Alot of altheles and coaches make a very big mistake when designing and implementing their training program and probably don't even know it (If they know it and STILL do it well then that's a whole different problem!).
They spend all summer training in the gym and getting bigger and stronger but neglect the biggest components they they will use when they play their sport...conditioning and especially speed!
Why should we speed train? Well to better understand the importance and benefits of speed training, we will use the "T-E-N-T" speed model to better explain the different aspects and benefits of speed training.
T - Technique
An athlete must be taught how to be fast. There is a best way to start, accelerate, reach maximum velocity and decelerate. These are all aspects of speed training that must be taught to not only make the athlete faster, but also limit injury due to technique.
E - Energy System (metabolic)
Every sport has some type of energy system demand on it and lifting weights is not going to develop the energy needed for that demand. You MUST make sure that you are continuously training those systems throughout the year in order to meet that demand when the game starts!
N - Neural
At Power Systems we have a very good understanding of the importance of training the central nervous system (CNS) in order to excel in your sport. It is true that heavy weightlifting has a significant impact on the CNS's ability to adapt to the demands we put on the body. However, no movement in the weightroom can match the rates of force and contraction developed through speed training. You have to train your body to be fast and the CNS is critical in developing your speed.
T - Tempering
Tempering decribes the adaptation that happens in the connective tissue (tendons, ligiments), in the muscular system and the CNS that do not take place in the weightroom. The velocity that an athlete moves and the different angles cannot be duplicated by simply lifting weights. A significant amount of football players suffer from pulled hamstrings, shin splints and sprained ankles when the season first starts. This is because their bodies are not used to the rate of contraction required when they first accelerate, cut or decelerate. Make sure you aren't one of these guys!
At Power Systems we make sure to implement a structured speed program for every athlete or team. Speed training and conditioning must take place along with weight training in order to prepare the athlete for the demands on the field.
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