Thursday, April 17, 2008

Sports Training - Warm-up Speed Drills

If you really want to make your team faster, the first step you must take concerns the very first thing that they do each day at practice - The Warm Up!

I know it doesn't sound too glorious, but if you don't show your athletes an effective dynamic warm-up, you're asking for some serious problems!

What do I mean?

I still know A LOT of programs that are using static stretching as the primary form of warming up. You know what I'm talking about. Players will jog a lap or two around the field, get together in a circle and do those stretches where you hold one position for 8 or 10 counts.

I know YOU wouldn't use that as your primary method of warming up, but sadly some of your colleagues and competitors still do it.

So let me ask you a couple of questions...

How many sports can you think of that involve, at any point, holding a stretch for 10 seconds in order to be successful?

That's right, none. So is that an effective way to get ready to compete or practice?

In fact, studies show that static stretching can reduce power output by up to 20%. Don't you think that might have a negative effect on the speed and performance of your players?

Here is a quick warm-up presentation:



Complete Speed Training is a great source for speed drills for warming-up and more importantly how all these exercises go together.