Eamonn Flanagan on Building Fast, Explosive and Robust Athletes with Plyometric Training

Eamonn Flanagan on Building Fast, Explosive and Robust Athletes with Plyometric Training

Author: Mike Robertson November 7, 2025 Duration: 1:15:31

If you’re looking to learn more about jump training, plyometrics, or simply want to help your athletes get more explosive, you’re going to LOVE today’s episode

Eamonn Flanagan is the Lead Strength & Conditioning Consultant with the Sport Ireland Institute where he leads the physical preparation of Ireland’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

Eamonn has also been the Head of Performance Support to a number of Olympic and Paralympic sports over the past 3 Olympic cycles.

And in this episode, we’re going to take a deep dive assessing, coaching and programming plyometrics in your training sessions!

 

Quotable Quotes:

It’s really important that athletes develop the ability to create or to manage force eccentrically at high rates and with big magnitudes.

—–

I think loaded jumps are really valuable, but I think loaded jumps get really useful when you manipulate the exercise itself to do something that you weren’t able to do otherwise.

—–

I think the important thing is that you have a long-term plan, either as a strength and conditioning coach, a sprint coach, etc.

 

This Week on the Physical Prep Podcast:

  • Eamonn’s journey from a young rugby player to a leading strength and conditioning coach in Ireland.
  • The importance of understanding different strength qualities in athletic training.
  • How Eamonn’s experiences in the U.S. shaped his approach to sports science.
  • Jumps vs. Plyometrics: What’s the difference? And why should we care?
  • Why the CMJ is such a valuable test…
  • …yet why we SHOULD NOT use it to test everything!
  • A battery of tests Eamonn might use to evaluate his athletes
  • The significance of eccentric impulse in enhancing athletic performance.
  • A simple (but not easy) question: When is an athlete ready for plyos?
  • AND does the 2x bodyweight mantra carry any weight?
  • Why you might consider using weighted jumps in your programs.
  • Last but not least, general volume prescriptions to help you write better programs and meet clients/athletes where they’re at!

 

 

Connect with Eamonn:

 

Related Links:

 

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The post Eamonn Flanagan on Building Fast, Explosive and Robust Athletes with Plyometric Training appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.


Mike Robertson hosts the Physical Preparation Podcast, a space dedicated to the intricate craft of building better athletes and more effective coaches. Instead of quick fixes or fads, conversations here focus on the principles and practical details that form the foundation of sustainable performance. Each episode features in-depth discussions with leading experts from the health and fitness world, breaking down complex concepts into actionable strategies. You’ll hear honest explorations of training methodologies, injury prevention, and the nuanced decisions that separate good programs from great ones. This podcast serves as a continual education for anyone serious about understanding the ‘why’ behind physical preparation, whether you’re designing regimens for others or refining your own athletic journey. The dialogue is grounded in real-world application, aiming to sharpen your critical thinking and provide tools that can be implemented immediately. Tune in for a consistently insightful look at how intelligent training philosophy translates into tangible results, fostering a deeper appreciation for the art and science of human performance.
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