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How to Increase Speed?

My son who turns 8 years old next week is a sports buff. He has played many sports for the past 3 years and enjoys them fully because of the rewards. However, football and basketball seem to be his favorite. He always seems to be one of the fastest on his team, but he is still missing one small needed step, which is take of speed. He seems to have 3rd and 4th gear speed, but has slow take off. What can I do to help him improve 1st and 2nd gear speed (take of speed)? Are there any proven techniques that can be applied while we wait for the next football season? 

A common problem is improper body position (i.e. standing too upright), without enough body lean. Proper body position depends, of course, upon what sport and what position he is playing so to make things simple, I'll make some suggestions assuming he is a wide receiver on the football team and is starting from an upright 2-point stance.

He should take a position with his chest over his feet, bent slightly at the waist/hips and knees and his head up. As a receiver his feet should be slightly less than shoulder width apart and comfortably staggered (i.e. the inside foot up and the outside foot back several inches - inside refers to the position closest to the ball - if he lines up on the left side, his right foot is his inside foot, if he lines up on the right side his left foot is the inside foot). His arms should be cocked and about waist high and in position to pump when he takes off.

Often runners loose time by standing up -  not firing out at the start. Sometimes they will take a step back. His first move should be out, not up. When he strides his toes should be in line (not pointed in or out) and on a line midway between his legs.

There are some drills he can do to help improve his speed. Probably the best are power jumps.

First Step Drill
Starting from a good body position, practice making that first step a strong step in the intended direction--first with the right foot and then with the left foot.

Vertical Power Jumps
Feet shoulder width apart, bend at the knees and explode up as high as he can and reaching up with both arms. Give him a target of some type (a basketball hoop or even a marked pole) to reach for so that he can measure his improvement over time. Repeat several times.

Power Broad Jumps
Instead of exploding up, good body lean forward with the chest over the feet and explode forward, pump the arms forward as he explodes. He can do single ones to start then string three or four together.

Another good drill that you can have him do, with your assistance, is running forward with his eyes closed. He should try to run in a straight line. Spray paint a line on the grass or use a line on a football, baseball or soccer field. Make sure he is in an open area and doesn't run into anything. This doesn't have to be done at top speed, instead use a controlled speed. He should focus on good body lean and visualize the placement of his feet - in line. Soon he will be able to run in a straight line with his eyes closed.

Also have him run some drills running backwards, picking his knees up high. This will help him understand  how important it is to have a good forward body lean. Running backwards requires that he keep his chest out over his feet, so that he won't fall backwards.

You did not indicate where you live. But if you are in or around Northeast Florida, I know of a great coach who runs  speed and agility camps several times throughout the year. His name is Darrell Pasquale. He has coached in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers and at several colleges including Army and San Diego State. His dad, Larry, coached for the NY Jets, the St. Louis Rams and the Jacksonville Jaguars. They often work together at Darrell's camps.

I have attended  Pasquale's camp  and have seen the improvements he has made for kids from 9 to 18 years of age. The suggestions I have made are based on conversations with Darrell and techniques and drills he uses in his camps.

If you are interested in learning about Darrell's Speed Camp, please let me know and I will send you his phone number. I hope this helps.