What is the Number 1 Reason that athletes do not get any faster?
from Coach Jimmy Lamour( Certified Youth Fitness Specialist with Lamour Training Systems)
This is a reoccurring theme with many of the athletes we train. We often ask them what they have been doing for speed training and the usual reply is gassers or 40 yard sprints. However, they do not understand why they have not seen their 40 yard time’s decrease. Coaches we consult with often do not understand why their sled sprints, multiple sprints, and laps are not translating to faster teams. The biggest problem is they are not training for speed at all. Speed training must be about running at your fastest speed, recovering fully, and running again.
Many athletes or coaches usually run their athletes in a state of fatigue for fear that the athletes will just be standing around. Also, they think that is what will make them tough. The problem is they create well-conditioned teams that are not very fast. We ensure that our athletes get the required rest periods in between sprints to ensure every effort is their fastest effort. There are guidelines of how much rest an athlete should get depending on the distance of the sprint. The purpose of the rest period is for the energy reserves to be replenished so the athlete can give their fastest effort on the following sprint.
Our program also ensures that each athlete individualizes their workout within a group setting. We do this by electronically timing each sprint. This is a great tool to make the athlete sprint their fastest and be ready to compete. Also, it ensures that our timing is accurate and efficient. We know these athletes are being timed the same way every time and there is not as much room for error as with a stop watch. How many athletes have coaches told that they run 4.4 40 yard dashes until to run 4.7 at a football camp? Furthermore, when an athlete’s time decreases passed their 95% threshold we stop them from continuing. This ensures we are sprinting and not conditioning. Our aim is to run quality efforts by maximally sprinting every time.
We also emphasize that the athletes take the time out to stretch muscles that need to be stretched. Our goal is to individualize the stretching as well as some athletes are more flexible than others. Also, some are flexible in the wrong areas. Stretching is as important as any other part of the program and we ask that athletes perform it daily. The difference you can make in stretching can be significant for many athletes. For instance, if your muscle has elongated to a point where you can finish your sprint in 23 steps instead of 25 this can make a difference in your time. We hope these blogs are helping athletes educate themselves on the process of developing as an athlete. Also, if you have any topics you would like to see discussed please suggest them in the comment box.
Jimmy Lamour is a former Guilford College in Greensboro, NC All South Defensive Back. He set the record for interception return yards at the school. Upon Graduation, he tested numerous philosophies on strength and speed through seminars, self-study, conversation with renowned strength coaches, and training of hundreds of athletes. This led him to develop the 4.30 40 Speed System a system that helped him improve his 40 yard dash from a 4.66 to a 4.30, which gave way to many professional football workouts. He later developed Lamour Training Systems with the help of his lovely wife Charlene to help athletes improve their performance and receive knowledge he missed out on as a child. He continues to consult with several division 1, prep schools, and high school coaches. LTS has helped many football athletes play at the D1, D2, and D3 levels. He believes that his passion to see young men become all God intended them to be and provide knowledge of the defensive back position which will allow young athletes under the tutelage of Pick 6 Academy to flourish. He is currently certified as a Youth Fitness specialist, 7on7 Performance Director, and High School Strength & Conditioning Specialist. Also, Coach Lamour is a devout Christian and enjoys being a part of Harvest Church. He has two children Camdon (19) and Micah (12).Sign up for his newsletter to receive his free speed report at http://fastyouthathlete.blogspot.com/ on For more information, call 336-257-9151