The path to the top is not always linear. For Jill Costanza, it included returning to school and stops in collegiate and military performance before becoming Director of Sport Science and Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach with the National Football League (NFL) Detroit Lions. Costanza describes today’s sport science landscape as a “Wild West,” where definitions differ by perspective. Her focus centers on assessing the athlete and program effectiveness against the demands of the game to identify holistic interventions. She outlines how intentional systems, a clear communication funnel, and data visualizations help athletes and stakeholders understand the “why,” build buy-in, and tap into competitiveness. Addressing common misconceptions, Costanza clarifies that elite athletes can still have foundational qualities that need rewiring. She emphasizes movement quality, proprioception, and breathing while adapting for individual needs and neurological fatigue. Learn how to build sport science systems, turn insights into action, and keep progressing on your professional path. Reach out to Jill by email at: jill.costanza@lions.nfl.net | Find Eric on Instagram: @ericmcmahoncscs and LinkedIn: @ericmcmahoncscs Join the NSCA Football Special Interest Group (SIG) and explore 24 other specialized communities designed to support your development on the Special Interest Groups page.

This video demonstrates proper landing technique for a box jump, as well as common errors and a progression for teaching proper landing technique.

Exercise Technique: Depth Jump

Learn optimal setup, execution, and landing mechanics to maximize power output and to best prepare the joint structures to tolerate greater stresses later in training. In this session from the NSCA 2016 TSAC Annual Training, Loren Landow identifies progressions based on competency and ability—from low amplitude, bilateral jumps to single-leg deceleration drills.

This article provides eight important considerations when designing a program to optimally build the glutes.

This infographic outlines a three-step process to determine the efficacy of selected jump metrics and the ability to use them in practice.

This infographic highlights the effects on performance measures from separate vertical or horizontal jump training programs in elite handball players.

This article will analyze and compare squats with different loading positions to draw out practical applications for the personal trainer.

This infographic displays the meta-analysis details of 36 studies and the effects of postactivation potentiation with heavy loads on vertical jump performance.

This article demonstrates the benefits and limitations of the front squat and goblet squat in training for the abdominals.