Two key components in the process of athletic development for high school and college athletes is related to their ability to improve in the sprinting mechanics department and lateral movement skills area.
Athletic development skills and drills take time to refine and master. These are key fundamental areas that serve as building blocks to ultimately improve your overall athletic performance.
Let’s break down what each of those looks like.
Sprinting Mechanics
Sprinting, like anything else, takes quality time to build and refine. Truly, it is a highly-coveted skill in the athletic development process and is certainly worth mastering if you wish to advance in your sport.
We have a very simple list of progressions that can help the athlete master the process over time. Begin with wall acceleration drills and marching drills. Once you've become proficient in those, it then becomes time to advance to the skips.
Here is a simple skipping progression we use:
Lateral Movement Skills
Whether referring to the skills of agility or change of direction (C.O.D.), the athlete must first master the ability to move laterally from a fundamental standpoint.
This process can be mastered over time through a simple list of progressions. First, begin with wall lateral acceleration drills and lateral marching drills. Once you've improved your ability in those areas, it then becomes time to advance.
Here is a simple progression series that we use:
Looking for more ways to improve your speed and athletic skills this summer? Check out our Athletic Development Guide for high school and college students!