Every athlete—no matter their age—can benefit from improving their sprinting technique. Many sports require quick bursts of speed, so being able to properly execute a sprint can give you a significant advantage over your opponents.
If you’re looking to get faster at sprinting, there are a few things you can focus on to help improve your speed. However, to make real improvements in your speed and explosive power, speed training is essential. A well-designed speed training program will help you to gradually develop the necessary muscles and techniques to make you a faster sprinter—and faster athlete overall.
Consistent speed training will also help to reduce your risk of injuries—an injury can take you out of the game for weeks or even months, so it’s important to do everything you can to prevent them.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a young athlete just starting out, if you want to become a faster sprinter there are a few key things you can try to improve. (As always, make sure you attempt these improvements safely, under the supervision of a coach or trainer.)
Tips to Help You Become a Faster Sprinter
1. Improve your starting technique
The key to becoming a faster sprinter is improving your starting technique. A good starting position will help you to generate more power and maintain your speed throughout the entire sprint.
2. Increase your stride frequency
Increasing your stride frequency is another important factor in improving your sprinting speed. A higher stride rate will help you to cover more ground with each step, resulting in a faster overall sprinting speed.
3. Increase your stride length
In addition to increasing your stride frequency, you should also focus on increasing your stride length. A longer stride will help you to cover more ground with each step, resulting in a faster overall sprinting speed.
4. Improve your arm action
Your arms play an important role in helping you to generate power and maintain your balance while sprinting. Improving your arm action can help you to increase your speed and overall efficiency.
5. Improve your stamina
Improving your stamina is important for maintaining your speed throughout the entire sprint. A well-conditioned athlete will be able to maintain their speed for the duration of the sprint, while a poorly conditioned athlete will start to slow down towards the end of the race.
Q: “Why am I such a slow sprinter?”
A: There are a few possible reasons why you might be a slow sprinter. Here are some of the more common reasons:
- It’s important to make sure that you’re using proper sprinting technique. If your technique is poor, you won’t be able to generate the necessary power to sprint at a fast speed.
- You may not be lifting weights properly. If you’re not lifting weights correctly, you won’t be able to develop the necessary muscles for sprinting. Many people who are trying to become faster make the mistake of only lifting weights that are too light.
- Sprinting is a very explosive movement, so your muscles need to be able to generate a lot of power. You may not have the right muscles developed for sprinting—for instance, back muscles. Back muscles are essential for sprinting. If your back muscles are weak, you won’t be able to generate the power necessary to sprint at a fast speed.
If you truly want to become a faster sprinter, it’s important to focus on improving your technique, increasing your overall fitness level, and developing the right muscles for sprinting. A well-designed speed training program can help you to make these improvements and become a faster sprinter—which will help you to improve your performance no matter what sport you’re playing.