Speed Training - 40 yard Dash

For a number of sports acceleration and speed over a short distance is very important e.g. American Football, Basket Ball, Baseball, Cricket, Field Hockey, Rugby, Soccer, Futsal (5 a side football) etc.

Before You Start

Prior to starting any training, it is recommended you have a medical examination to ensure it is safe for you to do so. Any application of this training program is at the athlete's own discretion and risk.

Preparation work

What time do I have available for training?

• how long before I have to put my improved acceleration & speed to the test
• how many days each week can I train
• how many times a day can I train

What facilities do I need?

• Somewhere to run - an Athletics Track or sports field
• Somewhere to do exercises - gymnasium
• Somewhere to do strength training - weight training room

What equipment do I need or have access to?

• Appropriate clothing for training in
• Exercises mat
• Free weights for weight training

The preparation of any training program is explained in more detail on the Planning page.

Training Plan Phases

Split the available training time into two equal periods (phases). If there are 16 weeks available for training then we have 8 weeks for Phase One and 8 weeks for Phase Two. This would allow for two four week cycles in each phase.

Phase One

The objectives of phase one are to develop general strength and general endurance. The workload in the first three weeks of the example plan below increase each week (easy, medium and hard) and the 4th week comprises of active recovery and tests to monitor training progress. The aim of the 4 week cycle is to build you up to a level of fitness (3 weeks), allow a recovery (1 week), build you up to higher level of fitness, allow a recovery, and so on.

Remember a training program is athlete specific and the results of the tests in the 4th week can be used to adjust the training in the next four week cycle to address any limitations.

The pace for each of the running endurance sessions should be between 15 and 20 seconds per 100 metres.

Each session should include an appropriate warm up and cool down program.

Week One

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Strength Training

Examples of general strength training are:

• Weight Training program - dumbbells
• Weight Training program - free weights and machines
• Weight Training program - sprinters

For young athletes, <17 years of age, I would recommend circuit training in place of the weight training.

Phase 2

The objectives of phase two are to develop specific strength, specific endurance and speed. The workload in the first three weeks of the example plan below increase each week (easy, medium and hard) and the 4th week comprises of active recovery and tests to monitor training progress. The aim of the 4 week cycle is to build you up to a level of fitness (3 weeks), allow a recovery (1 week), build you up to higher level of fitness, allow a recovery, and so on.

Remember a training program is athlete specific and the results of the tests in the 4th week can be used to adjust the training in the next four week cycle to address any limitations.

The pace for each of the running sessions can be determined from the calculator provided after the four week program.

Each session should include an appropriate warm up and cool down program.

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Strength Training

Examples of specific strength training are:

• Complex training (mix of plyometrics and weights).
• Plyometrics
• Plyometric Exercises - Arms
• Plyometric Exercises - Legs
• Plyometrics High Intensity Exercises - Legs
• Weight Training program - sprinters

For young athletes, <17 years of age, I would recommend circuit training in place of the weight training. The exercises need to be specific to the demands of your sport or event.

Plyometrics

Plyometric drills can be incorporated into the warm up. Conduct 2 or 3 sets over a distance of 20 to 30 metres. Focus on quality and not quantity. Example of plyometric drills are:

• Single leg hops over cones
• Double leg hops over cones
• Zig Zag hops (one legged lateral bounds)
• Alternate Leg running bounds (up stairs)

Sprint Technique

Development of your sprint technique is just as important as the development of your strength and endurance. Guidance on the correct technique for each phase of the sprint is detailed on the sprint technique page and the sprint start page. To assist in the development of your technique see the information contained on the technique training page.

Technique Runs

As part of each track session, include at the start of the session 6 X 50 metres:

• 1st run only concentrate on running Tall
• 2nd run only concentrate on a running Relaxed
• 3rd run only concentrate on running Smoothly
• 4th run only concentrate on the Drive action
• 5th & 6th runs concentrate on them all

Explanation of Tall, Relaxed, Smooth and Drive is detailed on the sprint technique page.

Evaluation Tests

Evaluation tests are used to monitor progress and identify limitations. The following are examples of tests that could be conducted every four weeks during Phase One and Phase Two to monitor progress.

Phase 1

• 400m drop off test
• Cooper Test
• Illinois agility run test
• Muscle balance and strength tests
• Multistage Fitness test
• Quadrathlon

Phase 2

• Flying 30m Test
• Illinois agility run test
• Lateral change of direction test
• Leg elastic strength tests
• Muscle balance and strength tests
• Running-based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST)
• T - Drill test

Free Calculator

The following are free Microsoft Excel spreadsheet that you can download and use on your computer.

• 40 yard Training Speed Calculator
• 60 metre, 100 metre and 200 metre time predictions

Download a copy of the program

A copy of this speed training program is available in PDF format from this link.

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 DVD".

Run Your Fastest 40 Ever You will discover new speed techniques in this two DVD set to run your fastest 40 ever! Ten speed technique training tips The Combine Start Valsalva acceleration technique Streamline body mechanics for speed Power arm pumps for explosive starts Drive phase, mid-point, fly phase strategies Select this link for more information on "Run Your Fastest 40 Ever" DVD set.

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".

Training Kids for Speed The aim is for this book to help all coaches/parents/teachers of Young sprinters and also those involved in sports which value fast running. It introduces a large range of ways following recent research to be more effective in shaping running technique and improving speed Select this link for more information on "Training Kids for Speed".

Associated Pages

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

• Fartlek Training
• Hill Training
• Reaction Speed
• Speed Training Articles
• Speed Training

Associated Books

The following books provide more information related to this topic:

• Sports Speed, G. Dintiman et al., ISBN 0 88011 607 2
• Speed, T. McNab, ISBN 0 948615 23 0
• Advanced Studies in Physical Education and Sport, P Beashel et al., ISBN 0 17 4482345
• Physical Education and the Study of Sport, B. Davis et al., ISBN 0 7234 31752
• Essentials of Exercise Physiology, W.D. McArdle et al., ISBN 0 683 30507 7
• Physical Education and Sport Studies, D. Roscoe et al., ISBN 1 901424 20 0
• The World of Sport Examined, P. Beashel et al., ISBN 0 17 438719 9
• Advanced PE for Edexcel, F. Galligan et al., ISBN 0 435 50643 9
• Examining Physical Education, K. Bizley, ISBN 0 435 50660 9
• Sport and PE, K Wesson et al., ISBN 0 340 683821
• PE for you, J. Honeybourne, ISBN 0 7487 3277 2