Developing Speed

Speed has long been recognized as a key component of superior sport performance. Whether they are chasing down a long pass in football or sprinting down the court on a fast break in basketball, an athlete’s speed is a major factor in overall athletic ability.

Authored by 19 of the top National Strength and Conditioning Association experts, Developing Speed, Second Edition, is the definitive resource for creating scientifically sound training programs that take speed to the highest level. The guide is designed to address the full gamut of speed training, with topics such as these:

• Sprint starts
• Acceleration
• Maximal velocity
• Speed endurance
• Sport-specific application

Developing Speed blends science with practice, providing information on how to develop speed regimens for 12 sports: baseball, softball, basketball, football, ice hockey, rugby, soccer, tennis, field hockey, lacrosse, sprint (track) cycling, and speed skating. The book provides instruction and photos for sport-specific drills as well as assessments to test various aspects of speed. It also provides the necessary information to design effective speed training programs for any sport in which running speed is an important component.

Packed with the latest research and recommendations from the world’s leading sport conditioning organization, Developing Speed contains everything coaches and athletes need to increase speed, blow past the competition, and achieve their performance goals.

Earn continuing education credits/units! A continuing education exam that uses this book is also available. It may be purchased separately or as part of a package that includes both the book and exam.

ABOUT THE NSCA
The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) is the world’s leading organization in the field of sport conditioning. Drawing on the resources and expertise of the most recognized professionals in strength training and conditioning, sport science, performance research, education, and sports medicine, the NSCA is the world’s trusted source of knowledge and training guidelines for coaches and athletes. The NSCA provides the crucial link between the lab and the field.

ABOUT THE EDITOR
Ian Jeffreys, PhD, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT*D, RSCC*E, FNSCA, is an internationally renowned and award-winning coach, educator, and author. He is regarded as a world authority in the development of speed and agility for team sports, where his unique Gamespeed system and RAMP warm-up protocols have been adopted by a wide range of coaches and organizations. A former professional rugby player, he played at the highest level for 15 years. Jeffreys is now the director of All-Pro Performance, a consultancy and education company based in Brecon, Wales. He is a professor emeritus in strength and conditioning and a visiting professor at Reykjavik University. He provides consulting services to several professional sports organizations. Jeffreys has worked with athletes, clubs, and sports organizations in over 20 countries.

Jeffreys holds the Emeritus Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach (RSCC*E), Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS,*D), and Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT*D) credentials from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). He was on the board of directors of the NSCA between 2016 and 2019, was the vice president between 2018 and 2019, and in July 2024 begins serving a three-year term as the president of the organization. He was the NSCA’s High School Professional of the Year in 2006, the first time the award had ever been presented to a coach working outside the United States. This was awarded for his pioneering work in developing a performance academy for youth athletes that produced numerous international performers and championship teams. In July 2009 Jeffreys was awarded a fellowship by the NSCA.

Jeffreys is a founding member of the United Kingdom Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA) and was a member of the board of directors from the organization’s inception in 2004 until 2013. He holds the UKSCA’s Accredited Strength and Conditioning Coach (ASCC) credential and is an honorary fellow of the association as well as being an assessor and tutor. In 2019 Jeffreys was made a lifetime member of the Polish Strength and Conditioning Association, and in 2021 he was awarded a Career Achievement Award by the Strength and Conditioning Society, recognizing his contribution to the profession of strength and conditioning.

Jeffreys has authored or edited 11 books, over 25 book chapters, and over 100 strength and conditioning articles, which have featured in the leading international journals. He is the editor of the UKSCA journal Professional Strength and Conditioning and is on the editorial board for the NSCA’s Strength and Conditioning Journal and for Journal of Australian Strength and Conditioning. Jeffreys is a sought-after conference presenter and has given keynote presentations and hosted performance workshops at a host of major conferences around the world.