Skill

Quickness Training

Jamie Hale explains how to develop quickness of movement.

Ask almost any coach or athlete and they will probably agree that quickness is a key attribute to successful performance in sport (this does not necessarily apply to low intensity endurance events). Quickness is defined as rapid reaction and movement time in relation to a given stimulus. Training for quickness is not the same as training for absolute speed. Quickness relies heavily on immediate movement reactions therefore we can think of quickness as the first phase of speed.

Neural Training

Training the nervous system is very important in the development of quickness. Proper neural training offers the following:

Instantaneous recruitment of a maximal number of motor units
Increasing the firing rates of motor units
Increase in intramuscular coordination (ability to synergistically use multiple muscle groups in performing movements)

Multiple rehearsal of movements result in stored memories in the brain called engrams. Development of engrams is one of the reasons it is so important to practice movements perfectly. If you practice with flawed technique your technique will be flawed when competing therefore the coaching focus must be on the quality of movement rather than quantity. Training quickness in short intervals results in utilization and development of the phosphagen energy system.

Developing Quickness

Quickness is genetically determined to a degree, but proper training can greatly increase quickness. Drills geared for pure quickness development should last 6 to 8 seconds and training for quickness endurance should be longer in duration. Athletes are faced with a multitude of different situations when performing therefore placement of quickness drills varies accordingly.

Most of the time I incorporate quickness drills in the warm-up preceding weight training. When training to improve quickness endurance then this type of training is often placed at the end of a workout. When under competitive situation that quick cut, pass or punch in the closing moment of an event i.e. boxing, can determine the winner. By placing quickness movements at the end of a workout the preceding competition conditions can be emulated to a small degree.

Before developing a quickness program, athlete evaluation is helpful. There is an abundant amount of testing procedures that are used to measure quickness. Tests include reaction drills, start and stop and quick feet drills. Different circumstances require different tests.

To get an idea of an athletes quickness levels I like to observe them participating in their sporting event. I also use reaction drills such as dodge ball, ball drops, and shadowing drills. Once I establish the athlete's level of quickness, I use the priority principle in training. The principle implies that weaknesses receive priority over well developed motor qualities. Minimal time is spent on quickness development if high levels of quickness already exist. If the athlete is weak in this area we would usually train this quality 2 to 3 times per week.

Shock method training (plyometrics) can be helpful in improving quickness. Keep in mind proper shock method training can be useful, but improper use of this training method can result in decrease in performance and injury. A good strength and fitness base is necessary before performing this type of training.

In summary, quickness can be enhanced with proper training. Training the nervous system is the main emphasis in quickness training. Drills should last 6 to 8 seconds. This motor quality is very important if not crucial in most sports. It is essential for coaches to learn how to maximize their athlete's ability to react and move quickly.

References

Brown L,E,. Ferrigno V,A,. Santana J,C. (2000) Training for speed agility and quickness. Human Kinetics.
Foran B. (2001) High Performance Sports Conditioning. Twist, P. Ch.6 Lightning Quickness. Human Kinetics.

About the Author

Jamie Hale is a Sports Conditioning Coach in the USA, member of World Marital Arts Hall of Fame and contributor to numerous exercise and sports journals. Jamie can be contacted through his website at www.maxcondition.com

Article Reference

Hale J. (2004), "Quickness Training", Brian Mackenzie's Successful Coaching (ISSN 1745-7513), Issue 11

Complete Speed Training

Discover everything you ever wanted to know, and more, about training speed.

The most comprehensive speed training information available, all on DVD.

Now you can view this cutting edge information on your own time, learn how to correctly perform and coach each skill, add variety to your current program and learn how to structure workouts to help your athletes develop blazing speed.

Select this link for more information on "Complete Speed Training".

Developing Killer Speed

Decrease your Forty Yard Dash by 2 seconds in 8 weeks!

Speed is the difference between an average athlete and a great athlete. By developing speed, an average athlete can become good, and a good athlete can become great. That is why speed, for any athlete in any sport, is a good investment. If you put in the time, sweat, and hard work you will see the results

Select this link for more information on "Developing Killer Speed".

Associated Pages

The following Sports Coach pages should be read in conjunction with this page: