Our coach recommended speed training for my son who is already extremely fast. He says that he could be crazy fast with some training.

My questions are:

1. Does it really help a 12 year old?

2. Can it put too much stress on a growing body?

3. If its safe, any recommendations in the Phoenix, AZ area?

I would just like some opinions that aren't his coach.

I would think that speed and conditioning development, baring strange weight lifting, would be beneficial to any age.

Agree that speed work is good at any age. While I'm not an expert I go by what I've learned from some high school and college coaches I've talked to as well as what I was taught when I played sports. I have my kids do both wind sprints and agility work (a combination of things to work as many muscles as possible - sideways shuffle, running backwards, high back-kick running, knee high running, etc.

Speed training should be fine for a 12YO. You're not talking weight training.

And the sooner he learns good running mechanics, the better.

I would think it could be very beneficial for him.

It's mostly good but there is a potential for injury. My 13 and 11 yr old sons did Acceleration Training over this past winter. Went great for my 11. But my 13 yr old injured his patellar tendon and still cannot run without significant pain today. He grew a lot last year and so that's probably part of it. But he's missing an entire year of catching, stuck at first base. So if your son develops any pains during the running stop him immediately and have it checked out.

Jon

Thanks for the info. I will see if I can find a speed trainer who knows what he is doing and doesn't involve weight training(and is cheap).

My son is 14 now and fighting Osgood Schlatters in both knees, not good for a catcher. One of the high school coaches is a friend and has been working on his speed through different drills when his knees allow. He is not the fastest guy on his team but for the past two seasons he has led the league in stolen bases. So I agree that speed training is great as long as you get a good trainer and stay away from the weight programs. Check with your local high school coaches they may know some good trainers in the area.

when i started to need speed training i ran cross country and i went from slowest to one of the fastest so if your son is already really fast he could become
a real help in his game

also when i started a real speed camp i began to worry
about mechanics and became slower so if he gets slower stop him andjust let him relax when he runs