In the game, you have probably missed a tackle because you couldn't chase them down because you were lacking a bit of speed. You try to evade the opposition by stepping them but you couldn't separate yourself afterwards because you're lacking the explosive take off. You couldn't keep up with the plays because you're lacking the most crucial part of your athletic development, aerobic capacity to recover quickly for your next burst of speed.
Speed is a feature that most athletes want and require to improve their performance in any sport. Some athletes don't practise it, which prevents them from ever realising their full potential. While some athletes are training for it but aren't doing it correctly.
What athletes need is a coach who can offer them feedback on what they need to improve, a team of athletes who can compete against them, and a programme that progressively overloads athletes in order to advance and develop the speed required to perform successfully.
What do athletes need to develop game speed?
- Improve top speed and acceleration mechanics
- Improve change of direction and reaction times by having a stimulus which is defenders and attackers in the drills.
Exposure to games and then some conditioning to be able to recover and repeat speed efforts.
