How to Make My 40-Yard Sprint Time Faster

Increasing your speed in a 40-yard sprint is absolutely necessary for football players but can help athletes of all sports. It's true that some people are naturally faster than others, but you're not stuck with your natural speed. With training and implementing certain techniques, you can become noticeably faster in a 40-yard sprint. Changes don't occur overnight, but it is inevitable that your speed will change for the better when following better habits and strategies in the 40-yard sprint.

Things You'll Need

  • Running shoes
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Instructions

    • 1

      Stretch for 10 minutes a day. Stretching your muscles alleviates tightness, which protects against pulled muscles. It also lengthens your stride.

    • 2

      Determine your quick leg and power leg. Fold your arms in front of you. Whichever arm is tucked under your armpit is your quick arm, and the opposite is true for your legs. If your quick arm is your right arm, your quick leg is your left leg. Always position your strong leg to be your front leg when leading off for the 40-yard sprint.

    • 3

      Be conscious of your shoulder and knee position. Ensure that your thumbs are under your shoulders, your shoulders are above your knees and your quick side knee is touching the ground.

    • 4

      Start off with good leg position. Keep your front knee at a 90- to 110-degree angle, while keeping your rear leg angle 120 to 135 degrees. This allows a greater stretch in the hamstrings and better velocity when coming off the starting line.

    • 5

      Keep your head straight. Looking up and down with your head leads to a higher chance of breaking your stance.