One of the big questions I get in from parents and prospective athletes is about speed training…

When? How often? Etc..

This may shock some people but the vast majority of parents I talk to I tell them not to worry about it just yet… especially if the athlete new to organized training…

Is speed training important? Of course.

Can all athletes refine their technique and mechanics? Of course

However, there are a few factors that drive my decision:

– Time is limited. Many young athletes have a lot on their plate and can only realistically train a few times a week. If that is the case I prefer to grab the low hanging fruit and get stronger and more fit first. That will have the biggest bearing on their performance short term and long term. This means that 2 strength and conditioning sessions per week is way better than 1 strength and 1 speed or no strength and 2 speed.

– Information overload. Many times adding training to an athletes schedule is enough to overload them physically and mentally. They are in a new environment with a ton of new stimuli, they are learning new stuff every time they are in the gym and for some it can be frustrating. At the very least let them get settled for a month or two.. learn the fundamentals, learn their way around the gym then if they have time throw in speed training.

– A solid foundation of strength and fitness will make the speed training more effective. Many young athletes just aren’t strong enough in the legs, hips, core, basically everywhere to get any carryover out of speed training.

– Most athletes are already running a lot. Yeah, it might not be full speed and it might not be pretty or under the watchful eye of a speed coach… but they already run a ton in their sports.

Ok, if they have the extra time and they have built a half decent base of strength and conditioning then we can begin to think about adding a session or two of speed.

On another note, all of this stuff takes consistency over an extended period of time. The athletes that maximize their potential start young. One of the biggest problems I encounter is older HS athletes trying to cram 3-6 years of training into 6 months.. it usually doesn’t turn out too well.