Jarred Boyd on Adaptive Intent, Mental Models, and Building Elite Basketball Players

Jarred Boyd on Adaptive Intent, Mental Models, and Building Elite Basketball Players

Author: Mike Robertson July 11, 2025 Duration: 1:14:48

Why is strength important for basketball players? And are the ways we currently evaluate strength relevant to the sport?

As a coach or clinician, how do you toe that line between optimizing and improving movement, while still getting REAL training adaptations?

And what’s the difference between kinetic and regional interdependence, and why should you care?

Well if you’re curious about any of these topics, you’re going to LOVE today’s episode.

Jarred Boyd is a doctor of physical therapy and is currently the Director of Rehabilitation for the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA.

And in this episode, we’re going to talk about optimizing movement, getting strong, and keeping your hoopers healthy!

 

Quotable Quotes:

The demands (of basketball) are going to be highly predicated on the ability to maintain the pace.

We have to put on our clinical thinking or Sherlock Holmes hat, and ask, “what do we double click on and focus on?”

Strength is this higher order construct. There’s many iterations of strength, just like there are many different pasta dishes.

 

This Week on the Physical Prep Podcast:

  • Jarred’s background and journey into the NBA.
  • Starting from the ground up, what Jarred would do to develop an ELITE basketball player physically.
  • The needs and demands of the modern NBA.
  • How valuable is strength? And what are some of the best ways to evaluate it?
  • Neurology vs. biology in strength, and why some may be more important than others at the elite level.
  • The role of isolation and/or machine-based exercises in programs (and how I’ve come full-circle on this thanks to guys like Jarred!)
  • Finding the balance between “movement optimization” while still training and developing neuromuscular adaptations.
  • The difference between kinetic and regional interdependence, and why one is potentially more valuable than the other.
  • Jarred’s advice to young fitness pros, and why content creation has been such a valuable outlet for him as a practitioner and coach.

 

 

Connect with Jarred:

 

Related Links:

 

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Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast!

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Thanks so much for your support – love and appreciate you!

The post Jarred Boyd on Adaptive Intent, Mental Models, and Building Elite Basketball Players 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.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

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