Asymmetry-Led Training Adjustment
Measure uneven workload, then adapt the next session to what the body did
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Time to result
- ~weeks to results
- Steps
- 5
- Confidence
- 95%
Grover recounts manually reviewing Michael Jordan's games and counting directional steps, landings, and side-specific use because consumer trackers were not available. He then used the observed imbalance to plan the next morning's training, sometimes assigning different weights, repetitions, or time to each side. The mechanism is feedback-based individualisation: capture what the athlete actually did, distinguish side-specific demand, and alter the next workload rather than applying a symmetrical plan automatically. The transcript presents this as Grover's historical coaching practice, not as a clinical protocol or evidence that a particular imbalance requires a standard correction. Application should remain within qualified coaching and medical boundaries.
Origin
While working with Michael Jordan, Grover says he rewatched games on videotape and manually counted steps and landings by direction and side. He used those observations to vary the next workout.
Core principles
- 01The next plan should reflect the previous workload
- 02Whole-body totals can hide meaningful asymmetry
- 03Different sides may need different loads
- 04Observation is useful only when it changes preparation
How to run it
- 1
Capture the event
Observe or record the performance closely enough to distinguish repeated movements and side-specific demand.
Pro tip Use consistent definitions so observations can be compared across events.
Watch out A rough count may not support precise conclusions.
- 2
Separate the workload
Break the total into relevant dimensions such as left and right steps, landings, or other sport-specific actions.
Pro tip Track only measures that can plausibly inform the next session.
- 3
Interpret the asymmetry
Review the difference in the context of the sport, athlete, and specific event before treating it as meaningful.
Pro tip Discuss the observation with the athlete and relevant performance staff.
Watch out An asymmetry is an observation, not by itself a diagnosis or injury.
- 4
Adapt the next load
Where appropriate, vary exercises, repetitions, weight, or time instead of automatically training both sides identically.
Pro tip Make the smallest adjustment justified by the available information.
Watch out Exercise prescription and rehabilitation require qualified oversight.
- 5
Monitor the response
Observe the athlete's performance and feedback, then continue, reverse, or refine the adjustment.
In the wild
Grover says he counted Jordan's left and right steps and landings from game video. If one side had done substantially more work, he varied the weight, repetitions, or training time between sides the following morning.
→ The next session reflected the workload Grover had observed in the game.
Common mistakes
Treating every difference as a defect
The transcript supports observing and adapting to workload, not diagnosing every asymmetry as harmful.
Collecting data without adapting
Grover's counts mattered because they changed the next workout rather than becoming unused measurements.
Is it for you?
Best for
It is best for qualified coaches and performance teams working with repeated movement data and individual athlete context.
Not ideal for
It is not ideal for unsupervised injury treatment or for prescribing exercise from a single observation without appropriate expertise.
From the transcript
“how can i prepare him for his next workout in the morning if i don't know how much physical activity”
“one side is going to need different training than the other side is going to need”
From the episode
The Man Who Coached Michael Jordan AND Kobe Bryant To WIN!: Tim Grover