Today, with most bowl games over and combine training under way across the country, we continue our Training Day series with Corey Taylor CTSP Sports Performance in Louisville. Corey is no joke as a trainer and has carved out a successful niche in the business despite being based far away from Miami, Los Angeles and other popular places for combine prep.

You make it clear during training that you have a regimen, it works, and you don’t deviate from it, no matter the player. How does that affect your relationship with players, positively and negatively? 

“It has a positive effect as we develop a close relationship due to the mutual respect we have as well as respect and trust in the training process. I let my players see my true passion for coaching and they know I give them everything I have in every session. Training at my place is not for everyone. We have a culture and a process that has been very successful, so if it’s not a good fit and they are not willing to commit and trust the process, then I’ll send the player home. I can’t afford to allow one player to ruin the process for my other guys. Too much on the line to be lost!”

When a player has to depart for all-star play, is that a positive or negative for a player’s ability to improve his body and skills? 

“I think it affects the combine invitees more than pro day guys. If a player goes to a late bowl game and has an all-star invitation, there is very little room for error in their training process. Most of the time it only leaves combine guys 4-6 weeks to get dialed in and make improvements. That’s why you see a lot of players improve their numbers at their pro day because of the additional preparation time.”

Players often build a stronger bond with their trainers during combine prep than their agents, financial planners, or other key advisors. What do you attribute that to? 

“Trust! These guys are spending 8-10 weeks with us and are essentially putting their careers in our hands. There must be a strong bond and trust so they are not only physically but mentally prepared.”

What’s different, good or bad, about training in Louisville? Are there pluses? Minuses? 

“A good thing about training in Louisville is there are less distractions and I am able to create an environment for laser-like focus to get players prepared for the biggest interview of their lives. There are no minuses. Louisville is not a sexy place to train but it’s a time for the players to focus on their one opportunity to make it to the league. Their job is to prepare both physically and mentally for the combine/pro day. There is a lot of investment in these kids so there is no time for vacation. It’s money time!”

In the last five years, would you say the combine prep business has changed for the better or worse? 

“I believe it has gotten worse.. I don’t see how you can give players the quality of training they need to dominate their combine/pro day when you have 30-50 guys in a training facility. Players also get so much bad information on training. Negative things get said about training at my facility because I only take 6-8 guys each year and not 30-50. However, every player that trains with me makes notable improvements on their 40 and other tests.”