One of the most difficult aspects of speed training is convincing athletes, parents and coaches how much speed changes the game of football. During my 25 years as a sport speed specialist, I have had the pleasure of working with many athletes who have transformed their athletic ability by incorporating speed-specific training. 

Recent feedback from football players has specifically expressed how incorporating more speed into their game resulted in on-field success:  

• “Guess what Coach Ken? They now call me a sideline-to-sideline linebacker.”
• “My HS coach moved me from DL to RB because they said I was faster than they remember!”
• “My offensive coordinator developed a tackle eligible play just for me!” 

I have also worked with athletes in other sports that have become successful after integrating more speed into their athleticism:

• “Hey, Coach Ken, my soccer coach change my position to forward and I scored two goals.”
• “I set the 400m record at my school and I qualified to CIF, I’m headed to state, I’m pumped.”
• “I made my lacrosse team and they feed me the ball all the time now. I can fly!”

Here is a short list of why speed is the greatest secret weapon an athlete can possess and some of the positive changes that can occur when you get faster.

The benefits of being faster than your opponent are innumerable:

• Acceleration. When an athlete is able to quickly utilize their speed, they can begin to accelerate away from an opponent, before the opponent has had a chance to react. If an athlete can accelerate to their top-end speed before their opponent, then a break away will almost always result, even if the opponent possesses a higher top-end speed.
• Deceleration. When an athlete becomes faster, their body adjusts to the new speed, which will begin to feel more controllable. The ability to control your body more effectively at higher rates of speed will also help an athlete to better decelerate and even come to a complete stop, before their opponent. This type of control will allow an athlete to re-accelerate at many speed choices with body control, which will often result in an opponent losing position.
• Fatigue less quickly. When an athlete incorporates speed-specific training, they don't fatigue as quickly because they are more efficient and maximize their effort.
• Better body balance. When athletes are fast, their body can make adjustments more quickly with balance.
• Relax. The fastest athletes are always efficient. These athletes do not tense up during competition; instead they can relax during competition while controlling their physical and emotional intensity. This control results in fewer muscle strains, pulls, soreness or cramps.
• Leverage. When athletes are fast and efficient, they smooth throughout their movements which allows them to make movements sooner and leverage an opponent, before the opponent is ready.
• Recognize and anticipate. When athletes are faster, they simply get their first. When they are first to recognize and react, it provides more options for the faster athlete.
• Possess more composure. When athletes are fast, they have a secret weapon, which creates supreme confidence heading into completion because no one can get by or catch them. The faster athlete can rely on his training and remain cool, calm and composed during the competition.

With faster athletes, a coach has the flexibility to move players around to multiple positions to create beneficial matchups. This ability is a huge threat and makes it incredibly difficult on an opponent as they are forced to adjustment. Forcing an opponent to constantly make adjustments will often lead to communication breakdown, confusion and mistakes.

Work on your speed!

Be Well, Be Fast!

Visit www.kennethdtaylor.com for speed training books for athletes, parents, and coaches. Subscribe to "TheSpeedDr1" on YouTube for free speed training videos. Kenneth D. Taylor is a SAQ pioneer and Sport Speed Expert who lives in Southern California and has trained well over 5,000 athletes over 20 years.  He holds a degree in Exercise Physiology and Sports Science.  He was a world class track athlete and played in the NFL for the 1985 Chicago Bears Super Bowl XX team and the San Diego Chargers.