how effective teaching principles can support athlete development. Andrew offers practical insights into communicating with athletes, managing training loads, building athlete autonomy and balancing short-term performance with long-term development.
Drawing on his experiences across education, rugby league and strength and conditioning, Andrew reflects on:
- His transition from teaching to S&C and how his background in education has shaped his coaching philosophy.
- The overlap between teaching and coaching, and the role of effective pedagogy in athlete development.
- Communicating complex technical concepts in ways athletes can understand and apply.
- Managing training loads and balancing immediate performance demands with long-term development.
- Building athlete autonomy, self-management and ownership of their development.
- The importance of relationships, communication and conflict resolution in coaching.
- The role of mentorship and continuous professional development in shaping his coaching journey.
19 Oct 2026
ASCA Podcast #148 - Sam Drummond
Sam Drummond shares his journey from sport to tactical strength and conditioning, exploring the unique demands of preparing tactical athletes for the unpredictable. Sam offers practical insights into adapting coaching approaches, managing training and recovery, and navigating the challenges of working in tactical environments.
Drawing on his experiences across sport and tactical performance, Sam reflects on:
- His transition from sport to tactical strength and conditioning and how his coaching philosophy has evolved.
- The key physical qualities required for tactical athletes and preparing them for unpredictable real-world demands.
- Managing the challenges of shift work, fatigue and recovery.
- Common injuries in tactical environments and considerations for athlete preparation.
- Balancing sports science and evidence-based practice with the art of coaching.
- The role of mentorship and professional development in shaping his coaching journey.
- Challenges facing emerging S&C coaches and how the industry continues to evolve.
A valuable listen for strength and conditioning coaches and performance practitioners looking to broaden their coaching perspectives, better understand tactical athlete preparation and continue developing their coaching craft.
Keywords
Strength and Conditioning, Tactical Athletes, Tactical Performance, Athlete Preparation, Shift Work, Recovery, Injury Prevention, Coaching Philosophy, Sports Science, Mentorship, Career Development
13 Oct 2026
ASCA Podcast #147 - Michael Barrington-Smith
In this episode, Michael Barrington shares his journey in strength and conditioning within cricket, discussing training strategies, workload management, and industry evolution. Listeners will gain insights into optimizing athlete performance and navigating the complexities of elite sports preparation
Key topics
• Journey into SNC and cricket
• Workload management for fast bowlers
• Training principles for cricket athletes
• Impact of sport evolution on conditioning
• Balancing science and art in coaching
Michael Barrington-Smith - currently the Physical Performance Coach Men's Program - South Australian Cricket Association (SACA). MIchael has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Masters in Exercise Science Strength and conditioning and is ASCA Professional L2 and level 3 Cricket Coach.
Who has been a guest on ASCA Podcast
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Jackson Stone
Christian Bosse
Nathan Heaney
Parnham
Reach and audience
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
7 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 52 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
69
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
89
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