How to Run Faster

I am often asked and e-mailed by athletes, parents and coaches what they can do to run faster. It seems like everyone is is feeling the need for speed these days. Whom can blame them, it what separates the pros from the joes!

So here are three things you can do that will have you running faster:

Work on Your Arm Mechanics - Too many athletes have poor running technique. If you are not efficient, you are wasting energy and slowing yourself down. The arms should be at a 90 degree angle while running. The should swing from the shoulder maintaining that angle. This will help drive and propel the body forward. Many athletes chop their arms which is wasted energy and not efficient.

Use Resisted Sprints to Increase Speed - Resisted sprints provide huge returns in terms of speed development. They teach the body the feel of foward body lean and acceleration angles. I use resisted sprints with the Speed Tools Speed Resistor. We use these everyday at my Athletic Edge Sports Training Center. We perform 15 yard resisted sprints with the speed resistor with good form.

Train the Core - When I tell athletes this they usually think of a ripped six pack. You need to train your core for movement and performance, meaning train the abs, obliques, hip flexors, back erectors, and glutes explosively for movement. So leave the crunches behind, and start training the core with med balls and dynamic movements such as overhead toss situps, russian twists, and rotational throws. These will develop power in your core and help you run faster.

Summer Training
The summer is ticking away! What are you doing to make yourself better this summer? If you are looking for an edge on the competition check out Training for the NFL program, it gives you the specific training routines I use down here with my athletes preparing for NFL training camp. It even includes my position specific conditioning protocols.

Where can you get a 4 phase training program that gets incredible results for such a great price?
Train Hard!

Mike Gough BSc, CSCS
http://www.procombinetraining.com/
http://www.combinefreak.com/
http://www.speedtoolsusa.com/

PS. Don't forget to get your Speed Tools Speed Resistor today to start getting faster!

Biggest Speed Training Mistakes

Last week I had the honor of speaking to the football players at a local high school. There coach called me and asked me if I could come in and talk to the athletes before they were about to time some 40 yard dashes.

I went through a quick tutorial on the 40 yard dash start position trying to give these young atheltes some technical cues they could put to work right then and there to run a faster time. It was a cliff notes version of what I cover in my Combine DVD but I hit on the major tips.

The coach then asked me what were the biggest problems that hindered speed development in athletes. I responded with a lack of flexibility and arm mechanics...

Athletes as a whole don't stretch enough or not at all, they are tight and stiff, and especially high school athletes whom are going through growth spurts tend to be very inflexible. I told the athletes that flexibility training is THE most overlooked component of speed training. So if you want to get fast... Get flexible!

Arm mechanics especially in the top speed phase of the 40 yard dash can either make or break your time. I see too many athletes running with a short choppy arm swing. This short arm movement shortens your stride length, so at top speed when you want to open your stride up, you are shortening it and losing speed. Next time you run when you reach full speed exaggerate your arm swing to run a faster time.

Summer football training is just starting, if you need a surefire program to make the most of your training and train like an NFLer get my Training For The NFL Program.

Speed Sleds

Check out our speed sleds, if you are up to the challenge! We use these sleds daily to increase acceleration off the start. Get the Sled to lower your 40 yard dash

40 Yard Dash Training Equipment

I hope all of you are having a great holiday. This is a busy time of year for me with my athletes preparing for the NFL and CFL combines...

But I have a special pre launch announcement just for you...

Over the years I have been helping athletes all over the world get faster, stronger and more powerful while becoming better athletes. Now I am lauching a set of new tools to help you become explosive and flat out fast.

Mike Gough's Speed Tools is my own line of speed training gear that is designed to get you FAST.

Chutes, Sleds, Ladders, Hurdles, and much, much more to help you unleash your athletic potential.

Check it out at http://www.speedtoolsusa.com/

You will not be disappointed as this equipment is heavy duty and the exact training gear I use with my athletes down here. It has been battle tested by the best.

http://www.speedtoolsusa.com/

Train Hard,

Mike Gough
http://www.speedtoolsusa.com
http://www.procombinetraining.com
http://www.combinefreak.com
PS: If you are looking to imprve your 40 yard dash then check out my Speed Tools Agility Ladder http://www.speedtoolsusa.com/agility-ladder.php