Critical to
speed in soccer is using your arms correctly. Have you ever
tried to move your arms quickly while moving your legs (in a running
motion) slowly? I will tell you right now it is down right
difficult. The reason is the two are basically tied together.
The body works in a way that allows the arms to drive the movement
of the legs. If your arms move fast so do your legs.
When
teaching sprinting and speed for soccer a foundation (not the
foundation) is teaching correct use of the arms. Here are some
of the
basic highlights to keep in mind:
Keep the arms at 90 degrees.
But, it will not always work out to be
90 degrees. First, work to keep your arms at 90 degrees on
the upswing. That is, keep the arms at 90 degrees as
they move up and towards the shoulders or chin level. Second, the
arms may open to about 120 degrees when they swing behind the
back. That is OK. Don't punish yourself or the athlete if
it opens to such a degree. In fact, because of the power
of the backward swing the opening of the arm angle
is ok.
Opposite
arm, opposite leg theory applies. As the left leg goes
down so does the right arm. You really don't need to think
about this one, it just happens.
Up
swing-The arms can swing up to the shoulder to chin level (this
may very based on who you ask.)
Backswing-behind the hips.
Be
relaxed. Don't sprint with tightly clinched fists.
Practice
good arm movement by using the drill shown below:
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