Everyone loves controversy. It’s a fact. Look at how many people are looking for more details about the Mitchell Report and everyone wants to weigh in their opinion. In fact, if you take a look on Google, there are 2,510,000 results showing just on the Mitchell Report itself.

For Athletes Acceleration, we posted an interview by a respected coach and we received a lot of feedback.

We were told that his views are:

- very informative

- extremely thought provoking

- not practical

- that he puts his point across very well, but I still feel there are holes in his argument

- simple in concept but does it actually work

- wow, why didn’t I try this sooner

- that his minimalist approach is not good for everyone

So, that being said, it’s time for the latest Barry Ross article with his approach to speed training (it’s a great read):

www.athletesacceleration.com/speedbacktobasics.html

Yours in speed,

Patrick Beith

www.AthletesAcceleration.com

P.S.-  To read Barry Ross’s article Speed Training - Back to the Basics, go to:

www.athletesacceleration.com/speedbacktobasics.html

If you are a coach or trainer your athletes are going to do
what you say, but it doesn’t mean they are listening to you.

If you are a parent coaching your kids, your job is much
tougher. Athletes tend to tune our their parents’ coaching
instructions even when those instructions are good ones.

Regardless of your situation, you’ll get much better results
out of your athletes if you can get them to truly buy into
what you are selling.

At a recent competition I had a parent of one of my athletes
approach me. She told me how her son comes home from
practice each day raving about how excited he is about his
training. How he loves going to practice, how much faster
he feels, how confident he is about breaking the school
record, etc.

She said how she used to be a high school coach. That she
would try to tell him the basics like drink more water and
stretch out after practice. When she said it it was in one
ear and out the other. But now that I’m saying it, all of
a sudden he’s constantly got a water bottle in his hand, he’s
eating right and getting a post workout stretch in every day.

In no uncertain terms, this parent told me, her son takes what
I say as ‘the word of God’. (not literally, so relax religious
people)

So how did I get my athletes to drink the Kool Aid and
completely buy into my system after working with them for
a mere 2 weeks?

(Everyone running a lifetime best the first meet of the
season didn’t hurt.)

It’s simple.

I explain everything we are doing, why we are doing it and
exactly how it is going to make them a stronger, faster
athlete.

And I explain it in simple terms they can understand.

Of course I could overwhelm them with science, but they
don’t want to hear that. And I don’t have time to explain
it.

Here’s what I do…

I start by going into the science for about 10 seconds.
Then I stop myself mid sentence and say ‘Scratch that. You
guys don’t care about the science behind this. If you want
to know about it just ask me after practice. Here’s what it
boils down to…’

Then I break it down in everyday language.

By giving them a taste of the science, they can see that I
really do know what I’m talking about. That I’m not just
making up random workouts and drills. Then I give it to them
straight. That combination makes kids say to themselves
(albeit subconsciously):

‘Wow there’s an actual scientific reason why we’re doing this.
I don’t quite get the science, or care, but what he says
really makes sense.’

Because there is practical logic behind everything I teach
with a hint of science as the glue that holds it all together,
athletes truly believe that everything they do is making
them a better athlete. So even when they go to another sport
in a different season, they can take what they learn to that
team as well.

They’re no longer just running to run or lifting to lift.
They’re not just blindly doing what the adult in charge tells
them to do.

Because they understand how each drill, workout, rep and lift
is specifically going to make them faster, they *want* to
stay after practice and do just a few more starts.

They *want* to practice the speed drills on their own time.

They *want* to drink more water, eat healthier and take the
time to do a good warmdown.

They *want* to take the time to get better because they
*believe* in what they are doing.

So, , as the coach, parent or trainer how do you get your
athletes to *want* to do everything you say as opposed to
blindly do what they are conditioned to do - listen to the
adult?

It’s simple.

Use the exact same system I use. Follow the exact same
progressions I follow. Use the exact same coaching cues I
teach.

Here is that system:

==> http://www.CompleteSpeedTraining.com

In the Complete Speed Training Program, I’ve done for you
what I do for my athletes - give you enough science for the
process to make sense (but not so much that your eyes
glaze over in boredom while you watch the DVDs) and then
give it to you straight so you can take the information
directly to your athletes.

_______________

“I coach track and football and needed a structured program
to help my kids perform to the best of their abilities. I
was introduced to this program through another coach in
2006 but never gave it any serious thought until it came
time for me to take over the program. I immediately
purchased the “Complete Speed Training” program and began
to instruct my kids on the proper technique and drills
provided and my team was the talk of the area. We began to
win the majority of our events and the confidence in our
kids was overwhelming. We produced (4) AAU Jr. Olympians
out of 18 kids and now I am in demand to teach other track
and football teams.. I would recommend this to anyone
wanting to increase their kid’s speed and conditioning in
any sport.”

Sincerely,
Calvin Smith
Round Rock, Texas
_______________
Complete Speed Training has worked wonders for
me and my athletes.

It will do the same for yours.
To your success,

Latif Thomas CSCS, USATF II
2005 MSTCA Coach of the Year