Speed Report: The History of Football Speed Development in America (Part II)

In part one, we chronicled the history of football and weight training changes over the years. My point of emphasis was to provide you with insight to the path football speed has taken. The amazing thing about the history of football speed is that there isn’t a recorded history to be found. This article will summarize where it began and where it is today. I was the first football speed coach in America. I began coaching football and track sprints in 1968 at the high school level. The only sprints for football in those days were called wind sprints, a conditioning term as opposed to today’s speed development. While at a junior college in 1978, two football players approached me about helping them develop their speed. I agreed to help them after practice two days per week. In short order, the two athletes showed real improvement. A light then went off in my mind. Where do