72. Speed Training > Weight Room w/ Mike Sullivan

The Coaches Table

In this conversation, Kendrick Pratt and Mike Sullivan discuss the importance of speed development in athletic performance. They emphasize the need to prioritize speed over strength and highlight the disconnect between strength in the weight room and performance on the field. They also discuss the differences between muscle-driven and elastic-driven athletes and how to train them accordingly. Additionally, they address the challenges of training speed in a team setting and offer solutions for training speed in limited space. In this conversation, Mike Sullivan and Kendrick Pratt discuss various topics related to training and performance. They cover the benefits and challenges of ISOs (isometric exercises), the importance of timing in speed development, the impact of travel on recovery and sprint speed, and the Move the Needle Human Performance podcast. They emphasize the importance of sharing knowledge and resources to improve training practices.

Takeaways

• Speed development is a crucial aspect of athletic performance and should be prioritized over strength training.
• There is a disconnect between strength in the weight room and performance on the field, with speed being a more important factor in determining an athlete's success.
• Muscle-driven and elastic-driven athletes require different training approaches, with a focus on speed development for both.
• Training speed in a team setting can be challenging, but it is important to find ways to incorporate speed training regardless of space limitations.
• Isolation exercises in the weight room can be used to train specific qualities of sprinting, such as high force, coordination, and stiffness. ISOs can be a valuable addition to a training program, but they can also be boring and monotonous.
• Timing is essential in speed development, as it provides valuable feedback on an athlete's performance and central nervous system readiness.
• Travel can have a significant impact on an athlete's recovery and sprint speed, and coaches need to be mindful of this when planning training sessions.
• The Move the Needle Human Performance podcast is a valuable resource for coaches and athletes, providing insights and education on high-performance training.
• Sharing knowledge and resources is crucial for the growth and improvement of training practices.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and Show Promotion

01:21
Transitioning Back to the College Sector

02:21
The Importance of Speed Development

05:12
The Disconnect Between Strength and Performance

06:15
Identifying and Categorizing Muscle-Driven and Elastic-Driven Athletes

08:31
The Importance of Playing to an Athlete's Strengths

10:44
Avoiding the Mistake of Prioritizing Strength Over Performance

13:44
Identifying and Training Elastic and Muscle-Driven Athletes

18:14
Adapting Speed Training in a Team Setting

22:37
Training Speed in a Weight Room Setting

27:28
Avoiding the Mistake of Neglecting Speed Training

31:54
Training Speed in Limited Space

37:03
The Benefits and Challenges of ISOs

38:15
The Importance of Timing in Speed Development

41:45
The Impact of Travel on Recovery and Sprint Speed

42:50
The Move the Needle Human Performance Podcast

45:19
The Importance of Sharing Knowledge and Resources

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