NCAA and Family

Family Update

Nothing really exciting going on in the Taft family this week. Oh yeah, There actually is. One of my Nephews, Jimmer Fredette, is a freshman at BYU and is playing in the first round of the NCAA tournament tonight. Talk about exciting. He has been a valuable part of the BYU basketball team this season. So make sure you check out the game tonight against Texa A&M. Good Luck Jimmer!

Jimmer is an example of an athlete that set his mind on a goal of being the best basketball player he could be. He worked on his game, but just as important he always made time to train with me and work on his athleticism. There is know doubt he had the basketball to play at the Big Division one level, but he needed to bring his athletic skills up to that level. So from an early age Jimmer worked on his strength, speed, and explosiveness to take his game to a new level. That is what can happen when you set a goal and take action on that goal.

Getting Hit From All Sides

I bet sometimes you feel like you are in a washing Machine getting pummeled from all sides by all the promotions and advertisements. The fitness industry is becoming so marketing savvy that you can't open your email box without getting hit with the newest ad for weight loss or supplement products. Not to mention the newest product claiming to get you in shape in 2 1/2 minutes:) At some point you have to become numb to all the promotions and really get down to your core values so you can figure out what is really important to you.

Just over a month ago I launched a membership site called the Speed Insiders. The purpose of this site is so I could be a continuous resource for the people that are interested in real results in training athletes and coaching techniques. This program is there to cut out all the fluff and give you what you need to know. I have done years of work and will continue to so I can pass this information on to you.

When I originally came up with all the bonuses I was excited to get these to you on a monthly basis- but as time has passed I have realized there is so much more that I want to make sure you have access to. I will be doing more than one monthly video, I want to include some bonus CD's, and other great training programs. I am even going to include some bonus business information for those Speed Insider Members wanting to learn more about speed clinics and sports performance facilities. I knew this would happen. I can't just stick to what I originally promised- I feel the need to give more because I will help you and it makes me feel better knowing You are going to get such great information all month long every month.

Don't forget- You get to try the Speed Insiders out for 2 Full Months for FREE! Go to http://www.speedinsiders.com/ now to have the opportunity to get real information that will impact your business, coaching, Physical Education, and lifestyle. You will be glad you did.

Recent Question

I recently had a question from a high school Varsity Volleyball player. She has read some of my information on the "Lateral Gait System." She was inquiring about the fact when she shuffles hard with lot of effort and quickness her feet will sometimes touch under her hips. She said her coaches get on her about this. The fact that she does this has no effect on her quickness or speed at all.

This is an example of what I have always talked about. Coaches assume things are being done wrong because they might assume it must be. Maybe they were taught that way or their coach yelled at them for doing it a certain way. But in reality they don't have any true understanding of how the body moves. I would never coach and athlete to purposely hit their feet together under their hips- but the fact that so many talented athletes do this, including me, shows us all that they body naturally does this. It is the result of both the lead and trail legs finishing their cycle. The 2 feet meet under the hips, sometimes tapping each other and other times not touching, as a result the athlete applying great speed and effort to the ground to move the body. The legs naturally have to finish the "Follow Through."

So what I told this player was; what she was doing is natural and as long as it has no negative impact on her movement she should continue on moving as she does. When a coach teaches an athlete to stop the feet from moving through it's full range of motion they in essence slowing them down.

There will be times when the lateral strides are shorter and the feet do not go through a full cycle. This is usually when the player is in tight quarters and the movements are being done quickly in a direction but higher speeds are not needed. A soccer player fighting for the ball, or a football lineman shuffling in a small space to keep a defender from rushing past. The key is to know the circumstance as to why an athlete would let the feet come together.

To read more on the Lateral Gait System go to www.LeeTaft.com/lateralgait.

Have a great day and we will be talking soon.

yours in Speed,

Lee

PS: If want to get live hands on experience for 3 jam packed days you need to go to http://www.leetaftseminars.com/ and sign up for the Athletic Speed Formula. You will have the opportunity work live with Lee and experience his ground breaking techniques and coaching skills programs. It will be the best program you attend all year!

PSS: Don't forget to take advantage of the Speed Insiders Membership for 2 months absolutely FREE! Go to http://www.speedinsiders.com/ to register now. Plus being an Speed Insiders Member will give you a FREE Training Day with Lee live the day before his Athletic Speed Formula Seminar. You will even get Member discount to attend the Athletic Speed Formula Seminar!!