GAA Speed Development
Speed development refers to the process of improving an individual's ability to move quickly and efficiently in a specific movement pattern or sport-related skill. This includes various forms of training, such as sprinting, plyometrics, resistance training, and drills that focus on improving running movement patterns and biomechanics.
The goal of speed development is to enhance an athlete's ability to move quickly and explosively, which will in turn improve their performance in sports that require high levels of speed, agility, and power. Speed development can also help reduce the risk of injury by improving an athlete's ability to absorb and redirect forces during movement.
Speed development programs can be tailored to meet the specific needs of an athlete based on their sport, position, and individual goals. These programs generally involve a combination of strength and conditioning training, and skill-specific drills, and are typically designed to progressively increase the intensity and volume of training over time.
This is undoubtedly the most important part of the GAA athletes' running ability. The ability to get into open space, create space, beat their marker to the open ball and of course the ability to outpace their opponent when defending the ball gives a player a distinct advantage.
Drive phase or acceleration phase running requires different running mechanics to jogging or sprinting and needs to be trained accordingly.
Drive phase running is concentric based running and the ability to generate force while maintaining good posture, this requires powerful upper and lower body muscles coupled with a strong core.
Top end speed is not used as often as drive phase on the GAA pitch but it is undoubtedly a useful tool in the arsenal of any competitive athlete. The ability to outpace an opponent over a longer distance requires greater top end speed and different movement patterns than drive phase running. Top end speed requires the ability to generate large amounts of power while maintaining good running biomechanics, an athlete lacking stamina and focus will lose his or her ability to maintain good running posture and will result in slower movement.
Top end speed training is of massive benefit to an athlete as they will have the advantage of being able to outpace their opponent over longer distances but training top end speed requires both concentric and eccentric muscle contractions, and eccentric muscle contractions are the moment when the vast majority of injuries occur. Training specific to top end speed will have a massive effect on injury reduction.
When an athlete is injured they are not making progress, they aren't useful to the team, they are rehabbing when they should be making constant progress. The program that JC Fitness employs will drastically reduce injuries especially hamstring injuries which can not be avoided entirely but the reduction of such injuries will be in the region of 60-70 %. A solid strength and conditioning program, good biomechanics and movement patterns, along with a mobility and flexibility program will all result in stronger athletes with increased speed and agility which will in turn act as a barrier to injuries.
Programs on offer:
- In-depth coaching for the individual athlete.
- Identification of weak areas that might result in poor athletic performance and increased risk of injury.specific to speed development
- Strength and conditioning program specific to speed development.
- Speed development programs to increase acceleration speed and top end speed.
- Mobility and flexibility program.
- Plyometrics program to increase explosive power.
- Running program that will train the fast twitch muscle fibres and movement patterns.
Small group sessions with a focus on passing the knowledge of the principles to the group and coaches.
Areas that will be covered include:
- Type 2 muscle / fast twitch muscle fibres training.
- Movement patterns for drive/ acceleration phase.
- Movement patterns for top end speed.
- Strength and conditioning program specific to speed development.
- Speed development programs to increase acceleration speed and top end speed.
- Mobility and flexibility program.
- Plyometrics program to increase explosive power.
- Running program that will train the fast twitch muscle fibres and movement patterns.
2 Hour speed development seminar.
- Movement patterns for drive phase and top end speed
- Strength and conditioning specific to speed development
- Running programs for speed development and the difference
- Plyometrics
- Speed development drills
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If you are interested in working with me for personal training, in person or online or you would like to know more about my online running coach service, please get in touch.