When Is the Best Time to Do Speed Drills? The #1 Mistake Coaches and Parents Make
If you’re a parent or coach training a young athlete, you know speed is a game-changer. But did you know that when you do speed drills is just as important as how you do them?
One of the biggest mistakes in youth speed training is timing speed drills incorrectly, which can turn them into conditioning rather than true speed development. If your child isn’t getting faster, this might be why.
Let’s break down the best time to do speed drills, why it matters, and how to structure speed training the right way—whether you’re a coach designing practice sessions or a parent working with your child at home.
Why Timing Matters for Speed Development
Speed training isn’t just about running hard—it’s about developing the fast-twitch muscle fibers responsible for explosive acceleration and top-end speed.
But here’s the problem:
🚫 Doing speed drills at the end of practice (when athletes are tired) turns it into endurance training instead of speed training.
🚀 Doing speed drills when the body is fresh (right after a dynamic warm-up) allows young athletes to sprint with maximum effort and proper mechanics—which is key for real speed gains.
Think about it like this: A cheetah doesn’t sprint at top speed over and over again. It sprints with full power, then rests. That’s how real speed is built.
When Is the Best Time for Speed Drills?
For Parents Training Their Child at Home:
- ✅ Start speed drills after a warm-up—not after a full workout or practice.
- ✅ Keep reps low (2-3 reps of short sprints) to avoid fatigue.
- ✅ Prioritize effort and mechanics over the number of reps.
🏠 Want expert guidance? Our online training programs provide custom speed workouts for your child. Learn more here.
For Coaches Running Team Practices:
- ✅ Place speed drills at the start of practice (after the warm-up) to get maximum effort.
- ✅ Separate speed work from conditioning to prevent burnout.
- ✅ Use short, high-quality sprints (not endless running) for real speed development.
💪 Need help designing an effective speed program? Our face-to-face and hybrid coaching options can help. See how it works.
Avoid This Common Coaching Mistake
Too many coaches wait until the end of practice to do sprint work, thinking it’s “extra conditioning.” But conditioning is NOT speed training.
🔴 Conditioning (endurance running, suicides, etc.) = Training the body to sustain effort over time.
🟢 Speed Training (short sprints, full recovery) = Training the body to move explosively.
Both are important—but they are NOT the same. If you train for endurance, you won’t develop max speed.
Watch and Listen: Learn How to Structure Speed Drills the Right Way
Ready to Take Your Athlete’s Speed to the Next Level?
We offer elite-level speed training programs designed specifically for young athletes, no matter where you are! Choose the option that fits your needs:
🏠 Online Training – Get expert coaching with customized workouts your child can do at home.
💪 Face-to-Face Training – In-person coaching for hands-on technique refinement and direct feedback.
🌎 Hybrid Coaching – The best of both worlds! In-person sessions combined with remote guidance to maximize progress.
🚀 Fill out our quick interest form and let us know which option works best for you!
Let’s make this season your athlete’s fastest yet!
