Master the in-place hip turn, a foundational change of direction drill that teaches athletes to dissociate the hips from the upper body for faster, more balanced lateral movement. This no-equipment agility exercise builds the athletic stance, hip control, and lateral push mechanics essential for defense and reactive change of direction. Learn the setup, technique, common mistakes, and programming from THIRST Gym’s Brandon Smitley.
The half kneeling lateral start to sprint is a powerful change of direction drill that develops explosive lateral power production and teaches athletes how to re-accelerate out of a cut. Ideal for soccer, basketball, tennis, and football athletes, this sprint variation builds the lateral propulsion and acceleration mechanics that separate elite competitors from the rest. Learn the proper setup, coaching cues, and programming guidelines from THIRST Gym owner Brandon Smitley.
Discover the five most effective sprint drills that have consistently improved speed and dropped times for athletes aged 10-18 and beyond. This comprehensive guide breaks down exactly how to perform each drill, why they work, and how to implement them into your training program for maximum acceleration, perfect mechanics, and explosive sprint performance. Learn the science-backed techniques we’ve used with hundreds of athletes to develop game-changing speed that transfers directly to athletic success.