Youth Sport Speed Sprint Training

Speed training is another key tool to be used in the development of the athlete. One key issue involved with speed training is the appropriate use of principles from track sprint training to soccer, football, baseball, hockey, rugby, basketball. The differences between the track sprinter and a soccer player is the linear versus lateral movement and acceleration intervals. It is recommended that the focus is on fast feet drills as apposed to stride length drills. Acceleration training should be dominant in soccer, basketball, football etc...sprint training, some maximum speed work is required. Sprint training and development of better running mechanics have their place, faster players are more likely to demonstrate improvements in speed through improvements in power that are driven by strength training. The use of plyometrics is a widespread stable of the athletics world. The use of such methods requires careful consideration, especially in regard to the risk of injury.

When performing sprint training, competition is an essential and obvious means of ensuring intensity. In sprint and agility training, the competitive and social nature of the players should be harnessed and agility and quickness can be developed using tailored playground and physical education games such as bulldogs, handball and combines which develop athleticism as well as requiring acceleration, rapid changes in direction, strategy and inventiveness.

Speed endurance, or anaerobic endurance, refers to the players' ability to carry out repeated high intensity efforts. Working with athletes, it is important that the volume of anaerobic work is controlled to assist muscular gains, prevent over-use injuries and allow sufficient recovery.