Garga Caserta-Thorns FC strength and conditioning coach-on maximizing speed, injury prevention, and the Brazilian capoeira
In today’s episode, I interview Garga Caserta. Garga is the Thorns FC performance management consultant and strength and conditioning coach. He is the owner of GC Strength,a sports performance center specifically for soccer players. He is also the father of two dogs, and soon-to-be human father, as he and his wonderful wife, Molly, are expecting a baby boy.
In this episode, we talk about how Garga grew up playing futsal in the streets of Brasil and how as a child, he had already calculated how many World Cups in which he was going to play in his lifetime. We discuss how Garga first gained interest in the power of movement through the capoeira, a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics and music.
In the second portion of the interview, we dive into technical aspects of speed, agility, strength, and all things mobility.
Garga talks about:
-the most common mistake athletes make while training
-the importance of a meaningful warm-up
-how to prevent injuries, particularly acl tears
-the key components to increasing your speed
– why he makes Thorns FC players, wear gps and heart rate monitors every training
-why coach Mark Parsons and he plan out every single training session before our season starts
and more.
If you stick around to the end of the interview, Garga has a special gift for you!
I hope you enjoy my conversation with Garga Caserta.
Shownotes
:50 Who is Garga?
4:00 Garga’s art of coaching
5:21 His upbringing in Brazil
7:47 How and why did Garga move to the US.
10:07 What inspired his interest in movement?
17:00 When did Garga stop playing soccer?
22:06 Why did Garga come to Portland?
23:18 Garga’s transition to the Thorns conditioning coach
24:45 How does Garga prepare for Thorn’s pregame warmups?
27:35 What is central nervous activation response?
30:09 Benefits of warmups
30:48 Biggest mistake of running form
33:24 Tip for increasing running speed
36:08 Is speed and agility innate or taught?
37:47 How much does weight training influence speed?
41:01 Does Garga like heavy or light lifting?
43:46 Why is doing more not always better?
48:41 Importance of building fundamentals
51:00 biggest mistake rushing preparation
51:50 Garga & Mark Parson’s preplanning training sessions
55:07 Garga’s lighter day schedule
57:16 GPS systems & heart rate monitors
1:03:04 Garga’s video replay analysis
1:07.41 Garga’s new company
1:11.54 Fan questions
1:13.45 How can female athletes decrease the possibility of ACL injury?
1:16.35 What is the best method to increase speed and stamina?
1:18.04 How important is stretching?
1:20.01 What is one of Garga’s craziest beliefs?
1:21.38 Is there a body prep you do every day?
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