How to Get Faster (Acceleration, Deceleration, Agility & Strength) | Les Spellman

Speed is a trainable capacity rather than a fixed genetic trait, requiring a combination of force production, deceleration, and tactical agility. While linear speed is vital for draft metrics, field performance relies on the ability to brake, change vectors, and make split-second decisions. Effective speed training functions like building a high-performance vehicle: the combine focuses on engine power, but game-day success demands superior braking systems and steering. Athletes must develop eccentric strength and tendon health to tolerate the forces of high-speed deceleration. Rather than over-coaching technical mechanics, youth training should prioritize exposure and diverse movement patterns. Ultimately, integrating heavy lifting and plyometrics supports the structural integrity needed to sustain high-intensity efforts, bridging the gap between off-season development and in-season performance.