can youth sprint train?
The question isn’t really should youth sprint train - because they definitely should - it’s more how much, and what should it look like?
Kids sprint. Whether in organized sports or chasing their mates around the backyard, they sprint. So the act of sprinting is not inherently dangerous nor is it counter-productive to their development. Anyone who says otherwise is a little naive.
Now, in saying that, specific technical sprint training is very much age dependent. Kids under 12-13 years of age do not need technical sprint training. Nor is it very effective. Try discussing foot position or force application to an 8 year old and see how it goes. Even if they manage to understand, they’ll be bored to tears. These young athletes need exposure to a variety of movements, in a variety of situations so they can problem solve themselves. They need it to be fun and rich in learning.
Now, as coaches or parents we can certainly manipulate the situation to work on certain kinesthetics, but this will be without ‘coaching’ and usually within a game. Give them parameters to work within but then step back and let them go! Let them ‘play’. You’ll be amazed at how effective this is and how much fun the kids will have.
Exposure to this type of training at an early age will help set them up for success as they get older. Studies have shown that early nervous system development through speed games will lead to faster athletes.
With athletes aged 13-15 years we can begin to make some corrections in sprint technique - in a more formal setting - but again, pick your corrections carefully and consider whether you can manipulate the drill to get a positive effect without droning on or barking orders. Let them run - fast. Make it competitive. It’s amazing how much more effective trainings are when the kids are smiling.