Return to play hinges on coordination, not speed alone - Stu McMillan

Stu McMillan explains why rehabilitation and return to play should focus on coordination and foot-to-ground interaction rather than speed.

Return to play hinges on coordination, not speed alone. In this clip, Stu McMillan breaks down why progressing athletes by simply moving faster misses the real work. Walking, jogging, running, striding, and sprinting each carry distinct coordination patterns. Performance emerges through clear phase transitions, not gradual acceleration within the same pattern. That is why early rehab must prioritize the foot-to-ground interaction. This pattern underpins both performance and durability, especially in sports that demand repeated high-speed efforts across long durations. Rehab that waits until the final stages to address this coordination leaves athletes underprepared for the demands they return to. Effective return to play loads the pattern early, deliberately, and repeatedly. This lens changes how progression gets built. 📽️ Head here to start your free trial and watch Stu's full presentation 'Hip Extension & Acceleration' (Part 1 and 2) in full loom.ly/xtFVemY