Do You Need Speed Training or Athletic Development?

Two athletes arrive for training to make them faster. After an evaluation its determined that both athletes are slow. The solution? Speed training right?

Maybe....maybe not.

Depends on your definition of speed training. Some define speed training as running mechanics, and sprint training- but is that always the answer?

Athlete # 1 may not know how to run, has sloppy mechanics and poor form. In that case speed training would help. Working on the movement of running- head position, arms action, and leg drive. Refining how they move and then applying it to sprints.

Athlete # 2 is incapable of running correctly. Tight hips and poor core strength don't allow the athlete's body to move as a unit. While running the body is working harder on not falling over more than it is at generating speed. In this case speed training would be ineffective. Most likely it would make the athlete miserable. Running on its own is hard. When you're body is incapable of effectively running becomes even more difficult.

Athlete #2 may actually be quite fast, but is unable to tap into that speed because the body is acting more like the brakes on a car than the accelerator. How fast can you drive if you have one foot on the gas and the other on the brake. Release the brakes and the car runs smoother and is more efficient.

Training to release the brakes is challenging, but enjoyable. This type of training produces the desired result- running speed. Isn't that the point of training?