Episode 34: Season 7, Episode 2: Abby Sherard: "Stress The Body To Handle The Demand"

In this weeks episode of The Podcast, Abby Sherard joins Jay DeMayo to discuss the changing demands of college basketball strength and conditioning. With transfers, international competition, new coaching staffs, and constantly changing rosters, Abby explains why athletes must be evaluated individually instead of placed into a one-size-fits-all program.She emphasizes giving athletes time to recover and move independently before beginning a demanding summer program focused on foundational movements, volume, heavy lifting, tempo work, and conditioning. The conversation also explores how coaches can balance structure with athlete autonomy, communicate individualized plans, and prepare players for the entire season—not just the first practice.Abby’s overall philosophy is simple: meet athletes where they are, identify what they need, train the basics well, and help them become independent athletes who understand how to train, recover, and care for themselves beyond college basketball. Key Topics Summer training strategies for college basketball Managing roster volatility and transfer athletes Building trust and autonomy with athletes Individualized programs based on athlete needs Handling stress and recovery in training International athlete management and expectations Sound Bites "Give athletes space to be themselves" "Meet athletes where they are in their development" "Handle stress better by doing simple things well" Chapter List 00:00 — Intro and Abby’s background 03:41 — The new reality of college basketball rosters 04:35 — Evaluating athletes during the summer 07:14 — Why transfer summers are so important 08:30 — Giving athletes autonomy in May 09:56 — Building individualized summer programs 10:54 — Training volume and handling stress 12:16 — Adjusting training for a younger roster 13:13 — Foot training and conditioning foundations 14:13 — Trust, autonomy, and athlete buy-in