From Track to Team Sports: Smarter Speed Development | Colm Bourke

Join my weekly coaching & performance email list:
https://fhs-performance.kit.com/4d8709e773

What can GAA coaches learn from elite track & field?

In this episode, I’m joined by Colm Bourke — National Indoor Long Jump Champion, coach, and host of the Track & Field Performance Podcast — to explore how sprinting and jumping principles can improve speed, power and physical preparation in team sports.

We discuss:

• Acceleration vs max velocity and how to structure speed training

• Why sprint sessions should prioritise intent over aesthetics

• Strength training: when it supports speed and when it can blunt it

• Pairing gym work with track sessions

• Profiling athletes (elastic vs force-dominant types)

• Conditioning power athletes without killing explosiveness

• Planning microcycles and building from general to specific

• The importance of reflection and coaching philosophy

This is a practical conversation for GAA, LGFA and Camogie coaches looking to sharpen their approach to speed development and weekly planning.