02/07/2026
THURSDAY TRAINING TIP- ACCELERATION: THE FOUNDATION OF SPEED πββοΈ
One of the biggest mistakes I see athletes make when trying to get faster is focusing on top speed and ignoring acceleration.
In most sports, you rarely sprint 100 metres.
You need to be able to explode off the mark, win the first few steps, and create separation from your opponent.
Acceleration is your ability to go from 0 to top speed as quickly as possible.
Whether you play AFL, soccer, basketball, rugby, or combat sports, improving your acceleration can be a game changer.
Common mistakes:
β Standing too upright too early
β Taking short, choppy steps
β Not producing enough force into the ground
β Only doing conditioning and neglecting strength training
To improve acceleration:
β
Build lower body strength
β
Develop explosive power
β
Practice sprint starts
β
Focus on powerful forward body angles
β
Push the ground away with intent
Remember, speed isnβt just about moving your legs faster, itβs about producing force and applying it effectively.
The athletes who accelerate best are often the athletes who can produce the most force relative to their body weight.