Speed makes any activity or sport more fun.
They all want it, and more of it.
I’d like to shed some light on what it really takes to be faster.
There are 3 keys to speed that most don’t know about let alone think about or pursue.
1. SKILLS versus drills. Running faster, accelerating and changing direction are coordinated skills that need to be taught. Old school thinking would merely have our athletes running drills until they’re exhausted.
The problem is that more reps with bad technique will make that poor technique more permanent as they get older.
Effort alone does not make an athlete faster. Skill does.
When we teach speed and agility we analyze body alignment, foot placement, arm mechanics, knee and shoulder positioning and a host of other factors.
When our kids improve these things…they get quicker and faster every time.
2. Consistency. Imagine only going to soccer practice once or twice every few weeks or so. No one in their right mind would expect any increase in playing ability….skills.
We’ve already established that speed is a skill. Just as in any sport skill, practicing and learning how to be faster on a consistent basis is the only way.
3. The time it takes to develop speed. We have to remember that a young athlete is constantly changing.
Their body’s change…their brain changes…their hormones change, their bone and muscle length change (and not at the same rate).
This is the short list of changes that can slow an athlete down.
By consistently training over a long period of time an athlete can work through these changes and come out the other side at their fastest.
When we put these 3 keys to speed together…it all leads back to one thing…
THE BRAIN.
We all know our body will do nothing without direction and connection with our brain.
When our kids learn how to be faster they literally change the anatomy of their brains as brain cells (neurons) start to wire together. This allows them to call on those specific group of neurons immediately when it’s time to sprint or change direction.
Now you can see that speed is:
- Learned skills not drills.
- Consistency versus random training
- Time versus a quick fix.
Our clients know we have their back. They’ll always get the very best in skills training for speed and agility. All they have to do is stay consistent over time.
Keep chasing greatness!