Close Space, Not Give Space: The Mindset Behind Elite Pass Rushers
What if the instinct to pull away from pressure is exactly what’s holding you back?
In this episode of the Sam Acho Podcast, Sam Acho and Clif Marshall sit down with Ben Creamer, Director of Sports Science for the Washington Huskies football team, for a conversation that starts with football and ends up being about something much bigger.
Ben talks about his approach to training athletes, his background in martial arts, and the lesson Clif taught him that changed the way he coaches pass rushers: close space, don’t give space .Instead of backing away when an opponent comes at you, learn to face the contact, stay balanced, and make your next move.
That idea becomes a lot more powerful when Ben starts talking about life outside the field.
He shares the challenges of moving his family across the country, the weight of trying to be present for his wife and three daughters while working long hours, and a life-changing moment when he pulled a man from a burning car. For Ben, that experience raised a deeper question about purpose and why we’re here.
The conversation eventually turns to faith, and Ben and Sam talk honestly about something many people struggle with: feeling like we have to earn God’s approval. What happens when we stop performing for approval and start understanding that grace is about relationship?
It’s a conversation about football, training, fatherhood, faith, pressure, and the moments that force us to decide whether we’re going to run from the fight or face it.
Close space. Don’t give space.
Sometimes the lesson on the football field is the same lesson we need in life.
Listen to the full conversation with Ben Creamer and see where it takes you.
In this episode of the Sam Acho Podcast, Sam Acho and Clif Marshall sit down with Ben Creamer, Director of Sports Science for the Washington Huskies football team, for a conversation that starts with football and ends up being about something much bigger.
Ben talks about his approach to training athletes, his background in martial arts, and the lesson Clif taught him that changed the way he coaches pass rushers: close space, don’t give space .Instead of backing away when an opponent comes at you, learn to face the contact, stay balanced, and make your next move.
That idea becomes a lot more powerful when Ben starts talking about life outside the field.
He shares the challenges of moving his family across the country, the weight of trying to be present for his wife and three daughters while working long hours, and a life-changing moment when he pulled a man from a burning car. For Ben, that experience raised a deeper question about purpose and why we’re here.
The conversation eventually turns to faith, and Ben and Sam talk honestly about something many people struggle with: feeling like we have to earn God’s approval. What happens when we stop performing for approval and start understanding that grace is about relationship?
It’s a conversation about football, training, fatherhood, faith, pressure, and the moments that force us to decide whether we’re going to run from the fight or face it.
Close space. Don’t give space.
Sometimes the lesson on the football field is the same lesson we need in life.
Listen to the full conversation with Ben Creamer and see where it takes you.
Creators and Guests
Host
Clif Marshall
Coach Clif Marshall enters his ninth year as the Performance Director at Ignition where he is responsible for the design and implementation of both the strength and speed programs. Marshall works as a Fitness Ambassador for the NFL. With 15 years of professional experience, Marshall has trained more than 400 pro football players, including first round NFL draft picks, Super Bowl Champions and Pro Bowlers. Luke Kuechly, AJ Green, Geno Atkins and Devin McCourty have been some of Marshall's most notable clients over the years. Under Marshall's Direction Ignition has trained over 40+ NFL Combine Top Performers and a number of NFL Players who hold all time combine records for their position groups. Currently Ignition and Coach Marshall have at least one player that they have trained on all 32 NFL Clubs.
