Why Most Young Athletes in New Lenox Aren't Getting Faster (And How to Fix It)

Your athlete trains hard. They go to practice. They run laps. But when game time comes, they're still getting beat to the ball.

If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. It's one of the most common frustrations we hear from parents in New Lenox, Frankfort, and Mokena. Their kids work hard but don't seem to be getting any faster.

Here's the thing: working hard isn't the same as training smart. And when it comes to speed development, most young athletes are making the same critical mistakes.

The Real Reason Most Athletes Aren't Getting Faster

Let me be direct: running more laps doesn't make you faster. Neither does just "practicing your sport."

Speed is a skill. Like any skill, it needs to be developed with specific, intentional training. The problem is that most youth sports programs focus entirely on sport-specific skills and conditioning, but they completely ignore the fundamental athletic qualities that actually make players faster:

• Force production - How much force can you put into the ground?
• Rate of force development - How quickly can you produce that force?
• Sprint mechanics - Are you actually moving efficiently?
• Strength-to-weight ratio - Do you have the strength to move your body explosively?

Without addressing these fundamentals, all the running in the world won't make a significant difference.

What the Data Actually Shows

At REBUILT Performance, we don't guess. We measure everything.

When athletes come to us, we assess their baseline metrics: sprint times, force production, jump height, and more. This gives us objective data to track progress and identify exactly what's holding each athlete back.

The 3 Biggest Mistakes Slowing Your Athlete Down

1. Only Training During the Season

Athletic development doesn't happen in 3-month windows. The athletes who get faster are the ones training year-round with a structured program. When you only train during the season, you're constantly playing catch-up instead of actually improving.

2. Ignoring Strength Training

Here's a fact that surprises many parents: strength training is one of the most effective ways to improve speed in young athletes. You can't produce force you don't have. When athletes build strength through proper resistance training, they can push off the ground harder with each stride.

And no, properly supervised strength training doesn't stunt growth or cause injuries. That's a myth. Research consistently shows that age-appropriate strength training is safe and beneficial for young athletes.

3. Training Without Measurement

If you're not measuring, you're guessing. And guessing leads to wasted time and plateaus.

At REBUILT, we track objective metrics for every athlete. This lets us see exactly what's working and what needs adjustment. It's the difference between training and hoping versus training with purpose.

The REBUILT Approach to Speed Development

Our speed development program addresses all the factors that actually make athletes faster:

1. Assessment - We identify your athlete's specific limiters through objective testing
2. Strength Development - Building the foundation of force production
3. Power Training - Learning to express that strength quickly
4. Sprint Mechanics - Technical coaching on efficient movement
5. Ongoing Tracking - Continuous measurement to ensure progress

This isn't a one-size-fits-all program. Every athlete gets training tailored to their specific needs, sport, and goals.

Why Lincoln-Way Athletes Choose REBUILT

Dr. Kyle Richmond has been training and treating athletes for over 15 years. As a medical professional who works with elite-level athletes, he brings a depth of knowledge that simply isn't available at most training facilities.

Our coaches have played sports at high levels and understand what it takes to compete. But more importantly, they know how to make training effective AND enjoyable. Because if athletes don't want to show up, it doesn't matter how good the program is.

We keep our groups small intentionally. This isn't a "daycare gym" where athletes get lost in the crowd. Every athlete gets monitored, coached, and pushed to improve.

The Bottom Line

If your athlete isn't getting faster despite working hard, the problem isn't effort. It's approach.

Speed development requires intentional, progressive training that addresses strength, power, and mechanics. It requires consistent work over time, not just seasonal training. And it requires measurement to ensure you're actually making progress.

The athletes who get faster are the ones who train smart, not just hard. Contact us to learn more about how we can help your athlete reach their potential.