Speed!

Here in America, and im sure all over the world speed is very important in being a good soccer player. I am average when it comes to speed and quickness, but I want to get faster, a lot faster! what is a good drill or exercise to gain speed? Your information will come very important to me, thanks!

running?

sprints?

sprint up hill for speed and just play indoor soccer for quickness.

I know about sprints, but running your ass off helps you with endurance and stamina if im not wrong? I just seen some pics and did any of you see how huge Obafemi Martins's thighs are?!?!? Roberto Carlos too who is also fast has big thighs like a horse... do big thighs determine how fast you are?

there is 2 types of muscle. One is good for endurance and the other is good for sprinting. Some people have more of one type than the other. So big thighs are a part of it but not the only thing.

There is maximum speed and also acceleration. Ronaldo is not fastest, but he can accelerate to his top speed faster than almost any other player so he makes room for his goals that way.

For acceleration training you should try some plyometric/agility drills. Look online for drills used by american football teams as they are good for this type of training also.
There is specific football ones on these
http://members.aol.com/CatsFutbol/plyometrics.html.
http://www.sport-fitness-advisor.com/plyometrics.html
http://www.thepitch.org/text/dr3.htm

I assume you are allready quite fit because these exercises require that allready and they are beginners. If you are on a team talk to your coach about including drills for this.

This is part of the stuff I study at university so you can trust me,

lots of sex and steroids....there's no subsitute for "lots of sex" you either get it or don't, simple.

so northstar, the best thing to do is to work your acceleration muscles?

it's about muscle fibre types, if you have white, fast ones you will be better at sprints or acceleration but the power only lasts for like 10 - 15 seconds. red, slow ones are for people with more endurance strength, they last longer and allow you to go at a good pace for longer like a marathon runner. it depends on how much you have of either one, it is pretty much determined by genetics from ur parents.

How do you guys check this stuff, I hope I have pink ones so I can have speed and endurence

i learn about it in year 12 pe here in australia and there r no such things as red ones, you either have more of one or the other pretty much depending on ur parents!!!

I'd say I have a ton of white ones considering I'm very quick and that I almost faint after a two mile run

most likely you do, and i'm pretty sure you can't really train them much, just make the ones you have better and stronger!!!

Thanks a lot everyone, and especially to Northstar for all this info, I apreciate it man. Any more sugestions?

Originally posted by BobbyDooley
lthere's no subsitute for "lots of sex" you either get it or don't, simple.

Click to expand...

Your right hand?

hahahaha kids these days, j/k :funpost: :mexican: :funny:

one more suggestion I have is when you do drills, that you time the results at first and then every couple weeks to see if you are actually improving. Otherwise you will just be guessing if its working or not.

those "white" muscles are fast twitch fibers. some people simply have mre than others. yes, you can get faster by being in good shape. endurence is key, but that's to maintain your top speed. the world clas runner can get to their top speed in 3-5 paces and sustain it for 80 meters...you might want to try 400 meters of 100 sprinting, 100 jogging, ect. this simulates more of a game situation. it should be repeated ideally for 1.5 miles. also, alot of speed comes from your upper body too. the more weigh you have to distribute can increase speed. look at top sprints...they have big legs and arms. if you do these things, i don't think you'll have a problem

also, work on your stride. run only on your toes and keep your arms pumping!!!!! (not in an up and down motion )

is working on your calves and thighs in a weightroom same as doing these drills that northstar said?