“Do I need speed training?”  That is a question that I get asked a lot and sometimes it brings a smile to my face.  I’m a speed coach and you want to ask me if you could benefit from my services?  That is when I suppress my sarcastic response, “you want to ask me if you should give me money so that I can perform a service for you that I’ve decided to build my entire career on?  No, I wouldn’t do much for you.”

Or sometimes I get asked the same question followed by an “honestly.”  I sometimes ask my dentist if he thinks I should get a regular cleaning every 6 months and to honestly answer the question.

Alright, I’m being a wise a$$ here and a lot of people don’t ask the question in the way I make it sound.  But, there are a lot of people out there (parents, coaches, etc.) that still firmly believe that speed training won’t really do much for you except line my pockets with some fat cash.  You are either fast enough or you aren’t.

I firmly disagree (obviously or I wouldn’t be writing this article). Speed training has made leaps in bounds in the last 30 years when it really started to become popular.  In fact, in the last 5 years I have seen so many interesting research studies, my speed program has completely changed.  If you had trained with me 5 years ago, I would say over 75% of the program is different now.

Speed training really came into its own in the early 90’s.  That is when I had first heard of actual companies out there conducting speed training programs.  Up until that point, I had heard of only one trainer who was doing some type of speed training and that basically consisted of strapping you to a car and pulling the car a certain distance.

This particular school was an initial school for the Frappier Acceleration program that utilized super fast treadmills.  I knew a lot of athletes, amateur and professional, that were using these programs to improve their speed.  From there it just started taking off.

There are many different programs out there with many different philosophies.  I always say there are many ways to skin a cat.  You can get athletes faster many different ways, but ultimately I think all those philosophies boil down to two principles to help you get faster: improving technique and improving leg strength and power.

Let’s get back to the question.  “Do you think I need speed training?”  Then I would answer a resounding yes (I am assuming this is an athlete asking me the question and not a 45 year-old desperate housewife).  In the past weeks, I have given you speed programs for DeSean Jackson and Chris Johnson.  Arguably, these two football players are two of the fastest guys in the NFL and they still are doing workouts trying to get faster.  If speed is God-given, then why are they wasting their time doing this.

Because their speed can be improved, even as elite athletes.  It can be tweaked and that one little change to decrease their time even slightly might be the difference of them making a big play or not.

If it is good enough for them, then it is good enough for you.  Even if you have absolutely perfect form, which most of the athletes I have seen do not, then we can work on the power and explosiveness necessary to get you faster for your sport.  We spend all of our time on that then technique and you should see a difference.

If your athlete is young (9 or 10), it can still be beneficial.  The emphasis is put more on technique than power at that age.  I was told awhile back that learning a different language is a lot easier when you are younger than when you are older.  You are a sponge then and can absorb a lot of stimulus, whereas the older people are settled in their ways and it is tougher to learn a different language (something like that).

Speed training is the same way.  As a younger athlete, I can work on the technique more, they can get that down, so as they get older, we don’t have to spend as much time on that and can spend more time on the explosive drills their body will be able to handle as a more mature person.

What I do say is this: speed training is something you have to commit to.  Meaning it is just like any type of instructional service.  You need to be placed on a consistent program for you to see the results that you desire.  You can’t do a session here, a session two weeks later.  You need to commit to the plan laid out for you and stick with it.  Then you will get faster.

So, yes, you can benefit from speed training, but if you don’t have the time to train consistently (at least 8 weeks minimum) then it might not be the right time for you.  Once you are able to do a speed program, then I do have athletes that will work with me for a few weeks inbetween their sports.  They are compressed more intense sessions to help the transition and try to stimulate those fast twitch fibers a little more to prep for their new sport.

Since they have been through the program before, they know the drills and the sessions flow smoother.  It isn’t so much about teaching, but re-training you for speed.

I’m passionate about what I do and obviously feel I can help every athlete develop their speed.  So, if you ask me if your child needs speed training, be prepared for a YES and then a lengthy reply from me.  This is quality training that will only better your athlete’s chances of having a great playing career for whatever his/her sport may be and however long they would play it.