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Sprint training and speed development

Sprinting Smarter, Speed Progression

Sprint training and speed development built around an annual 5-phase progression designed to maximize speed and achieve peak performance at the right time.
sprinting smarter speed progression course poster

What you'll get

included with the course

23 on-demand video lessons

Instant lifetime access. Learn at your own pace on any device. Watch as often as you want, whenever you want.

Training Guide

A detailed breakdown of the training progression with weekly sample workouts for each of the training phases.

certificate of completion

As soon as you finish the course you will receive a customized certificate of completion.

100% Money back guarantee

Complete protection by our no-risk guarantee. See our refund policy for details.
Speed Progression Course Infographic

what you'll learn

TRAINING, DRILLS & LESSONS DESIGNED to maximize performance

Sprinting Training Specific
Warm Up
Speed Development
Acceleration Progression
Block Start Technique
Sprinting Mechanics
Essential Elements of Speed
Bounding Drills
Building A Sprint Training Plan
Plyometrics For Power
Form & Stability Drills
Box Jumps
Max Velocity
Recovery Phase
And More
sprinting drills demonstration on mobile devices

course content

Lesson plan and chapter descriptions

Course Duration: 2 hr, 36 min
Number of Lessons: 23
class sample
In order for a sprinter to maximize their potential, they must push themselves as close to the breaking point as possible. Whether that is training for explosiveness, power or endurance, an athlete must strive for top-end speed without getting injured. But sprint training is about much more than completing drills and honing technique. It takes specific training done with the right timing, intensity and focus to achieve top-end speed. Coach Harnden shares his overarching philosophies for fostering speed progression while reducing the risk of injury through a season.
Planning is everything. Disorganized, random training will undoubtedly lead to random results. Ultimately great coaches and athletes know what they need to do to perform well and they deliberately work towards it. There are well-thought-out reasons behind every rep and each moment of recovery. It is that calculated planning and purposeful work that drives progress. In this chapter, Coach Harnden explains his process for creating his season training blueprint.
Sprinting is not just running fast. Ultimately, it’s about stride length, stride frequency and force production. So how do you learn to sprint and how should you progress through training? In this chapter, Coach Harnden shares the acceleration complex progression he uses, the technical focus of two-point and three-point starts and common errors.
Prior to beginning any training, it’s critical to warm-up your muscles, joints and nervous system to handle the workout ahead. Additionally, attempting to do full sprints without proper progression will lead to injury. Learn Coach Harnden’s approach to the warm-up and speed-work progression through the phases of training.
The block start is the basis for how fast you’ll sprint. It sets-up the rest of the race and is the foundation of building speed through the race. Creating explosive power in the blocks is created through the proper postural angles and triple extension. This chapter outlines how to place the blocks and the form required to attain a solid sprint foundation.
Good sprinters are consistent and that consistency is vital with block starts. In a race, the athlete doesn’t come out of the blocks in a fatigue state so block starts shouldn’t be practiced in a fatigue state. This is why Coach Harnden’s athletes typically only do 5-8 block starts in a training session. However, in order for these block starts to be consistently done well, proper technique is critical. This lesson covers the key technical elements necessary for quality block starts and how to train to achieve them.
In this chapter, Coach Harnden explains how to set-up the blocks correctly for each athlete and the focal points of block-start technique.
An athlete may have been gifted with natural speed, but without working on proper sprint mechanics, they will never reach their full potential. Mastering proper technique is not just necessary to sprint fast but also reduces the risk of injury. In this chapter, Coach Harnden shares the vital technical components of sprinting such as low heal recovery, hip alignment, arm action, ground contact and the common mistakes associated with them.
To be fast, you have to train at a high level of intensity. You have to lift weights. You have to have explosiveness out of the blocks. You have to be able to perform under pressure during a race. However, there is no single training plan that will work for every athlete. Learn how Coach Harnden builds his training plans to get the best from each athlete.
To begin sprint training, you must first build a level of fitness to handle sprint training. In this lesson, learn how Coach Harnden begins the season for new incoming freshmen all the way to seasoned pros.
After building general fitness in phase 1, you are now ready to train specifically for sprinting. In this chapter, you’ll learn how to structure training as you begin to work on speed.
Phase three is a speed cycle and specifically designed to make you faster. This lesson outlines the structure, intensity and volume of the training in phase 3.
All athletes have a life outside of sprinting (or they should have one)! Phase 4 is a maintenance phase built around real life. Learn how Coach Harnden structures training around final exams and holidays to maintain the progress made through the previous phases.
This is the phase where all the work done in the previous phases is tested and realized. In this chapter, you’ll learn how Coach Harnden plans training for peak performance at specific times.
This lesson demonstrates the exercises and focus points of the warm-up Coach Harnden’s athletes do before every workout.
Before you begin working on acceleration in a training session, it’s important to get the body primed for good technique and injury prevention. This lesson includes the pre-acceleration drills Coach Harnden’s athletes do to get ready for speed. It also covers some common errors that can lead to poor form when sprinting.
Hip movement, flexibility and range of motion are all necessary for speed and injury prevention. This lesson demonstrates some critical hurdle drills that are done nearly every day by Coach Harnden’s athletes to train the hip girdle using the same motions done while sprinting.
Getting the most out of your body and being efficient will allow you to create acceleration through your sprint. This comes from triple extension, stride length and stride frequency. In this chapter, you’ll learn some great drills to work on attaining triple extension and building power/explosiveness and through plyometrics.
Prior to starting your track workout, it’s important to warm-up and activate the glutes. These exercises are typically done in the weight/training room before heading to the track. In this lesson, you’ll learn three glute activation exercises that can also help gauge external rotation of the foot, which can indicate that the hips are not square and lead to hamstring injuries.
Building on the warm-up and pre-acceleration work from the previous lesson, Coach Harnden shares some of the most effective drills for training form, posture, hip alignment and stability. Additionally, ankle joint drills that are done during plyometric workouts to build strength and flexibility are demonstrated.
In general, Coach Harnden has athletes do low-level plyometrics during one session (less than 12”) and after a recovery of at least 72 hours, they do higher-level plyometrics. These plyometrics work on the same angles and postures used when sprinting in the blocks and also promote strength and explosive power. In this chapter, these drills are demonstrated and proper progression and energy systems are explained.
There are three “phases” of a single sprint that are commonly discussed in sprinting. These are the acceleration, max velocity and deceleration phase. In this lesson, Coach Harnden shares the small differences in each phase that make significant differences in a race.
In a sport with a 1% differentiation between normality and greatness, recovery is key. Recovery is crucial to the foundation of every training cycle and is purposefully built into every phase. This chapter outlines the focus, timing and structure of recovery work done throughout the entire season.

Bonus Content

Included with the course

training guide

The Speed Progression training guide provides you with a convenient resource that compliments the lessons and essential information taught throughout the course. It’s a great tool to use at the track when you need a quick reference to things like the warm-up sequence, plyometrics, hurdle drills and more.
Sprint speed progression training guide cover
training guide sprint workouts for phase 3
You’ll also get a detailed breakdown of the training phases and principles that make-up the foundation of the course. This includes detailed weekly sample workouts for each of the phases of training and provides valuable specifics such as what speed and sprinting drills to perform on which days as well as the number of sets and reps that are adjustable to skill level and ability.

meet the instructor

learn why this coach is so effective

sprinting coach ken harnden

Ken Harnden

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Olympians
0
National Champions
0
Sub-10 100m sprinters
As a two-time Olympian, NCAA champion and Commonwealth Games bronze medal winner, Ken’s knowledge is rooted in firsthand training, trial and competition. 

Currently serving as the Sprints Coach at Auburn University, the three-time USTFCCCA National Assistant Coach of the Year has guided 14 Olympians, 25 NCAA champions, and more than 160 All-Americans.
Learn more about Coach Harnden

how it works

THE E-LEARNING EXPERIENCE

Every course includes lifetime access to our online learning platform. Check out the short video to see it in action.
Learn more 

dive deeper

learn more about this course

sprinter in the blocks demonstrating the correct sprinting technique

Sprinting Technique

From standing starts all the way down to the nuances of the drive phase.
Coach Harnden covers every essential element of great sprinting technique in a logical and easy to follow progression. Starting with head, arm and torso positions and moving to foot strike and leg action. The acceleration progression guides athletes from rolling and static two-point starts and continues to build to three-point starts and eventually block starts. This sequencing ensures that the athlete is able to hit key positions prior to moving on to more complex movements. It also makes up the foundation that precedes many of the workouts in the training phases.

When it comes to learning sprinting technique, you simply have to see it in action. You’ll see every technical element in clear detail with easy to follow graphics and demonstrations from Olympians Warren Fraser and Cejhae Greene.

Sprinting Drills

Sprinting drills that deliver results.
Every drill included in this course serves a specific purpose and works hand-in-hand with the on-track instruction and training plan. This includes:
Sprinting drills that target key technical aspects of sprinting – including foot strike, leg movement, hip position and core stability.
Pre-acceleration drills that prepare the muscles and nervous system for speed development work.
Plyometrics that develop power and explosiveness while reinforcing proper sprinting technique.
Glute activation drills to maximize muscle recruitment and reduce the chance of injuries.
Sprinting specific hurdle drills that improve mobility and range of motion.
And more...
athlete demonstrating hurdle hop sprinting drills for sprint training
sprinting training plan development phase 1 example

Training Plan Development

Deep insight into developing practice routines and an overall speed development training plan that can be customized for each individual athlete.
Planning is everything. Disorganized, random training will undoubtedly lead to random results. Over his 18 years of training elite athletes, Coach Harnden has learned that identifying a finishing point and working backward to plan the phases of training is the best way to ensure a successful season. This course will walk you through the phases Coach Harnden uses to create his season training blueprint step-by-step. Including:
  • Phase One – Training to Train
  • Phase Two – Begin Sprint Specific Training
  • Phase Three – Speed Training
  • Phase Four – Athlete Specific Training
  • Phase Five – Pre Competition/Competition Training
  • Phase Six – Recovery Phase
Read More
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100% Risk-Free Money Back Guarantee

You are completely protected by our 100% No-Risk Guarantee. If any course doesn’t live up to your expectations we’ll happily refund 100% of your money within 14 days. See our refund policy for details and eligibility.

Sprinting Course Comparison

sprinting drills alpha cover
Sprinting Drills Alpha

Designed For:
Improving speed and sprinting technique through a proven drill progression.
Signature Feature:
The most comprehensive drill collection of any sprinting course.
Skill Level
Ideal for all stages, from beginners learning the basics to advanced coaches and sprinters optimizing their form.
Learn More
sprinting smarter speed progression cover
Sprinting Smarter, 
Speed Progression
Designed For:
Long-term speed enhancement, training plan development, technique and drills.
Signature Feature:
A complete guide to developing and implementing a successful sprinting training plan.
Skill Level
Intermediate to advanced coaches and athletes looking to strategically enhance their speed over a competitive season.
Learn More
sprinter in blocks
Sprinting Smarter, 
Sprinting Faster
Designed For:
Improving sprint performance through expert demonstrations and targeted drills.
Signature Feature:
Sprinting technique rooted in the most current scientific research and drills that reinforce it.
Skill Level
Intermediate to advanced coaches and athletes focused on elite sprint technique and speed drills.
Learn More

Sprinting Courses FAQ

What’s the difference between ‘Sprinting Smarter, Sprinting Faster” and “Sprinting Smarter, Speed Progression?”
Both the "Sprinting Smarter, Sprinting Faster" and "Sprinting Smarter, Speed Progression" courses deliver comprehensive training in sprinting techniques and drills. They cover all aspects of sprinting, from early-season acceleration to block starts and competition preparation.

However they do so with slightly different approaches:

Sprinting Smarter, Sprinting Faster has a significant focus on technique and drills. Coach Wahab is a very technical coach, so he shares a lot of what he's learned through studying the science of sprinting and training elite sprinters.

Sprinting Smarter, Speed Progression is fantastic for developing a personalized sprinting training plan. While there are in-depth technical breakdowns of sprinting technique and drills, training plan development is where this course shines. Coach Harnden shares the training phases he uses for his sprinters, what drills and training are performed each day, and how to build your own program.

Specific benefits to each course:

Sprinting Smarter, Sprinting Faster includes some training plan materials and a stride-length calculator. It also contains some interview sections from the athlete demonstrators (Olympians) that give great insight from an athlete's perspective. Again, this course has a more technical, scientific approach.

Sprinting Speed Progression includes a training plan guide with example training weeks for each training phase. This course has a more practical approach with details on sprint training implementation.

Which course is best:

This isn't easy to answer as it depends on your particular goals and learning style.

If you want to start developing your own personalized training plan, Speed Progression makes the most sense.

If you are more focused on a technical and scientific approach to sprinting, Sprinting Faster is the way to go.

They are both top-rated, and you can't go wrong with either one. They are just different coaches with different backgrounds and sprinting philosophies.

I’m training my young child (8 - 12 years old) which course do you recommend?
Sprinting Drills Alpha, and here’s why:

The cornerstone of mastering proper sprinting technique is consistent practice with targeted drills performed correctly. Engaging in exercises that teach the body the correct form (proper posture, ground contact, etc.) ensures that these mechanics become second nature and carry over to sprinting on the track.

And that is exactly what this course delivers. 

Sprinting Drills Alpha is structured to accommodate the developmental stages of young athletes, introducing them to drills that are both age-appropriate and effective. As young athletes master the basics, the course offers a series of progressively challenging drills that they can grow into.

This adaptive progression is key to fostering not just immediate improvement, but long-term development in young sprinters, making "Sprinting Drills Alpha" an ideal starting point for their athletic journey in sprinting.
Which course is recommended to improve speed and agility for soccer, baseball, football etc.?
Smarter Athletic Speed is the optimal choice for athletes in soccer, baseball, football, and other sports seeking to enhance their speed and agility. It offers comprehensive training strategies tailored to improve athletic performance across various sports by focusing on speed development, multi-directional movement, agility drills, and functional strength. 

This course's holistic approach ensures athletes gain the explosive speed and quick directional changes essential for high-level competition. There is also a substantial focus on health and injury prevention. It’s the go-to option for  athletes of all ages aiming for peak performance.
Which courses work well together, what is the overlap?
While each of our sprinting courses offers a unique curriculum designed to target specific aspects of sprinting performance, "Sprinting Drills Alpha," "Sprinting Smarter, Sprinting Faster," and "Sprinting Smarter, Speed Progression" work exceptionally well together, providing a comprehensive sprinting education.

There is some overlap between "Speed Progression" and "Sprinting Drills Alpha," where a few fundamental drills are shared. 

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