I know my son is my son because he runs as slow as I did when I was his age. I know that he will make a good lineman if he wants to play because he is quick for two-three yards but after that he just doesn't seem to carry his speed. I've been racing with him in the yard trying to make it "fun" with out pressure but I would like to see him get his speed up before it matters. Is there anything I can do that would be fun and not pressure him?

There are speed camps and in reading a board from a state that is right next to Ohio they are having some good results in getting kids to run faster.

How old?

Speed training works. I have seen it with my son but they need to be at least 13-14 years old. If you do it make sure the trainer knows what he is doing, he should be able to show you who ha/she has worked with.

teach him the correct way to run. Alot of kids dont know how to run and can get more out of their ability. Speed training helps but they must know how to run to get the most out of that training.

Dot drills and Plyometric Boxes to increase foot speed. Crucial for O linemen.

Telling a kid to turn off the X box and get outside and play helps too.

skank wrote: Telling a kid to turn off the X box and get outside and play helps too.

+1

skank wrote: Telling a kid to turn off the X box and get outside and play helps too.

+1

THE4RINGZ wrote:

skank wrote: Telling a kid to turn off the X box and get outside and play helps too.

+1

My son does Duane Carlisle's "How to Become a Better Athlete" dvd. It has a lot for kids of all levels and with lots of content, your son will not get bored. My son, who is 9, cut a full second off his 40 time from when I tested him in January to when I tested him in April.

Squirmydog wrote: My son does Duane Carlisle's "How to Become a Better Athlete" dvd. It has a lot for kids of all levels and with lots of content, your son will not get bored. My son, who is 9, cut a full second off his 40 time from when I tested him in January to when I tested him in April.

Haha! He's 9 and you're timing his 40?

What is a typical 40 time for a 9 year old ?

Squirmydog wrote: My son does Duane Carlisle's "How to Become a Better Athlete" dvd. It has a lot for kids of all levels and with lots of content, your son will not get bored. My son, who is 9, cut a full second off his 40 time from when I tested him in January to when I tested him in April.

What are his times now compared to when he was 3 years old?

using correct form is key, teach him right from the beginning, arms are very important to running, just the correct take off can shave time, at 9 years old just work on his form. as the dad you should read up on running, or go see a speed trainer to get the correct form and inforce that in you running games with him. he is too young to start sending him to training. the fundimentals are key.
Jumpstretch band training is one of the best things you can do for him in overall speed, flexability, quickness and jumping, and they will not start training him until he is over 10. if he is this "slow" he must be a bigger kid, if this is the case lineman very rarely run 40 yards, but they are all about foot quickness. running 10 yard bursts from a stance, backward running is so important in pass blocking, sideways foot speed for pulling.
anything they can do to keep their feet moving.
jump rope, don't laugh but playing hopscotch, dot drills, running the 3 and 4 cone drills.
their are millions of thing, but like many of people said here....put the playstation down and get outside and play

Get him one of those parachute things to wear when he is running his 40s in the back yard.

Squirmydog wrote: My son does Duane Carlisle's "How to Become a Better Athlete" dvd. It has a lot for kids of all levels and with lots of content, your son will not get bored. My son, who is 9, cut a full second off his 40 time from when I tested him in January to when I tested him in April.

How many bench press reps of 225 can he do? :rolleyes:

What is his vertical?

Proper technique (see a track coach) and speed training will help, as well as lifting and core muscle workouts.

The 40 is such an overrated piece of evaluation for football. The only positions that IMO the 40 can even evaluate are WR's and DB's, maybe TB's. Everyone else straight ahead speed isnt important. What is important is that burst off of the line or at the snap. The ability to change directions quickly, while maintaining balance and force potential, the ability to hit someone or avoid someone on the move. Footwork, and the core of the body from the knees to the chest are whats important on most football positions.

Its an activity he likes to do. Its no different than a kid who runs track. The question was for help to get a kid faster. I offered my input. Scoff if you like. And yes, the 40 is overrated.

Squirmydog wrote: Its an activity he likes to do. Its no different than a kid who runs track. The question was for help to get a kid faster. I offered my input. Scoff if you like. And yes, the 40 is overrated.

That's cool. As long it's something he likes/wants to do for fun and not something dad makes him do.

WebFire wrote:

Squirmydog wrote: Its an activity he likes to do. Its no different than a kid who runs track. The question was for help to get a kid faster. I offered my input. Scoff if you like. And yes, the 40 is overrated.

That's cool. As long it's something he likes/wants to do for fun and not something dad makes him do.

Its ok. No one will ever accuse me of being a "little league dad". The quickest way to kill a child's passion is to push. I have to dial him back soometimes, or he would overtrain. He likes to work out with the middle school team. He is not allowed to lift weights, but he does all of the aerobic, medicine ball, and agility stuff they do. Check out the dvd. There is a lot of great stuff in it, and its fun for the kids.

A simple matter of "voltage" will also handle the issue NAZE.

If your son is trying to get a faster 40 time or whatever distance------have him focus on something and run to it--it ensures you run straight and can make a slight difference-----