Lee Taft on Braking, Directional Steps, and Building Elite Basketball Speed

Lee Taft on Braking, Directional Steps, and Building Elite Basketball Speed

Author: Mike Robertson March 14, 2025 Duration: 1:13:12

Do you want to help your athletes get faster?

More explosive?

And teach them how to move effectively in the process?

If so, you’re going to love this week’s episode with Lee Taft!

From PE teacher to world-renowned speed coach, Lee has always questioned the current dogma when it comes to speed training.

And in this episode, we’re going to break down (get it) some of the hottest topics in speed training today.

The importance of heel contact in speed training.

Why repositioning steps are so important for accelerating effectively.

And finally, how to speed training fits into an overarching S&C program.

Quite simply if you want to help your athletes get faster, you need to listen to this episode RIGHT NOW!

 

Young athletes are exposed to these high thresholds and demands in sport, but not every kid has the ability to decelerate their body well.

– Lee Taft

 

This Week on the Physical Prep Podcast:

  • Lee’s journey from PE teacher to elite speed coach.
  • Why Lee was always curious and questioning others when it came to speed training.
  • The power of band resistance, and the numerous ways you can use it to improve speed and agility.
  • Coaching efficiency first, then speed second.
  • How to effectively coach and cue closeouts in basketball.
  • The power of the heels, and why cuing athletes to be “on the toes” is a mistake.
  • Repositioning steps, and the difference between a plyo step and a hip turn (this distinction was new to me!)
  • Why pivots are slow and coaches should stop using them.
  • The power of finding good angles in speed training.
  • High-quality speed training shouldn’t take forever!
  • Why the real juice is in teaching athletes to move more effectively.

 

 

Connect with Lee:

 

Related Links:

 

Level Up Your Program Design with Train Heroic!

Are you tired of using clunky, antiquated program design tools like Microsoft Word or Excel?

Are you ready to level up your programming, and make it far more engaging to your clients and athletes?

If so, you need to check out Train Heroic.

I’ve been using TrainHeroic for years now both here at RTS and at IFAST, and I can tell you the user experience both as an athlete and coach is truly second to none.

To learn more and start your free 14-day trial, just follow this link to learn more about Train Heroic.

Not only will you get your first 14 days free, but it’s just $10/month to get started officially after that.

So don’t wait any longer – head over trainheroic.co/rts and start crafting beautiful programs your clients and athletes will love TODAY!

 

Subscribe, Rate & Share!

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

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple PodcastsSpotify, and YouTube Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via FacebookTwitter, and Instagram or visit our website.

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

The post Lee Taft on Braking, Directional Steps, and Building Elite Basketball Speed 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

Physical Preparation Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Brandon Cullen on Niches, Marketing, and Building a Fitness Franchise [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:16
Born into an entrepreneurial family in Ontario, Canada, Brandon Cullen was raised with a front-row seat to hard work and high expectations. Pushed by his father to excel both in life and on the ice, Brandon’s grit landed…
Jeff Aldham on Filling in the S&C Gaps in High School Basketball [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:36
How do we keep our young hoopers healthy? What are they doing well in their training? And what can they improve upon? And what do THE BEST young players do that others can’t or won’t? If you train young athletes in any s…
Ryan Patrick on Speed Training Mistakes and the Allure of Big Weights [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:04
Training young athletes is tough these days – especially if you’re in the private sector. With so many athletes getting training at their high school, playing sports year round, and struggling to stay consistent with the…
Brady Welsh on Ego, Humility, and Communication as a Strength Coach [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:02
If you were a basketball strength coach, what do you think you could learn working for a coach with NBA experience like Aaron McKie? Or what about a guy like Matt Painter, with his 19 seasons at Purdue? Or what about the…
5 Ways to Become a More Efficient Coach and Program Designer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:14
Unless you’ve been living under a rock the past 2 months, it’s hard to ignore what Elon Musk has been doing with DOGE – or the Department of Government Efficiency. And while I’m not here to play politics, one thing I thi…
5 Reasons You’re Feeling Stuck in the Fitness Industry [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:09
As an adult, it’s NORMAL to feel stuck at certain points in your career… …and I believe this is even more true in the fitness industry than others! Look, I’m 24 years in and I know there were numerous times along the way…