Speed Training / Benefits at age 18

mrbeankid22 · Post 16 Mar 2011, 00:56

Hello everyone,

Well, I've really been debating whether a full-on intensive speed training routine over the course of 3, even 6 months would help me become significantly faster than I am now. Just some background info, I am 18, Senior in HS, and I usually play outside mid but I have average speed at best. I am very skilled at my feet and I can pass/cross/shoot very well but I cannot take multiple players on and beat them like a true winger.

I've had average speed/acceleration throughout my years. I've done plyos and hill sprints consistently but I only noticed a small amount of benefits. I am debating whether devoting my time to a full scale speed routine would be worth it. I've received interest from a couple college coaches but I am afraid my more technical/less physical style of play wouldn't cut it in American footy.

So basically, would doing intensive plyos/agilitydrills/ladders/sprints/weights over the next, lets say 6 months, yield very noticeable benefits? I mentioned my age as well, since I have read that it is much harder to develop speed after hitting puberty.

nick117 · Post 16 Mar 2011, 01:03

It's hard to say. Increasing your strength will give good results irregardless of age. some players are not going to be sprinters so i'm glad you have technical ability. I imagine over 6 months you could find some good results especially if you found a good routine for yourself.

mrbeankid22 · Post 16 Mar 2011, 01:09

Thanks for the insight Nick. Yeah I'd figure doing a lot of lifting would help in the long term, but it seems to throw off my touch a bit. I just hope that there is the potential there for me to achieve the benefits. I am by no means hoping to match the speeds of Olympic sprinter hopefuls, I just wan't to be considered one of the faster ones on the pitch.

nick117 · Post 16 Mar 2011, 01:34

Your touch is going to be off temporarily due to muscle fatigue but lifting will always be the safest bet on it if you can get at least 3 months of weights in then do plyometrics i imagine results would follow. In the time between weights and plyo's you could also do resistance training with a parachute / weight sled etc since you obviously can't do weights for the legs 3x a week.