Using Technology to Educate in Offseason Training with Jen Jones

Coach Jen Jones talks about how she uses technology to help educate and develop her athletes in the offseason and the methodology behind that development process.

On Demand Webinar

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Webinar Summary: Maximizing Sports Performance with Velocity-Based Training (VBT) at Auburn University

Auburn University's Assistant AD of Women’s Basketball Sports Performance, Jen Jones, shared her expertise on integrating Perch VBT technology into off-season training programs. With over 25 years of experience in strength and conditioning for women’s basketball, Jones highlighted how adopting real-time data feedback enhanced athlete performance, team culture, and education.

Background & Early VBT Experience

Jones first encountered VBT at Texas A&M, though initial challenges included insufficient equipment for comprehensive team tracking. Over time, as technology advanced and resources improved at Auburn, she fully embraced VBT, particularly with Perch’s camera-based system.

Key Goals for Off-Season Training

The program focused on:

Increasing performance strength (e.g., higher jumps, faster speeds)
Leveraging data-driven athlete development
Creating a competitive culture within the weight room

Jones emphasized the importance of moving beyond traditional one-rep max (1RM) assessments to instead monitor velocity zones, which allowed athletes to improve explosiveness and real-game skills without lifting maximum loads.

Implementation Highlights

Progressive Overload & Periodization: Training cycles featured dynamic and max-effort days using box squats, chain squats, and cleans, with data tracked through Perch.
Competitive Leaderboards: Displaying velocity-based rankings on TV screens fostered internal competition. Athletes, motivated to outperform their peers, consistently gave 100% effort.
Educational Impact: Real-time feedback enabled athletes to understand and apply intent in each lift. Jones utilized this feedback for both performance improvement and athlete recovery awareness, emphasizing data-driven decisions around rest and recovery routines.
Individualized Training Adjustments: Athletes with limited weightlifting experience benefitted from adaptive load adjustments during sessions. For example, a 6’5” athlete with previous knee pain saw substantial gains in both strength and confidence through consistent tracking and progressive increases.

Key Performance Metrics

Metrics included:

Countermovement jump (CMJ) velocity for weekly readiness checks
Force-velocity and power-load curves to assess training effectiveness
Mid-thigh isometric pulls for baseline strength comparisons

The combination of Perch dashboard analytics and secondary tools like force plates allowed Jones to validate her programming decisions and tailor training to athlete-specific needs.

Results and Reflections

The program achieved:

Increased strength metrics across all key lifts
Improved athlete understanding of velocity-strength relationships
Full team buy-in, as athletes recognized how training directly enhanced on-court performance

Future Directions

Jones expressed plans to further streamline programming through Perch's workout planning features. Though she currently integrates software like BridgeAthletic, the success of pre-set VBT programs within Perch points to full adoption in the near future.

This webinar exemplified how sports technology like Perch can revolutionize performance training by providing real-time, actionable insights. For strength coaches, it demonstrated the potential of VBT to not only increase athlete output but also enhance team culture and long-term development.

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