Why Football Players Should Run Track

One of the most important aspects to succeed in football is pure running speed. What better way to increase speed than to run, run, and run.   But just running without proper technique won’t do much more than increase stamina.  Intelligent track coaches understand that the vast majority of events are based on speed and they train their athletes to be sure this is maximized.

For high school players and college players, one of the fastest ways to impress coaches and scouts at the next level is through a fast 40-yard dash time. Running track will help you become a better overall athlete as well, aiding in on-field performance.

Here’s some of the main reasons for football players to run track.

Your Best Form Will Come to the Forefront

There aren’t many variables in track, particularly for sprinters. It’s just straight-line running. Therefore, one small mistake in form can cost a runner a race. Therefore, track coaches concentrate mostly on proper technique to maximize speed. Once you have your form down, it will translate to the football field, running by defenders without giving it a second thought.

You’ll Be Able to Develop Better “Burst” of Speed

Getting off the starting block quickly is crucial to cutting a tenth or two from their 40-yard dash time, which makes a huge difference on the football field.  Getting off the blocks is very similar to getting off the line of scrimmage. The quicker you get off, the more advantage you have over your defender. In addition, the ability to accelerate, also taught by a track coach, will generate separation from you and a defender on the football field.

Gain Speed With Less Effort

Oftentimes football players run with reckless abandon, using brute force to go through defenders. If you notice track athletes, they are all about gliding across the ground, reaching maximum speed effortlessly.  An accomplished track coach will teach how to keep the body relaxed while using minimal force to reach top speed. Long sprint with short rest periods force runners to find their most efficient strides and arm motion to avoid fatigue. This will be very important in football, particularly late in the game when fatigue generally sets in.

Track Also Improves Strength

Running helps improve length strength, but not just any kind of running. It is known that sprinters develop amazing strength in their quads, which helps increase the amount of weight squatted during training sessions.  Forces put into the ground when sprinting are anywhere between two and five times one’s body weight.  The best improvements in speed and strength come from a combination of sprinting, throwing, and jumping. Track has all of this. The added leg strength will help football players break tackles and shed blocks.

Your Overall Athleticism Will Improve

Clearly running track will make you faster, and that in and of itself will make you a better athlete. But there is more to it than just running faster. Alson part of the equation deals with improving overall coordination.  There is little margin of error in a track race. Just the smallest miscue can get you off stride, causing you to lose a race. Therefore, running track will bring an awareness to your body mechanics that you never thought of while playing football.

You Will Learn To Perform Under Pressure

Let’s face it, when you’re on a football team, you are one of 11 on offense or one of 11 on defense.  You play as a unit.  Touchdowns can still happen even if a block is missed if another player picks up the slack. When running other than a relay, you are on your own. There is no one to help pick up the slack.  The final result is all on you.  While the challenge is huge, it can also bring out the competitor in you that no other sport can.  The inability for others to help increases your need to compete. If you are hesitant about this, track is necessary for you to learn how to perform under the most extreme pressure. It will help you when stepping on to the football field.

Nothing Beats Competition

When considering a football game, there may be in upwards of 150 plays. While there is always pressure to perform well, clearly some parts of the games are more intensely packed with pressure than others.  During a track event, there is always pressure. After all, you and only you, are responsible for how you perform. In essence, your primary competition isn’t really the other athletes you are running against, it’s yourself and the time it takes you to complete a race.  Some races are won and others are lost, but ultimately, you can always strive for improvement. Some improvements may be large and others seemingly small, but any improvement will help you get the results you want, which is faster times.  This can translate on the football field as an eluded tackler, or gaining an extra step to get open for a pass reception.

Many high school athletes are multi-sport players, but not too many think about running track in the football off season. It will keep your competitive juices flowing, maintain and increase fitness level and speed. In addition, you will be more prepared for the upcoming season and for more recruiting possibilities for a collegiate career. 

Sponsored Speed Products