Arizona Coaches Association

[www.azvsp.com]

On a regular basis, we’re asked by parents and athletes what they could do to be faster and more athletic. Our response to them is very simple: The key to becoming a faster athlete is to consistently train in an athletic fashion under conditions which allow for optimum training results.

Improvements in speed and athletic ability are analogous to any other sport skill. If you want to be better at a specific sports skill, you must practice that skill repeatedly. Once you get to higher levels of competition, the difference between the average and great players, those that get scholarships or just walk-on to college teams is in an athlete’s basic athletic ability. After looking at actual skill performance, college and pro scouts will attest that the next most important factor in selecting athletes is the ability to run, accelerate, and be agile or flexible. Running and jumping are your most basic athletic skills which must be both learned properly and practiced continually in order to improve.

[b]The Recipe for Success[/b]

To perform appropriate sports performance training, the facility that you select should be able to offer, at a minimum, the following amenities: Detailed and planned programming and progression, safe and controlled training conditions and certified (CSCS or ACSM), skill coaches. Sports performance training is much different than the typical weightlifting/body building/strongman/fitness training that many smaller gyms or lesser certified trainers offer. Keeping in mind that proper sports performance training can reduce the risk of injury over 400% but improper conditions or an unproven training approach could increase the occurrence of injury while decreasing the likelihood of notable improvements in athletic performance. In this article, we will go over the importance of facilities.

[b]Location, Location, Location[/b]

The environment in which you train is as important as how you train. Another question that we are asked all the time is: “Why don’t we just train on our field/court/rink?” In response, we note that although teams like ASU, Arizona and NAU have free access to their own practice areas, they spend time indoors, training in dedicated speed facilities - working on speed and athleticism skills instead of doing such activities on the field or court. These programs have learned through trial and error that the best results in speed and athleticism are achieved inside a training facility.

Even with a very competently designed program, poor field conditions and risky environmental factors can lead to complications during the training period. Hot temperatures over the summer drastically reduce the athlete’s ability to thermoregulate (regulate body temperature) causing the body to tire; therefore, outdoor activity even when the sun is low in the sky can limit the amount of quality work that can be performed. Participating in sprint and agility drills on parking lot surfaces or loose gravel can limit the athlete’s ability to concentrate on the drill due to fear of slipping and falling. Arizona’s hard and dry outdoor playing surfaces are also notorious for increasing the incidence of painful conditions such as shin splints and turf toe.

It is imperative for the success of any sports performance program that an athlete can concentrate on the lesson plan and limit outside disturbances. You can mix it up and do field training every once in a while but performance data overwhelmingly points to better results when training inside the dedicated facility versus the field of play. For optimal results, choose an indoor climate controlled training facility with cushioned surfaces.

Velocity Sports Performance located at 9171 E. Bell Road has the solution to your training needs for year round sports performance. Our state of the art 15,000 sq. foot climate controlled facility provides the ideal conditions to train for speed, agility and explosive power. Our degreed, certified and knowledgable staff can evaluate and assist any athlete with their individual needs. Summer training camps are available as well as team and individual programs. Visit Velocity Sports Performance at www.azvsp.com or call 480-467-4686 to schedule a free trial session and experience the advatage a professional training center can make on your performance.