Episode 030 - Mike Kozak on Rethinking Sprint Mechanics & Acceleration

In this episode, Coach Ryan Patrick sits down with speed training expert Mike Kozak to break down sprint mechanics, acceleration, and the misconceptions surrounding traditional speed development. Mike shares his evolution from strength-based training to a more efficient, biomechanically sound approach to sprinting.Topics Covered:✅ The importance of shin angle change in acceleration✅ Why pushing harder isn't always the key to faster sprints✅ The squatted running posture and its role in force production✅ Adjusting training for heavy, strength-biased athletes vs. elastic athletes✅ Applying sprint principles to volleyball and vertical jump training✅ What drills to remove from your speed training programIf you're a coach, athlete, or strength professional looking to refine your sprint training methodology, this episode is packed with actionable insights![00:00] - Introduction[02:54] - Mike Kozak's Background & Journey into Speed Training[06:00] - Early Influences & The NFL Combine Revelation[10:14] - Moving Away from Traditional Strength-Based Speed Training[16:24] - Acceleration Mechanics & The Squatted Posture[24:03] - Overcoming Overstriding & Inefficient Push Mechanics[32:07] - Shin Angle Change & Its Role in Sprinting[38:51] - Structuring a Training Session for Speed Development[45:00] - Applying Speed Concepts to Volleyball & Vertical Jumping[49:49] - What to Remove from Speed Training Programs[54:11] - Final Takeaways on Sprinting & Athletic Development[59:00] - Where to Find Mike KozakConnect with Mike Kozak:IG: @soarfitness💬 What are your thoughts on this episode? Drop a comment below!#SpeedTraining #Acceleration #SprintMechanics #AthleticDevelopment #SportsPerformance #StrengthAndConditioning #VerticalJump #SpeedCoach #Sprinting #CoachRyanPatrick