There are numerous drills and exercises that can be used to improve an athlete's lateral speed, quickness and agility. See my post dated 8/9/07 that discusses lateral speed development.
The positioning of the hips is critical when training for lateral speed and quickness. It is important for the athlete to keep the hips at a constant level during all change-of-direction movements.
If the hips go up and down (or yo-yo) during change-of-direction movements, it will slow the athlete down and the movements will not be efficient enough for the athlete to succeed at a high level of play. A good example would be the game-time actions of a cornerback in football.
The cornerback is one of the most skilled players on the field. He must have great straight-ahead speed, lateral speed, quickness, agility and explosion. On a single play, he may have to backpedal, shuffle, carioca and turn and run while attempting to cover a speedy wide receiver.
If this cornerback's hips are not kept at a constant level during all of these movements, he will not be successful (burnt toast would be an accurate description!)
The athlete must possess a strong and powerful core, upper body and lower body to be able to keep the hips level during all movements.
If you need more help, check out Lee Taft's speed program below:
Other things being equal, a muscular, powerful athlete will outperform a fat, slower or skinny, weaker athlete. Sports Fitness Hut's Fat Blaster Athletic Power Training System will give you your "lean and mean" athletic machine!
Check out my other great blogs:
Her Fitness Hut Blog Her Fitness Hut is featured on EmpowHER, a great health issues website for women! Her Fitness Hut has also been named in the Top 50 Personal Training Blogs by Physical Therapy Assistant Schools!
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