Each month for Adrenaline LAX, I will be writing a training tip that will be featured in a their newsletter that goes out to thousands of LAX players across the country. Why not share those insights with all of you right?!

Monthly Training Tip: Stride length vs. Stride frequency on the Lacrosse field

As a athlete performance specialist, I have spent many hours analyzing running technique, predominately with 8-18 year olds in various sports. One school of thought is that you are born with speed, which is only partly true. Athletes do get some of their ability from their parents. However, speed can be taught and it should happen at an early age. It is much easier for a 10 year old to learn and correct running mechanics then it is for a 17 year to learn and correct. The longer an athlete spends playing and competing with improper technique, the longer it takes to correct. An athlete who is struggling with foot speed on the field needs to focus on one thing first, contacting the ground as many times as possible with their feet. Once they have learned to be efficient with those steps, their stride length will have no choice but to lengthen out. Telling a lacrosse player who is struggling with foot speed to take longer steps will most likely have them running slower. The reason is because each step will land in front of their body causing them to slow down. In competition, if they are contacting the ground as many times as possible with their feet they will have a better chance at covering more ground. There are many drills that we like to use to help with stride frequency. Those drills paired with improving the strength and power of both legs could lead to a faster 40 yard dash time. If you have a question of would like more information contact us at EZIA Human Performance to set up an appointment to have those running mechanics analyzed.