How important is speed-training?

When it comes to improving your baseball skills, there are a number of things you could work on to increase your chances of getting recruited. Here are 5 reasons why working on your speed is more important than you might think.

1. Speed makes you a double threat. Speed is the only tool that is used on both offense and defense. This means that if you are fast, you are valuable on the field as well as the base path. It's no surprise the great scout and baseball executive, Branch Rickey, considered it the most important tool.

2. Speed creates pressure. We've all experienced it before. It seems like every team has a speedster. When this guy is on base, everyone is nervous. The pitcher picks more often than usual. The infielders know they have to hurry on a groundball. Many times, being fast can make the other team make crucial mistakes.

3. Powerful lower half. Training for speed involves making your legs strong and powerful. Not only does this make you faster, but it can also translate into your drive when hitting and throwing. By focusing on speed training, you might experience other parts of your game become elevated.

4. Speed stands out. Whether your playing in a tournament or trying out at a showcase, there is always ample opportunity to show how fast you are. You don't have to get a great hit to sprint to first base at 100% speed. This stuff gets noticed. Many showcases measure 60 yard dashes first before moving on to other things. Being fast guarantees a good first impression on college coaches.

5. Translates to other sports. If you are a multisport athlete, then working on your speed is a fast way to hit multiple sports in a single training session. It won't really help your soccer game if you spend all of your training hours on throwing stuff.

Being fast is arguably the most important skill you can practice. By learning proper technique and training methods, anyone can become faster than they already are, increasing their chances of being recruited to the next level. At Beeps Baseball, we are the bridge between high school and college baseball. Check out our website for more info beepsbaseball.com.