Z-Health Master Practitioner

9S:Speed
Technique Matters
 Course Roadmap
•  Speed Realities
•  Movement Speed Neurology
•  Posture, Torque, Timing &
Technique
•  Speed Coaching Concepts
“I can make
you faster,
but I can’t
make you
fast.”
Usain Bolt
Ties
Fastest
NFL 40
Meter
Time of
Video May Be Watched
4.22 in the Video Presentation
Seconds
 Fast
Movement
Is Natural
But Technique Absolutely Matters
Automaticity
Is Not A
Measure of
Excellence
 Neural
Efficiency
Hypothesis
Key Speed
Structures
•  Voluntary Movement Pathways
•  Reflexive Stability Pathways
•  Areas of Special Interest
•  Mesencephalic Locomotor
Region
•  Basal Ganglia
•  Amygdala/Limbic Lobe
•  Cerebellum
•  Spinal Central Pattern
Generators
The Midbrain
Is a Primary
Regulator of
Speed
Basal Ganglia Activation Is Central To Hand Speed
Long-Term Training Enhances Functional Integration of the
Cortico-Basal Ganglia Loops
Speed Training
Increases Grey
Matter In The
Cerebellum
Autonomic
Control
Matters In
Speed
Development
 Speed Development Concepts
•  Solve Reflexive Control Issues at Sports Speed
•  Consider “Stacks” to Target Specific Speed
Neural Circuits
•  Evaluate Posture, Torque, Timing & Technique
•  Focus on EFOA Cues
•  Make Intense Use of Augmented Feedback
•  Imagery, Relaxation Training and Breathing All
Matter
Posture
 •  Long Spine/Long
Sacrum
•  Xiphoid Forward
•  Neutral Pelvis
•  Xiphoid
Forward Cue
Creates Mild
Anterior Tilt
Visually
•  Stable Head/
Neck

Posture Keys •  Optimal Foot/

Ground Contact
•  Relaxation
Torque
Human are torque beings; and
torque is rotation or twisting. We
are more efficient moving with
rotation than we are linearly.
- Adarian Barr
 •  Weight Shifts
•  Rotation
•  Wider Base (.31 Meters in
Sprints)
•  Push off Inside of Foot
•  Shin Drop to Horizontal Push
•  Matching Shin and Trunk
Angles
•  Arms Counter Lower Body

Torque Keys
Timing
Although
considerations of
strength, power and
kinematic sequence
dominate the
preparation of an
athlete, playing the
game itself is all
about timing.

- Dr. John Milton

•  Timing In Sprinting
•  Arm Swing
•  Knee Scissors
Attractors & Fluctuators

•  Posture
•  Torque
•  Timing
 Technique
Every sport has a
set of unique
technical
requirements. The
job of a coach is to
understand and
refine this, in
conjunction with
the athlete, OVER
TIME.
Skill execution does not change
between players. Everyone must
execute the same actions in order
to execute the skill effectively.
The only differences between
players are seen in range of
motion, the sequence of the body
parts going into action, the speed
with which the limbs are moved,
and the number of body parts
involved. In other words, even
though everyone does the same
thing, they can all express it
somewhat differently.”

~ Dr. Michael Yessis,

Build a Better Athlete
Speed Coaching • 
• 
Video Analysis of Experts
Understand Performance Bandwidth
Excellence •  Design Drills to Make Things Clean & Easy
•  Use Augmented Feedback
Augmented Feedback Is Key
Faster Movement Via Instant Feedback
Feedback On Speed Improves Speed
by Frans Bosch:
Speed Strength
- Joel Smith
Thank You!