Why Speed Training Matters for Youth Athletes
Sprint to Success: Why Speed Training Matters for Youth Athletes
Welcome to this month’s HA Newsletter! Today, we’re diving into the game-changing benefits of speed training for young athletes and sharing practical tips to help them zoom past the competition.
Why Speed Training is a Must
Speed isn’t just for sprinters—it’s a critical skill for nearly every sport, from soccer to basketball to lacrosse. For youth athletes, developing speed early builds a foundation for athletic success by:
Boosting Performance: Faster athletes can outmaneuver opponents, chase down balls, or reach the goal line first.
Enhancing Confidence: Mastering speed instills a sense of accomplishment, motivating kids to push harder.
Reducing Injury Risk: Proper speed training strengthens muscles and improves coordination, making athletes more resilient.
Actionable Tips to Get Faster
Here are three simple, effective ways to help young athletes improve their speed:
Focus on Sprint Technique
Teach athletes to run with proper form: short, quick strides, arms pumping at 90-degree angles, and a slight forward lean. Practice drills like high-knee runs or wall sprints for 10-15 seconds to reinforce mechanics.Incorporate Plyometric Drills
Explosive movements build power. Try exercises like box jumps or single-leg hops (3 sets of 10 reps) to strengthen fast-twitch muscles. Start with low intensity to ensure safety.Add Hill Sprints
Short, intense bursts improve speed! Have athletes sprint for 10 seconds, rest for 90 seconds, and repeat for 6-8 rounds. This mimics game conditions and builds stamina.
Get Started Today!
Speed training doesn’t require fancy equipment—just consistency and effort. Encourage your young athlete to practice these drills 2-3 times a week, and watch their performance soar. For more tips or to join our speed based performance facility on-site or online, visit our website www.hansenathletics.com or reply to this newsletter!
Stay fast, stay fierce!
HansenAthletics
Darren was born and raised in Pocatello and graduated from Highland High School in 2010. While attending Utah State he was the facilitator/founder of the USU Strength and Conditioning program that served over 150 students and athletes each semester. During this time he also competed nationally in Olympic Weightlifting and has since been named a National Coach for the United States Of America Weightlifting Association.
After receiving his degree in Exercise Science he spent a year in Salt Lake City learning from the S&C coaches at the University of Utah while growing his online coaching platform that currently houses athletes from all over the world.
Darren took his first opportunity to move back to Pocatello to open up a physical location for HansenAthletics with a focus on providing an individualized coaching experience that takes a performance-based approach to develop proper movement patterns, strength, and pain-free movement that has a direct carry over to life and sport. Through nearly a decade of coaching, he has worked with a wide array of clients and has experience with all ages and ability levels.
BS Exercise Science, CSCS, USAW National Coach, CrossFit L1, FreeMotion, Power Athlete Methodology, Power Athlete Block 1
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