NFL Return-to-Play, Assisted Sprinting, and Deceleration Training with Matt Hobbs, Cleveland Browns

NFL Return-to-Play, Assisted Sprinting, and Deceleration Training with Matt Hobbs, Cleveland Browns

We sit down with Matt Hobbs, Reconditioning Coordinator and Performance Therapist for the Cleveland Browns. Matt shares his journey from collegiate performance to the NFL and how he uses motorized resistance to bridge the gap between rehab and real performance We dive into how return-to-play isn’t just about clearing athletes, but rebuilding acceleration, deceleration, and movement mechanics from the ground up. From early-stage ACL rehab progressions to late-stage assisted sprinting and change of direction work, Matt breaks down how he blends research, constraints-based coaching, and real-world application We cover: -Matt’s path from Miami to Nebraska to the Cleveland Browns -Early exposure to 1080 and applying research to practice -Using motorized resistance in return-to-play and reconditioning -“1080 Projections” for rebuilding acceleration mechanics post-ACL -Constraint-led coaching vs traditional cueing -Assisted sprinting for speed development and late-stage RTP -Contrast sprinting: resisted, unresisted, assisted -Using velocity and split data to guide athlete progress -Educating athletes on performance metrics beyond top speed -Deceleration training and ADA as a key missing piece in football More episodes coming with coaches and practitioners applying speed training, return-to-play, and motorized resistance to build athletes who are not just cleared, but truly ready to perform

ACL Rehab, Mobile Sports Physical Therapy, and Using Data for Return to Play with Karen Bagnardi, Elite Motion Athlete

We sit down with Karen Bagnardi, physical therapist, Gray Institute Fellow, and owner of Elite Motion Athlete. Karen has spent more than 35 years in orthopedic and sports medicine physical therapy and now works with high-performance athletes across high school, collegiate, professional, and Olympic levels Karen shares how she built a mobile sports physical therapy practice, bringing treatment directly to where athletes train, from gyms to hockey rinks. Using the 1080 Sprint as her portable clinic, she combines movement assessment, data-driven rehab, and sport-specific training to guide athletes safely back to competition From ACL rehab and return-to-play testing to on-ice sprint training and collaboration with surgeons, Karen explains how objective data helps athletes progress faster while reducing reinjury risk We cover:-Karen’s path from traditional sports PT to mobile high-performance rehab -Using the 1080 MAP and movement assessment to guide treatment -Applying motorized resistance to real sport movements -ACL rehab and tracking symmetry through force and velocity data -Using sprint graphs and performance curves to guide progression -Collaborating with surgeons, coaches, and skills trainers -Fine-tuning return-to-play decisions with objective metrics -Training hockey athletes directly on the ice with resisted sprinting -The business side of building a mobile sports performance practice -How data helps athletes return to sport faster and safer

NHL High Performance, Isokinetics, and Building a System Devan McConnell, Utah Mammoth Hockey Club

We sit down with Devan McConnell, High Performance Director for the Utah Mammoth and longtime NHL performance leader with the New Jersey Devils and Arizona Coyotes. Devan shares how motorized resistance became a cornerstone of his performance, reconditioning, and sports science system across multiple NHL organizations We dive into acceleration in hockey, isokinetic strength training, return-to-play integration, and how scaling from one Quantum to multiple Sprints and Cables changed what was possible in a team setting. From pitching performance tech to ownership to building an 8,000 square foot performance facility, this episode blends coaching, leadership, and system design at the highest level of professional hockey We cover: -Devan’s path from collegiate S&C to NHL High Performance Director -Early adoption of the 1080 Quantum and Sprint in New Jersey -Using acceleration as a primary KPI in hockey -Isokinetics for strength, power, and safe force production -Reconditioning long-term RTP cases with motorized resistance -Scaling from one unit to multiple Sprints and Cables in Utah -Training frontal and transverse plane power for hockey athletes -Integrating isokinetic resistance into bench press and split squats -How to justify performance technology to management and ownership -The future of hockey development: change of direction, on-ice sprinting, and applied experimentation

Hockey Speed, Isokinetics, and Building Culture with Data, with Charlie Bando

We sit down with Charlie Bando, co-owner of Bando Performance, a multi-location performance company in the Northeast specializing in hockey development. Charlie shares how he went from early exposure to motorized resistance to building it into the backbone of his training culture across four facilities We dive into how the 1080 Sprint evolved from a speed tool into a full-system performance solution, including isokinetics, eccentric overload, in-season monitoring, and return-to-play integration. From junior hockey athletes to high-level prospects, Charlie explains how intent, data, and culture combine to drive real results We cover: -How Bando Performance adopted the 1080 Sprint and scaled it across locations -Building a performance culture around speed and measurable intent -Using isokinetics for hockey-specific strength development -Running an omni-contraction model: eccentric, isometric, concentric emphases -Monitoring in-season fatigue and performance in collision sports -Integrating motorized resistance into return-to-play settings -Strength work vs on-ice speed development -Gamifying speed training for youth athletes -Scaling technology during high-volume summer training

High School Speed Training, Overspeed, and Building Buy-In with JT Ayers, Trabuco Hills High School

We sit down with JT Ayers, head track and field coach at Trabuco Hills High School. JT shares what it actually looks like to build a high-level speed program in a public school setting, from long-term planning and fundraising to earning trust from athletes, parents, and the community. We talk through why he waited to invest in equipment he truly believed in, how overspeed training changed both performance and safety in his program, and how he scales one 1080 Sprint 2 across a large roster. From resisted starts and contrast work to assisted sprinting, data tracking, and simple KPIs, this episode is a practical look at applying elite tools in a real high school environment. We cover: -JT’s background coaching high school and private-sector athletes -Long-term planning and fundraising for equipment you truly want -Why safety and reliability mattered for overspeed training -Using resisted sprints, contrast work, and simple loading strategies -Assisted sprinting and overspeed in a high school setting -Tracking a few key metrics without overcomplicating the process -Scaling one unit across a large roster -Creating training groups and athlete buy-in -Using data to support coaching eyes, not replace them -Building a culture of trust, patience, and long-term development