agility

Agility is the sequencing together of acceleration, deceleration, stabilization and re-acceleration. Light, quick-moving, nimble steps. Coaches here look at agility training two different ways: as technical work, including footwork that emphasizes the deceleration/stabilization phase, and as conditioning, which is an effective tool to combat the fatigue which tends to zap necessary stopping strength. While the latter is important, mastering the deceleration/stabilization phase separates good athletes from great ones. (It is also the point where most injuries occur.) If sports are viewed as a series of stops and starts all linked together, then the athlete who stops first also starts first, thereby creating space between themselves and the rest of the pack. In addition to the footwork exercises, balance work and plyometric drills also have value in increasing one's agility. Incorporated into an athlete's strength and conditioning program, they round out effective agility training and help create the distance that our athletes seek to put between themselves and opponents on the playing field. Some aspect of speed is important in almost all sports.