How can I improve my 40 yard dash time?

Question

I currently run a 5.49 and I am 16 years old.

Answer 1

Run faster. That usually helps.
Good luck.

Answer 2

Well, Me being a football player, I have found that With my pads on, I felt as if I was being weighted down but once I took off my pads I felt so light on my feet it was unbelievable, so ever since if I feel like working on my speed I jog, and every now and again I break into a full sprint and then slow back down. Also I suggest if you are willing to jog, throw a book bag on ur back, and toss a weight plate in there. I jog usually with 20 lbs.-40 lbs on my back. do not do it during a really long jog though, or do not do it EVERYDAY because I doubt its the BEST thing for your back lol. So I would say do it maybe 3-4 times a week for either a short jog at a tiny bit faster pace then usual, or do a few sets of sprints with it. also, if your going to do it 3-4 days I would say do it every other day when you start off until you get use to it and start off light. I would say 10-15 pounds give or take.

Answer 3

Alright man here is what you have to do .\

1) hit the weight room work on squats and power cleans. also jump as high as you can with weights on your legs that will work out your tigh muscles.

2) work different parts of the 40 yard dash like first push as hard as you can the first 10 or 15 yards then stop and then in your stance take off at about 3/4 speed then about 20 yards run as hard as you can for another 10 to 15 yards. do that till you get to the 40 yards. do those about 5 times each portion of the 40 yards.

3) drink alot of water and juice anything that has vitamins in itYou can also try the V-8 splash to get you all those vitamins in your body.

4) work on footwork jumping min hurdles running trough work out ladders just working on your footwork.

5)just let it all out on the field.

Answer 4

There are a couple of very good ways to improve it. Improve your lower body strength-mainly your hip flexors(the muscle that goes from your Quad to your hip bone) Quadriceps, and Hamstrings. Calf or gastrocnemius muscles are important. Squats will be helpful as well as leg curls-work both quads and hams. The abs are what seperates the fast from slow-work them very hard. Of course your legs can only go as fast as your arms so improve your shoulder swing and practice pumping your arms with 1lb weights. Start with light weights then progress. Consult a PE teacher or Coach before starting any program. Also Plyometrics build explosive starts (Don Beebe's House of Speed DVD helps a ton-dude ran a 4.2 40.) and explosive strength. Don't forget conditioning.

Answer 5

There are many ways to run faster:
1. Run downhill
2. Convince yourself you are being chased by a demon from Hell and if you are caught you will be devoured
3. Convince yourself that someone you find attractive is waiting for you at the finish line but will leave in five seconds.

If none of those work there is always training on both leg strength and your start out of the blocks.

Answer 6

1. run with weights on your legs because it will not only strengthen your legs but you will feel lighter when you run without the weights and it might increase your speed.

2.practice your start and anticipate the start

3.eat plenty of protein and skip the unnecessary fat because muscles are lighter than fat in its distribution and with better muscle tone this could increase your speed because your legs are lighter and stronger.

4. practice practice practice -the only way you get faster is that you work at it.

Answer 7

solid warm up...you should be sweating a little while youre about to start. PLYOMETRICSSS (high knees, sprints, skipping, 123's,..)

increasing your flexibility will also help

Answer 8

run with a weight as hard as you can

Answer 9

cheat and run only 38 yards. ;-}

Answer 10

http://www.hoopskills.com/jumping/strengthshoes.html

Check these out, they will help your speed as well as jumping ability.