Growing the Fast Athlete

In an age where role models are most often Sports figures, parents are looking for an “EDGE” that will allow the boy or girl to achieve the highest levels of athletic performance. As we scan the sports headlines of the last quarter century or so we see time and time again the lengths and heights that athletes are willing to scale in efforts to attain that “Edge”. From the current steroid turmoil in major league baseball to the new and un-chartered science of “Gene Doping”, from the hall of fame caliber professional athletes to the kid around the corner that plays T-ball at the local park, from classic sports phrases like, “No Pain, No Gain!, and “Winning is not everything, winning is the only thing”, we find that sports participants and spectators alike are all looking for the “Edge”! well I am here to tell you that the one thing that separates the average players from the elite is speed and quickness! For years coaches and trainers have believed that speed was something you where either born with or not, well I am here to tell you that , Yes you can teach speed!!!

5 keys for growing a super fast athlete

Start Young

The earlier you begin to introduce speed specific activities in the day to day life of your child the better. Yes some are born faster than others, that’s just simple genetics, but all have the ability to greatly enhance attributes that promote speed and quickness. Now I am not advocating that new parents should come home from the hospital and immediately start their boy or girl on strict training regiments, but rather that you incorporate activities designed to build a strong base for training in later years. Parents should try low impact, fun sports related games as early as possible, like swimming for babies and cycling for toddlers. Remember if you want your kid to be above average, “Start early”

Organized Track

All across the country you can find track and running clubs for youth. Most track clubs have a few ex-collegiate athlete as well current high quality coaches that will provide your young athlete with a fundamental understanding of proper running/sprinting form and breathing techniques. High level training allows the naturally gifted athlete to become exceptional and the less gifted runners attain above average performance. Bottom line is that there are multitude of highly trained individuals throughout most communities crying to share their expertise and knowledge.

Hills, Hills, and more Hills

When most sports enthusiast think of hill training, images of the late Walter Payton’s famous grueling hill training outside of Chicago come to mind or the “Up-chuck” hill training that allowed Jerry Rice to become arguably the greatest football player ever. Running up inclines create muscle power that allows the athlete to have instant explosion on the feel or court. To start this power building process early on in the growth of your young athlete I suggest that frequent hiking and/or stadium step training be incorporated into daily activities.

Over Speed Training

Over speed training is a Plyometric principal that allows the trainee to artificially generate above normal speed by the aid of some outside force, usually elastic bands or by running down hill, (declines). Sprinting Speed is the act of self-propulsion by utilizing the combined efforts of ones balance , motor skills, power, strength, and coordination to cover a distance in a given time. Over speed training allow the athlete to train at a level far superior than they would be under their on power, creating a reference for muscle memory.

Positive Enforcement

90% of success and failure are controlled by the mental state. The easiest way ensure that your young athlete will succeed is to constantly create an atmosphere of Positive self image, If they think they are fast they will be fast and continue to work at their goals. Generation-X believes that they can conquer any and everything so parents please do no tell them other wise. I utilize special training drills called “Winning Drills”, that allow the trainee to experience the feeling of Winning the race or drill !

Parents remember, Winners are not born, they are trained !