“Sprinting ‘like a jet plane taking off’ will assist in cultivating future Premier League star strikers, as per recent research findings. Conducted at the University of Essex, the study centered on Tottenham Hotspur’s academy, showcasing that mere verbal cues can swiftly enhance sprinting speed by 3 percent over 20 meters.
Typically, achieving such a significant increase would necessitate weeks of targeted training. These rapid bursts of acceleration are often observed in goal-scoring scenarios and could determine the distinction between outmaneuvering a defender and scoring.
Dr. Jason Moran, affiliated with the School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences, uncovered that simple analogies contribute to heightened performance in this crucial domain. The study illustrated that elite young players exhibit swifter speeds when their attention is directed towards their surroundings rather than their bodily actions.
Dr. Moran articulated, ‘The words we convey to athletes exert a tangible and immediate impact on their performance. It has long been established that guiding an athlete’s attention towards their environment yields superior results compared to emphasizing body positions, which tends to disrupt the fluidity of movement. This effect can be further amplified by employing specific analogies; for instance, instructing a player to ‘accelerate like a Ferrari’ may conjure a more vivid imagery in their mind as opposed to simply instructing them to run fast.'”
Research Findings and Methodology
The investigation enlisted 20 members of the North London side’s academy, aged between 14-15 years. Prior to engaging in sprint drills, these promising players received varied directives.
Analogies emphasizing external factors, such as ‘push the ground away,’ proved more effective than instructions focusing on internal actions like ‘driving their legs into the ground.’
Furthermore, peak performances were elicited by encouraging players to envision themselves ‘sprinting as if they are a jet taking off into the sky ahead.’
In coaching contexts, analogies facilitate the comprehension of complex instructions by encapsulating them within simple verbal cues. For instance, coaches can convey the desired speed and body positioning without resorting to intricate technical jargon.
This approach is believed to be particularly advantageous for young learners, who may exhibit relatively lower levels of concentration. Beyond elite sports, these cues and coaching strategies hold potential for application in physical education classes and grassroots initiatives.
Dr. Moran emphasized, “While these findings are centered on the apex of youth football, they can readily be adapted for use in schools or recreational settings. By employing straightforward analogies, educators and parents might unlock the full potential of their children across various sports.”
