Bounding can be a great addition to your high intensity workouts - and it's essential to getting faster.

I remember the first time that I ever bounded for speed. I was a wee sophomore in high school when a graduate from our school - who was playing college football - came back to work out at one of our track practices.

Joe - his real name - came back with some great new drills - including bounding down the football field.

What is bounding? Think of it as exaggerated running. When you bound, you push off hard and fast from the ground with each step. Think of leaping like a gazelle or an antelope. You want to try to float in the air as long as you can before the next foot contact. Then, actively drive your foot into the ground to power your next glide. You want your feet on the ground for as little time as possible. Drive with your arms for full power. This is excellent for explosiveness and to increase your stride length - both key factors in running fast.

You should include different types of bounding for greatest results in your speed training. Try these variations to crank up your speed workouts:

Regular bounding - drive your knees up to 90 degrees and your elbows back
Straight leg bounding
Single leg bounding - remember to do both right and left footed
Single leg pattern bounding - Right Right Left Left Right Right Left Left Right...
Combination bounding - straight leg bound for 20 meters then regular bounding for 20 meters
Bound/Run - bound for 20 meters then sprint for 20 meters
Double leg bounding - moving forward
Double leg bounding - moving backward
Power skips - drive your knee up to 90 degrees to try for maximum height.
Bound up stairs or bleachers

Bounding should be done for done for 10 to 40 meters or a certain number of foot contacts. Start slowly and build up to the longer distances and number of contacts. Be sure to rest and recover fully between reps. This is not endurance work. Keep your workouts short and intense. Your goal should be to include between 4 and 8 sets in your speed workouts.

Bounding is highly intense exercise. Make sure that you are on a good, forgiving surface and that you don't bound too often, 2 - 3 times per week is plenty. Also, do not bound on consecutive days, your nervous system will be fried from bounding and will take time to recover, probably even more time than the muscles themselves.

Add bounding to your speed workouts. The explosiveness that you develop will go far in improving your performance - no matter what your sport. Which part of your “game” can use a bit more power and speed? Copyright, Tim Kauppinen, 2005

This article is protected by copyright, 2005, Tim Kauppinen. All rights reserved.
Tim Alan Kauppinen, or Coach K, has over 20 years experience as an athlete and coach. He has worked with athletes of all ages and abiltities in track and field, football, speed training and strength and conditioning. This has given him the privilege and the opportunity to coach athletes who have become conference champions, state champions and Division I college players. Coach K publishes a free daily fitness email with current tips on getting stronger, faster and in the best shape of your life. To sign up for this no cost service, visit Coach K's website at http://www.makesyoufast.com/contact.html.