Why Jack & Jill Can’t Run Up the Hill: Four Reasons Why Young Athletes Lack Speed

The next time you are at a kids game, practice or just at the park note how many kids can't run. Yes, I said it, can't run.

I'm not talking Olympic sprint technique... just basic coordination.

Notice the herky-jerky, waddling, shuffling, flailing movements.  It doesn't take a trained eye to see something's amiss. What's missing are basic coordination and balance skills. Running is natural, it's just that some of us come pre-wired to do it better than others.

The most basic skill in any field or court sport is running. If your child's abilities are subpar in this most rudimentary athletic skill they will suffer. However, when it comes to speed for sports you're now talking the development of a skill. A skill that can be learned and honed to achieve a competitive standing or even dominance in sport.

Why can't kids run?

Here are my top four reasons why athletes today struggle with running.

1. Decline of recreational play activities. The youth of today spend less time playing fun games. Remember dodge ball, kickball, hop scotch, tag? These games taught balance coordination and laid the foundation for the more complex athletic movements required in athletics.

2.  Early sport specialization. With the rise in competitive youth sports has come a trend toward early specialization. Athletes commit and play one sport only. This stunts athletic growth by restricting their repertoire of athletic movements to just the one they're involved in.

3. Running is not taught. I'm hard pressed to find a field or court sport that doesn't include some form of running. Technique for sprinting or long distance is rarely addressed by coaches. Coaches should teach and foster proper running techniques.

4. Many athletes are negatively introduced to running.  What I mean is that coaches use it as a punishment (run laps) or overdo it (excessive wind sprints). Coaches should acknowledge and share that it is an important aspect of conditioning and athletic development. In turn,  athletes will embrace it and become better at it.

What do you think? Have a kid in this situation? Let's start the discussion?

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