
How to Develop Speed and Agility That Transfers to On-Pitch Performance with James Nolan
Athletic Skills PodcastShow Notes
🚀 Speed and agility can be the difference in winning and losing—but are you training them effectively?In this episode, we sit down withJames Nolan, First-Team Strength & Conditioning Coach at Cardiff Rugby, to break down how to develop speed and agility that actually transfers to game performance.With a background spanning rugby, football, and elite athlete development, James shares insights into:🏃 Why many S&C coaches struggle with speed & agility training.🏉 How to develop speed and agility that transfers to game based improvements to team sports.📊 The key physical qualities behind acceleration, deceleration & change of direction.🔄 The role of gym training vs. on-field drills in developing faster athletes.⚡ How return-to-play protocols can rebuild speed & confidence post-injury.If you're a coach, or practitioner looking to learn more about making your athletes faster, bridge the gap between the gym and on-pitch performance, this episode is packed with practical insights!Key Takeaways & Timestamps📌 0:00 – How James Nolan built his career in elite S&C📌 3:00 – Why coaches struggle with speed & agility training📌 7:30 – How gym-based training impacts sprinting & agility📌 12:00 – Developing acceleration, deceleration, and change of direction📌 18:00 – Open vs. closed agility drills: When and how to use them📌 24:00 – Why warm-ups are a hidden weapon for speed & movement skill📌 30:00 – Return-to-play protocols: How to safely rebuild speed after injury📌 37:00 – How to make agility drills more game-relevant📌 45:00 – James’ advice for grassroots coaches developing young athletesLinks & Resources📩 Connect with James Nolan on LinkedIn🔔 Subscribe for More! Found this episode helpful? Like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon for more interviews with elite coaches and sports practitioners.Instagram: athleticskillseducationEmail: [email protected]#SpeedTraining #Agility #StrengthAndConditioning #AthleteDevelopment #Rugby #SportsScience #Coaching
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
More from Athletic Skills Podcast
Too many S&C coaches, sports scientists, and performance staff feel like leadership is something reserved for the person with the highest title.
Too many coaches still see nutrition as “someone else’s job.”But if you’re working with athletes — at any level — you’re influencing how they fuel, recover, and perform.
How to Use AI to Save Time, Plan Smarter, and Transform Your Coaching
Why Growth Spurts Confuse Coaches – And What to Do About It
Build stronger, faster, and more robust cricketers—without changing your entire coaching programme.