Many youth football players always ask me how they can get faster and reduce their 40 yard time. To their surprise I provide them a simple but powerful statement, “Practice running fast”.  Clearly, to “practice” running fast is a combination of good coaching and technique. For that reason I would like to share a little coaching to any youth football player that would like to “practice” running fast so they can then translate that speed into game time situations.

To start all youth should understand that speed is something can be taught and it is not just something you are born with. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that “no matter how hard you try or train you will never be faster than what you were born with”.  You are as fast as you want to be.  No matter how un-athletic your parents may be or you have always been over weight, YOU determine your athletic speed capabilities.

With that in mind here is a very simple but powerful way to enhance your speed in dramatic a way where you will see results in a matter of weeks. This drill is going to utilize a running chute (you can find one at www.touchdownskills.com by clicking on the following link http://www.touchdownskills.com/products/runnchute.html )

Step 1: Find a park or field that gives you 60-75 yards to run straight. Get a stopwatch that can measure your rest intervals.

Step 2: Place 2 cones 40 yards apart. For most people one yard is the same distance as a elongated walking stride.

Step 3 (Warm Up):  Without the running chute begin at the start and run at 80% your maximum speed. Focus on driving your knees high, looking straight ahead and keeping your arms pumping straight up and down. Go down and back 2 times. Rest 1 minute between each 40 yards.

 Step 4: By following the running chute instructions place the chute on your body. Begin at the start of the 40 yards in a get off position.  Run at the a gradual pace for the first 10 yards and then go 100% to finish. You should feel a lot of resistance and to some it may be difficult to run. However, do not lose focus on your technique. Keep arms driving, high knees and looking straight ahead.

Step 5: Run 8-10 40’s with 1 minute rest in between each interval.

To see instant results you must implement this workout at least once during your training week and for a 6-8 week period.  

All I have to say is “FINALLY”. After winning 3 Super Bowls and being one of the few dynasties to ever exist in pro football the New England Patriots have now exposed to the world one component of their success. No, I am not talking about their ability to scout talent or Belichick’s unique coaching philosophy (which are undeniably the best in the NFL). I am talking about their ability to “predict” their opponent’s defensive schemes and “skillfully” call the right play to counter attack that defense.  Upon recent revelations, those abilities are neither skillful nor good coaching, they are plain and simple CHEATING!

After years of speculating by opponents and coaches around the NFL, it is now official that the Patriots “uncanny” ability to put their offense in the perfect scheme has been due to the fact they have been taping the defense signals of opposing teams. You may ask yourself, “How is that such a terrible offense that merits one to say that they are cheating?” It is plain and simple; first, the NFL has rules in place that clearly define that an opposing team cannot film the other coaches during the game. The rule is designed to protect integrity and the skillfulness of the game. Much like certain substances are banned from competition for players because they can provide an unfair advantage over the opponent, the same can be applied for this rule. Second, any NFL team with the right support staff can correlate defensive signals with defensive schemes within 2-4 series. That means a team could totally decipher an opponents game plan within a quarter and a half. (In the Patriots case, they could have all the defensive play calls completely translated the next time they play Jets or when they face a repeat team in the playoffs.) All an offensive coach would have to do is call in a personnel group, have the QB line them up in a no huddle, wait for the opposing defense coach to call in the scheme, and then the offensive coordinator would then call in the play to expose the defense with plenty of time for the offense to execute it. 

Clearly by all means what the Patriots have been found guilty falls in violation of the competitive balance the NFL establishes each year. Just as if a player were found to have used steroids or HGH to gain a competitive advantage and is suspended a certain number of games, the same severity of punishment should be handed down to the Patriots. As such if I were Commissioner Goodell and since this was a first time offense I would recommend ONE or MORE of the following punishments to be handed down on the New England Patriots.

1)      A loss of their 2^nd, 4th and 6^th round draft picks for the 2008 NFL Draft.

2)      A suspension of 4 regular season games for Coach Belickick and the Assistant Head Coach (without pay)

3)      Reduction in Salary Cap for the 2008 Season

4)   Loss of a NFL Playoff home game