Youth Speed Training
Acceleration
Athletes in any sport, need to be able to accelerate as quickly as possible to get to the ball or opponent first. As a coach you must be able to put your athletes in the best possible position to succeed. I’m sure you can tell stories of athletes that you’ve seen that haven’t mastered body control and haven’t even learned to skip correctly. Now, how are you supposed to teach these athletes proper sprinting mechanics?
Fake it until you make it!
This doesn’t mean just have your athletes run until they get it right, because they won’t get it right. You must teach them proper form even if you have to trick their bodies to get into it.
Partner Marching Drills
1) The first drill that needs to taught is the Partner Marching Drill
Have the two partners face each other. The first person leans in at a 45 degree angle, while their partner is holding them in this position. Have your first athlete bring their right knee up, keeping the ankle behind the knee and the toe up towards the shin. This is triple flexion on the front side, the position your athlete would be in during acceleration. On the support leg (left leg), have your athlete in triple extension. That left leg will be in a straight line with the hips, spine and head. The ankle will be plantar flexed (pointed) and make sure that your athletes left glute is firing. For now, both arms will be at the side.
Top Ten Healthy Snacks
Instead of reaching for the chips when you have a “snack attack”, choose one of these alternatives.
- Banana Yogurt Dip – Peel a banana and dip it in yogurt, roll it in crushed cereal (preferably granola) and freeze.
- Cheese ‘n Tortilla – Sprinkle grated Monterey Jack cheese over a corn tortilla; fold in half and microwave for twenty seconds. Top with your favorite salsa.
- Pita Apple Delight – Stuff a whole-grain pita pocket with ricotta cheese and Granny Smith apple slices. Add a dash of cinnamon.
- Snack Kabobs – Put cubes of low-fat cheese and grapes on pretzel sticks.
- Inside-Out Sandwich – Spread mustard on a slice of deli turkey. Wrap it around a sesame bread stick.
- Cranberry Surprise – Toss dried cranberries and chopped walnuts in with instant oatmeal.
- Cornflake Balls – Mix together peanut butter and cornflakes in a bowl. Shape into balls and roll in crushed graham crackers.
- Celery Sticks – Spread celery sticks with peanut butter or low-fat cream cheese. Top with raisins. Enjoy your “ants on a log”.
- Yogurt Sandwich – Smear a scoop of frozen yogurt on two graham crackers and add sliced banana to make a yummy sandwich.
- Old Standby – Spread peanut butter on apple slices
We hope you enjoy the above suggestions and please let us know what your favorites are. Do you have any other ideas fo rthis list – send them along in comments below.