10 Types of Speed

If one of your soccer goals involves speed (i.e. - being a more explosive dribbler, improving passing range, improve services from the outside, being more competitive winning 50/50's ) or you just want to be faster, THIS is a great article about the different types of speed from World Class Coaching.

Make sure to check out Part 2 - Neuromuscular or Physical Speed for stuff you can do at home to become faster.

Here is a quick rundown:

1. Anticipation (understanding the game, preparing mentally, being ready, preparedness, pre-calculation of trajectory, speed, force…)
2. Recognition (seeing a situation develop and knowing what to do, decision making speed, sensing changes in touch, sight and sound (tactile, visual and auditory indicators), cued by recognizing sequences or preparatory movements)
3. Reaction (response time, neuromuscular, motor reaction sequencing, sensing time and decision time, improved by repetition of various neuromuscular skill work, efficiency in execution of specific motor patterns, “time between stimulus and response”, specific reaction times…)
4. Acceleration (factor of strength, power, starting explosive strength, resistance to fatigue, genetic factors, mechanics of movement…)
5. Deceleration (strength, understanding of movement, positioning, center of gravity, body control…)
6. Transition (the point in which you transition from deceleration to acceleration – agility, core strength, proprioception, plyometric, neuromuscular efficiency in generating explosive force, stretch shortening cycle…)
7. Speed Endurance – Max Speed (genetic factors, ability to relax, combination of V=S(L) x S(F), running economy and energy expenditure, also seen as a combination of horizontal thrust and vertical oscillation of the athletes center of gravity, rarely comes into play in team sports…)
8. Speed Against an Opponent (combination of the 4 physical (neuromuscular) speed characteristics with the 3 mental (cognitive) characteristics, seeing changes in an opponent’s position, and reacting subconsciously to those, then possessing the physical ability to adjust or alter your speed to get the advantage…)
9. Speed with a Ball/Bat/Racket (combination of the 4 physical speed characteristics and technical ball handling ability or skill, requires many repetitions to fine tune the precise motor skills, timing, tracking, trajectories,…)
10. Speed with the Ball, Against and Opponent (This is the ultimate goal, it requires an broad understanding of the game and its limits, rules, and expectations: it also requires an awareness of your opponent (tactile, visual, auditory, etc), then the repetitions of skill