Sports Speed

Reach your playing speed potential! As an athlete or coach who knows that faster is better, you'll appreciate the advice offered in Sports Speed.

With all-new techniques and drills to improve your straight-ahead and multidirectional speed, Sports Speed will help you improve your ability to start, stop, change direction, and accelerate, taking your performance to the next level.

No matter what sport you play or coach, you'll learn all aspects of speed development, including

-tests and assessment,
-strength base building,
-ballistic and plyometric training,
-speed endurance training,
-running technique,
-footwork drills,
-overspeed training, and
-program planning and periodization.

Photo sequences accompanied by detailed descriptions teach all the fine points of technique. Sample speed training programs for basketball, football, baseball, softball, and soccer can be used as they are or modified to meet specific needs. Charts, tables, and worksheets in each chapter help coaches and athletes understand and apply the material.

George B. Dintiman, a professor emeritus of health and physical education at Virginia Commonwealth University, has more than 30 years of experience working on speed improvement with athletes at all levels--from beginners to the pros. The author of 40 books and four videos on speed improvement and health and wellness topics, Dintiman also is cofounder and president of the National Association of Speed and Explosion and an internationally recognized authority on speed improvement for team sports.

A Little All-American running back at Lock Haven University, Dintiman set many rushing and scoring records, several of which remain. He was a draft choice of the NFL Baltimore Colts and the CFL Montreal Alouettes in 1958. He also was a star of Lock Haven's basketball and track teams.

Dintiman received an EdD from the Teachers College of Columbia University in 1964. In 1993 he was an inductee in the Capital Area chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.

Dintiman has two daughters, one son, and three grandchildren. He lives on the Outer Banks of North Carolina where he and his wife, Carol Ann, are avid fitness participants in tennis, running, cycling, kayaking, and weight training.

Bob Ward is a sport scientist who was conditioning coach for the Dallas Cowboys from 1976 to 1989. He is currently director of sports science for Advocare in Dallas. An author, columnist, and lecturer, Ward has coached athletes at all levels, from high school and college to pro and Olympic.

Ward became aware of the need for sports conditioning while competing as an athlete in football and track. In 1954 he was an NAIA All-American fullback at Whitworth College in Spokane, Washington. Today he competes in masters track and field and for USA Weightlifting in his age group.

Ward has coached several Olympic champions and numerous championship football and track teams. During his tenure as coach at Fullerton College, athletes set national records in the high hurdle relay, the discus, and the hammer throw.

Ward has authored other books on sport speed and has lectured extensively on conditioning, track and field, and nutritional support for athletes. He developed a software program--based on many forms of the martial arts--that is currently used in the NFL and at many colleges. Ward also developed a sport martial arts video, Creating Big Plays, with NFL Hall-of-Famer Randy White and world-class martial artist Valentine Espiriceuta.

Ward received a PED from Indiana University in 1973. He is a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Ward and his wife, Joyce, enjoy being a part of all aspects of their five grandchildren's growth and development.