Speed Training |
Speed is the quickness of movement of a limb, whether this is the legs of a runner or the arm of the shot putter. Speed is an integral part of every sport and can be expressed as any one of, or combination of, the following:
Speed is influenced by the athlete's mobility, special strength, strength endurance and technique.
Energy for absolute speed is supplied by the anaerobic alactic pathway. The anaerobic (without oxygen) alactic (without lactate) energy system is best challenged as an athlete approaches top speed between 30 and 60m while running at 95% to 100% of maximum. This speed component of anaerobic metabolism lasts for approximately six seconds and should be trained when no muscle fatigue is present (usually after 24 to 36 hours of rest)
The technique of sprinting must be rehearsed at slow speeds and then transferred to runs at maximum speed. The stimulation, excitation and correct firing order of the motor units, composed of a motor nerve (Neuron) and the group of muscles that it supplies, makes it possible for high frequency movements to occur. The whole process is not totally clear but the complex coordination and timing of the motor units and muscles most certainly must be rehearsed at high speeds to implant the correct patterns.
Flexibility and a correct warm up will affect stride length and frequency (strike rate). Stride length can be improved by developing muscular strength, power, strength endurance and running technique. The development of speed is highly specific and to achieve it we should ensure that :
It is important to remember that the improvement of running speed is a complex process which is controlled by the brain and nervous system. In order for a runner to move more quickly, the leg muscles of course have to contract more quickly, but the brain and nervous systems also have to learn to control these faster movements efficiently. If you maintain some form of speed training throughout the year, your muscles and nervous system do not loose the feel of moving fast and the brain will not have to re-learn the proper control patterns at a later date.
In the training week, speed work should be carried out after a period of rest or light training. In a training session, speed work should be conducted after the warm up and any other training should be of a low intensity.
| Event | Speed Session |
| 100 m | 10 * 30m at race pace from blocks with full
recovery 3-4 * 80m at race pace with full recovery |
| 800 m | 5 * 200m at goal race pace with 10 sec recovery 4 * 400m at 2-3 sec faster than current race pace with 2 min recovery |
| 1500 m | 4 * 400m at goal race pace with 15-10 sec recovery 4-5 * 800m at 5-6 secs per 800m faster than goal race pace with 6 min recovery |
| 5,000 m | 4-5 * 800m at 4 sec per 800m faster than goal race pace
with 60 secs recovery 3 * 1 mile at 6 sec per mile faster than goal race pace with 2 min recovery |
| 10,000 m | 3 * 2000m at 3 secs per 200m faster than goal race pace
with 2 min recovery Five 5 min intervals at current 5k race pace with 3 min recovery |
| Marathon | Six 1 mile repeats at 15 sec per mile faster that goal
race pace with 1 min recovery 3 * 3000m at 10k race pace with 6 min recovery |
Sprinting speed can be developed in a number of ways:
I am sure you can appreciate the potential dangers with these two methods.
Downhill sprinting is a safer alternative to developing sprinting speed. A hill with a maximum of a 15° decline is most suitable. Use 40m to 60m to build up to full speed and then maintain the speed for a further 30m. A session could comprise of 2 to 3 sets of 3 to 6 repetitions. The difficulty with this method is to find a suitable hill with a safe surface.
Over speed work could be carried out on the track when there are prevailing strong winds - run with the wind behind you.
The athletes start in a variety of different positions - lying face down, lying on their backs, in a push up or sit up position, kneeling or seated. The coach standing some 30m from the group then gives a signal for everyone to jump up and run towards him/her at slightly faster than race pace. Repeat using various starting positions and with the coach standing in different places so that the athletes have to change directions quickly once they begin to run. Speed reaction drills can also be conducted whilst controlling an item (e.g. football, basketball, hockey ball) with an implement (e.g. feet, hands, hockey stick).
The general principles for improved speed are as follows:
The following is seven step model for developing playing speed.
For a number of sports acceleration and speed over a short distance (10-50m) is very important e.g. American Football, Basket Ball, Baseball, Cricket, Field Hockey, Rugby, Soccer etc. An explanation on how to develop a program to meet this need can be found on the 40 yrd Dash page.
The following Sports Coach pages should be read in conjunction with this page:
The following web sites contain more information on this topic:
The following journals and books contain more information on this topic:
| © Sports Coach : Created 1st January 1997 : Last Modified 17th November 2003 |