Resisted vs. Overspeed Speed Training

I am asked often about resistive vs overspeed training and what gets better results. When you speed train which type of training do you use? If you want fastest path to get results, resistive speed training gets it done.

You see, overspeed training pulls you faster than you can run, which quite often pulls you out of your proper mechanics. When trying to get faster your running mechanics are the foundation for success. Poor mechanics while training will translate into poor mechanics on the field. Quite often athletes that are being pulled in a overpeed towing drill force their muscles to brake because they are being pulled out of control which is counterproductive to the goal of the exercise. If you are going to do overpeed training I suggest running on a slight decline or running with a wind at your back.

Resisted training allows you to improve forward body lean, and increase power through a triple extension of the hip, knee and ankle joints. The force created during this type of training while maintaining proper running mechanics will make you faster. Be certain not to overload the resistance to a point where form and mechanics are compromised, ususally 7 to 10% of the atheltes bodyweight should be used as the amount of resistance applied. Ultimately first step power, acceleration and speed will be increased by using a resited device such as a Speed Sled of Speed Resistor.

Summer Football 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 and college training camps. 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?

40 Yard Dash Tips
Many of my athletes have been running blistering times in the 40 yard dash at their college testing day. Highlights include Damian Copeland a true freshman at Louisville who clocked a 4.37 sec. 40 and Youngstown State true sophmore LB Deonta Tate who ran a 4.53 sec. 40 yard dash.

Both athletes said teamates were asking them about their unique breathing technique they used when running the 40. This breathing technique in my opinon is key for running a fast 40 yard dash. Learn this specific breathing technique which is detailed on my Combine Freak DVD.

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!

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

A New 40 Yard Dash Shoe

I am always searching for the latest and greatest items that will help you kick ass on combine day.

You need to listen up and check these out!Last week I got a package in the mail from Nike with their new Nike Vapor Jet 4.2 cleats. I was already a big fan of their shoes but now I am even more impressed. These shoes are perfect.

As you know I always preach that the shoes play a big part in yor success in the 40 yard dash, and Nike has got it spot on with this new model. 10oz. that scream speed.

Now a tip... get a pair of these as fast as you can... becasue they have a limited stock right now with more to come in the late summer. These have just been released and as you can imagine will sell fast. You will want to own a pair of these!

Nike Vapor Jet 4.2

Speed Experts Trainign Program
Over 500 Jam-Packed Pages of Sample In-Depth Speed Training Programs Crammed with Actual 30 Day Programs (Plus Exact Sets and Reps) from the 18 of the World's Top Strength Coaches and Speed Experts!

Get 18 - 30 Day speed training programs from the top trainers in the country for one low price!


Train Hard!

Coach Mike Gough
www.procombinetraining.com
www.combinefreak.com
www.speedtoolsusa.com

PS: My Speed Tools Agility Package offers a Pro Agility Ladder (26.5 feet long), 6 - 6" Agility Hurdles and a 12" Plyometric Endurance Hurdle all for one low price! As a bonus for those who order today, I will throw in the bonus flexibility program and the Speed Tools Stretching Rope! Offer lasts for 24 hrs.!

40 Yard Dash Steps for 10, 20 and 40 Splits

Things are starting to heat up here in Florida, both the temperature (85+ degrees) and training is heating up as we are getting some awesome results with our programs. My clients are getting big, fast, quick and exposive! Alot of the gains we have been getting can be attributed to my Speed Tools Training System .

(Get a FREE Stretching Rope and Stretching program FREE with the purchase of my Speed Tools Training System). Build Explosive power and lightning fast speed with these great training tools.

Now on to today's tip...

Is there a correlation between your 40 yard dash time and the number of strides taken for the 40 yard dash?You better believe it. After breaking down the video from this years NFL combine there is a strong correlation between the specific numbers of strides taken in the 40 yard dash and the times clocked. In my COMBINE FREAK DVD I share with you the specific number of strides for the 10, 20 and 40 yard splits. These numbers are right on line with faster times posted at the NFL Combine. So the long and short of it is that stride length and the number of strides taken are integral to a good 40 yard dash.

So if you are taking to many strides you are adding time to 40 yard dash time.

Many of you have contacted us about a training program for this summer to help you get ready for this coming football season. Without a doubt, My Training For The NFL Program is a surefire way to get ready this summer. Now I am going to warn you, this program is only for those that want to be pushed to their limits and become the best.

Thats the way I roll, I want every one of my clients to be the best athletes out there! Train Hard!

Coach Mike Gough
www.procombinetraining.com
www.combinefreak.com
www.speedtoolsusa.com

PS: My Speed Tools Agility Package offers a Pro Agility Ladder (26.5 feet long), 6 - 6" Agility Hurdles and a 12" Plyometric Endurance Hurdle all for one low price! As a bonus for those who order today, I will throw in the bonus flexibility program and the Speed Tools Stretching Rope! Offer lasts for 24 hrs.!

Are your hips limiting your 40 Yard Dash time?

I have been getting alot of e-mails from parents and athletes who have one common problem with their 40 yard dash.They all say that their running stride is two short during acceleration, taking far too many strides. Looks like they are "Scootching" as one parent described it, "he is running but not going anywhere".

I see this problem alot, and this problem is a result of the lack of hip flexion. When the athlete runs, flexion and extension are the keys to acceleration and sprinting in general. Many athletes may think that it is weak hip flexors, and it might certainly be. But most commonly it is the lack of flexibility not strength, in the hip flexors and a lack of posterior chain strength.

One of the first stretches I show my athletes is the psoas stretch which we perform with our Speed Tools Stretch Rope (Get the Rope and Stretching program FREE with the purchase of my Speed Tools Training System). This Active Isolated stretching technique will open the hip flexors up to allow greater range of motion. This will allow to open up freely and the athlete will be able to accelerate.

Once the psoas muscle has been opened up, a solid posterior chain program needs to be performed. Reverse Hyper Extensions, Single leg RDL, Glute ham raise are examples of exercises that can be done to strengthen the chain.
Trust me, if you address both of these elements you 40 yard dash time will drastically improve.

If you are looking on how to run a great 40 yard dash and have a knockout combine performance get your hands on my Combine Freak DVD.

Keep Sprinting!

Coach Mike Gough
www.procombinetraining.com
www.combinefreak.com
www.speedtoolsusa.com

PS: My Speed Tools Agility Package offers a Pro Agility Ladder (26.5 feet long), 6 - 6" Agility Hurdles and a 12" Plyometric Endurance Hurdle all for one low price! As a bonus for those who order today, I will throw in the bonus flexibility program and the Speed Tools Stretching Rope! Offer lasts for 24 hrs.!

Top NFL Scout Speaks!

If you are close to the NFL Scouting circles then you have heard this name CO Brocato, the longtime NFL scout with the Tennessee Titans.

CO is a legend in the scouting circles, and has been a traiblazer in the profession. CO created the L Cone drill as a test of multi directional change of direction.

I recently watched an interview with CO. What he said all of us, whether athletes at the high school or the college level should listen closely to and follow, as he certinly knows what he is talking about.

The main point I took away from this interview was when he was asked what is the most important trait a football prospect should have.

He said without hesitation "SPEED". He said that speed is the key factor. Also the athletes ability to change direction and football skills. This should tell you alot about where your training emphasis should lie.

Speed Kills as some say. Speed will help you make the next level.

If you want to add more "Speed" to your game you need to get my Speed Tools Speed Sled.

A heavy duty training sled, that you can put olympic plates on and do various drills to build your speed. Forward accelerations, backpedal pulls, crossover starts, no arms sprints, and upper body sled pulls are just some of the exercises you can do with this multifaceted piece of training equipment. All at a very reasonable price.

Check it out here: http://www.speedtoolsusa.com/speed-sled.php

Believe me, CO Brocato has tested thousands of athletes trying to make the jump to the NFL. He knows his stuff. Speed is King.