At 292 Performance, our philosophy is built on collaboration, connection, doing things a little differently and making a meaningful impact on performance. Our founder, Dr. Ben Rosenblatt, shared these principles on the Supporting Champions Podcast, where he discussed how we help teams achieve high-performance success. Here’s how we bring our philosophy to life, illustrated with real-world examples from our coaching experience.
Meeting Athletes Where They Are
“Our first principle is to meet athletes at their current level, understanding their routines, challenges, and potential barriers. By building on existing frameworks rather than imposing drastic changes, we ensure sustainable growth.”
Example: Ben observed inconsistent strength training habits while working with the England football team. Instead of overhauling routines, he introduced manageable daily sessions to build strength progressively. This approach maintained player engagement while addressing gaps in preparation.
Microdosing Strength Training
“Consistency is key to building resilience and reducing injuries. We employ a “micro-dosing” approach to strength training, integrating short, focused sessions into daily routines. “
Example: In the lead-up to the 2018 World Cup, the England squad performed two sets of exercises daily, including jump squats, hamstring bridges, and hopping drills. This approach resulted in a 27% increase in peak power and a 23% improvement in hamstring strength over two months, all while minimising soreness and ensuring consistent training attendance.
Gamification and Engagement
“Engagement drives consistency, and we use gamification to make training and recovery enjoyable. By blending fun with purpose, we create an environment where athletes thrive.”
Example: Ice baths became a favourite among players with the introduction of a “lucky dip” game involving random-duration egg timers. This playful twist reduced reluctance and boosted participation.
Strategic Tournament Preparation
“Long-term planning and a strategic approach to preparation are fundamental to our philosophy. Success is built on understanding the demands of competition and addressing gaps well in advance.”
Example: For the Rio 2016 Olympics, GB Hockey needed to prepare for eight matches in 13 days. Through durability mapping, Ben collaborated with coaches to optimise endurance and recovery strategies. This meticulous preparation contributed to the team’s historic gold medal win.
Collaborative Problem Solving
“Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. By maintaining transparency and aligning with existing systems, we ensure all stakeholders work cohesively toward shared goals.”
Example: When working with professional footballers who sought external support, 292 Performance coaches share every detail of training programs with their club teams. This transparent approach fostered trust and ensures seamless integration of external coaching with club programs.
Principle-Based Decision Making
“Every training program we design is treated as an adaptable experiment, guided by principles rather than rigid rules. This flexibility allows us to respond effectively to real-world challenges.”
Example: At the 2018 World Cup, the England team’s strength program, named “bulletproofing,” was continuously refined based on player feedback. By predicting soreness levels and setting clear expectations, the program achieved consistent participation and measurable improvements.
Holistic Support and Personalisation
“We take a comprehensive approach to athlete development, addressing physical, mental, and tactical needs.”
Example: Ahead of the Qatar World Cup, Ben’s durability mapping identified individual priorities like recovery protocols and sprinting capabilities. This personalised strategy ensured players were physically and mentally ready for tournament demands.
At 292 Performance, our philosophy is more than just a framework; it is within our philosophy to empower athletes and teams to reach their full potential. We like to do this by combining science, creativity, and collaboration.
To listen to the full episode with Supporting Champions, hosted by Steve Ingham, please click here
Steve Ingham, performance scientist, leader and author, explores the science, art, purpose and origins of high performance. Steve interviews and discusses these concepts with the people who have been there and done it, whether it’s achieving at the highest level, being the driving force in making remarkable performance happen or those who have explored and researched aspects of human performance in real depth.
