Episode Details
Back to EpisodesErik Huddleston on Sport-Specificity, Adaptability and Co-Working with Athletes in the NBA
Description
If you’ve ever followed an NBA season, you might think that once the regular season or playoffs are over, that the performance coaches get to take a 2, 3 or even 4 month break before getting back into that pre-season grind.
But unfortunately, that’s just not the case.
In fact, in most cases once the season is done, a whole new set of responsibilities emerge – and we’re going to lean into that topic today with my guy Erik Huddleston.
Erik is currently a sports performance coach for the Indiana Pacers. Prior to his current role, he also worked as a G-League performance with the Indiana Mad Ants, was director of performance at the one and only IFAST, and also interned with both Texas Tech and Indiana University basketball.
And in this show, we’re going to take a behind the scenes look at being a performance coach in the NBA!
When you improve how something looks and feels, but it also has transferability over to the court, what else can I ask for?
– Erik Huddleston
This Week on the Physical Prep Podcast:
- What’s new with my guy E since the last time we chatted.
- What the transition is like going from the private sector to the NBA world.
- Why ADAPTABILITY is so crucial if you want to work in pro sports.
- The biggest lessons he learned early on, and why there’s so much more to it than just coaching.
- How the roles of an NBA performance coach shift when the season is over.
- His role during NBA Summer League, and what he tries to get done during that 2-3 week stretch.
- The role consistency plays in doing your job at a high level.
- What goes into the job OUTSIDE of coaching?
- Interactions between teams, and how to improve communication across coaches to ensure athletes get the best possible outcomes.
Connect with Eric:
Related Links:
- IFAST Basketball Insiders
- Erik Huddleston on the Life of a Serial Intern
- Mike Irr Podcast
- Chris Chase Podcasts
- Eric Schmitt on Program Design and Agile Periodization in the NBA