Why Most Athletes Train Speed Wrong

In this episode of Building the Athlete, we break down speed training for athletes and why most athletes (and coaches) are getting it wrong. From acceleration and deceleration mechanics to the difference between game speed vs track speed, this conversation dives deep into what actually improves sports performance. We cover: How to increase speed for any sport The difference between strength training and true speed development Why acceleration and deceleration training matter Common speed training mistakes Injury prevention through eccentric training Sports performance programming for long-term athlete development The role of nutrition and recovery in speed and performance If you’re a coach, parent, or athlete looking to improve explosiveness, agility, sprint speed, and overall athletic performance, this episode gives you practical insight into building real game speed that transfers to competition. Speed isn’t just about running fast — it’s about mechanics, consistency, recovery, and training with purpose. Whether you coach football, basketball, soccer, baseball, track, or any field or court sport, this episode will challenge how you think about sports performance training. Subscribe for more content on: Speed training Strength & conditioning Athlete development Injury prevention Sports nutrition Recovery strategies Performance coaching Train fast. Recover smart. Build better athletes. Like this episode, leave a comment about topics your curious about, and give this podcast a rating! Follow us on IG @bensonsportstraining for more content