Sprint Training for a 10-Year-Old Boy in Cork

byronbay2

I have a son who is an excellent athlete and sportsperson. He is quick but I feel his straight-line speed could improve a lot with the right coaching and drills - I don't think his running style/technique is correct. Could anyone recommend a coach or running club that could help him to improve his sprinting ability. BTW, he is as fit as a flea so would not need much actual training to bring him up to a decent level.

We live in Cork city centre (near Mardyke Arena) but could travel to anywhere in the city. Any and all advice appreciated.

rom

byronbay2 wrote: »

I have a son who is an excellent athlete and sportsperson. He is quick but I feel his straight-line speed could improve a lot with the right coaching and drills - I don't think his running style/technique is correct. Could anyone recommend a coach or running club that could help him to improve his sprinting ability. BTW, he is as fit as a flea so would not need much actual training to bring him up to a decent level.

We live in Cork city centre (near Mardyke Arena) but could travel to anywhere in the city. Any and all advice appreciated.

Have you child join Leevale and don't be one of those parents that turns their child off the sport. At this age he should be doing it for fun. If its fun then he will get better. If you put pressure on him then it won't be.

He may be a bit young for this but there is always this next weekend. http://www.catherinamckiernan.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=3&tabid=877

Re running style. Your obviously looking for help so just because it does not look right doesn't mean anything. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dg3RV7icrLI Current silver medalist and new york winners have strange running styles.

dna_leri

rom wrote: »

Have you child join Leevale and don't be one of those parents that turns their child off the sport. At this age he should be doing it for fun. If its fun then he will get better. If you put pressure on him then it won't be.
.

This bit definitely, join a local club. A good coach will help with overall athletic development including technique, over time.

rom wrote: »

He may be a bit young for this but there is always this next weekend. http://www.catherinamckiernan.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=3&tabid=877
.

This bit definitely not, this is not for 10 year olds who like to run fast.

byronbay2

Thanks for the replies. Is Leevale the best club for someone who is only interested in sprinting/speed training - does the club have a good sprint coach? I don't want the boy doing long slow runs.

rom

byronbay2 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. Is Leevale the best club for someone who is only interested in sprinting/speed training - does the club have a good sprint coach? I don't want the boy doing long slow runs.

Leevale is the correct club. its good enough for derval o'rourke when she was a junior.

http://www.leevale.org/html/indoor-juvenile-records.htm

ecoli

Leevale would be a very well ran club and the coaches would be able to cater for the childs development. This next bit is not meant as a criticism so apologies if it comes across as such but my advice would be to take a step back from the situation.

Try not to put pressure on the kid by having the "excellent sportsperson" mentality. I know you want the best for the kid and are looking to develop the childs speed but at that age specification is not the best approach. At that age a coach will focus on all round fundamental movement skills and sports specific skills rather than just sprinter skills so as such at that age there will be very few coaches anywhere who will be specifically looking to coach the child as a sprinter.

drquirky

byronbay2 wrote: »

I don't want the boy doing long slow runs.

What does he wanna do? Thats probably a hell of a lot more important than what you want....

EauRouge79

Belgooly/Kinsale AC juveniles train in CIT on Tuesday evening, I think starting from 7 or 7:30pm. Sprints look to be the main activity and some fields events as well.
Plenty of Leevale scouts present most evenings as well from what I make out.....

RoyMcC

Good for you OP. It's just the right age to encourage a youngster to join a club and get a bit of coaching. If speed is his thing then he will improve no end with some (basic) technical work and training in a fun setting with children of his own age.

If he decides to do other sports in due course, or wants to specialise in longer stuff, then any speed training he's done will stand him in good stead.

Btw I see nothing in the opening post to suggest that the lad is being forced down any particular road.

byronbay2

drquirky wrote: »

What does he wanna do? Thats probably a hell of a lot more important than what you want....

Again, thanks for all the replies. I used the phrase "excellent sportsperson" to emphasise that I would not be getting him involved in athletics to get him fit but more particularly to improve his prospects at the other sports he plays.

I don't envisage him becoming a top sprinter but have seen how vital speed is (and what a huge advantage exceptional pace is) at the sports he currently plays. I'm fairly sure that speed, like strength and agility, can be improved by specialised training and would be interested in getting him this specialised training, if it was available.

I would like to stress that I am by no means a "dad from hell", pushing my son to do things he has no interest in. All he cares about is sport and I want to give him every chance to excel.