Early Season Training Essentials

with Vince Anderson,
2025 USTFCCCA George Dales Award;
Texas A&M Sprints & Hurdles Coach - 2004 through 2019;
while there, Aggies won 9 NCAA Outdoor National Championship titles (5x for the Men's team, 4x for the Women's team) & one NCAA Indoor National Championship title (2017 Men's team);
trained Phyllis Francis (2017 400 meter World Champion & World 4x400 Gold Medalist in 2017 & 2019) and also trained Jessica Beard (4x400 double Gold Medalist at the 2019 World Championships - 4x400, mixed 4x400);
University of Tennessee Sprints & Hurdles Coach from 1988 through 2004 (Jumps Coach from 1996 to 2004);
while there, the Vols won the 2001 Men's NCAA Outdoor National Championship title and the 2002 Men's NCAA Indoor National Championship title;
started his coaching career as a volunteer for Tom Tellez at the University of Houston in 1986

You will learn the importance of implementing speed training early, the five most important traits for 400M athletes, and the goals of general preparation in this great video from former Texas A&M and Tennessee assistant coach, Vince Anderson. Throughout the presentation, Anderson discusses the training components that are essential to successful early season development in sprinters, all to help you improve your track & field coaching.

Implementing Speed Training Early

Speed is the most critical skill a sprinter can possess. Coach Anderson begins his presentation outlining the importance of training speed before endurance and its positive effect on sprinter development. In addition to outlining its importance, Anderson discusses the role endurance plays in "sealing speed in place" and its value later on in the season after an athlete has fully developed their speed profile and skill set.

Five Most Important Traits

400 meter runners are first and foremost sprinters. However, many coaches prioritize aerobic capacity early as the key to success. In this segment, Coach Anderson discusses the aerobic demands of the 400 and offers insights as to what skills should be emphasized in place of general endurance. When speaking on specific endurance, Anderson discusses the importance of having athletes run at race pace or faster to build their tolerance most effectively for the demands of the event.

Goals of General Preparation

General preparation is the initial building block of the training year. However, it is not "so general." Coach Anderson describes general preparation as a specific skill installation phase where traits that are important throughout the training year are first introduced. Skills such as proper posture, large ranges of motion, and high power outputs are critical to athletic success during the year. In this segment, Anderson discusses how these skills can be implemented and taught in a safe and effective manner.

This video is packed with important information for any coach looking to create effective training plans for their sprinters. Coach Anderson expertly lays down the foundation for early season development, while touching on the skills that are important throughout the year and the best ways to introduce them on day one.

51 minutes. 2021.