Why Is My Child So Slow? And Why Has Nobody Taught Them How to Run?
Your kid can kick a soccer ball, throw a football, catch a baseball, and dribble a basketball. But can your kid actually RUN?
I mean, really run?
Ever watch your child get beaten to the soccer ball? Get thrown out at first base? Chase someone down the football field and never catch them?
And you're standing there thinking:
“Why is my kid so dang slow?”
Is it genetics? Maybe partly. Genetics matter. But here's a question nobody seems to ask:
Has anybody ever actually TAUGHT your child HOW to run?
We Teach Kids Everything. Except How to Run!
Think about it.
We teach children how to eat with a fork. How to tie their shoes. How to open a car door. How to drink from a glass.
We teach them how to throw, catch, kick, and shoot.
But when it comes to running?
“Run faster!”
“Pick up your knees!”
“Get on your toes!”
“Swing your arms!”
What the heck does any of that mean to a 12-year-old?
Swing my arms WHERE? Over my head?
How high should my knees go? Two inches? Six inches? All the way to my chest?
And what does “run on your toes” even mean?
That's not teaching. That's shouting instructions without explaining them.
Your Sport Is Technical. Why Isn't Your Running?
Think about soccer.
A coach doesn't just yell, “KICK THE BALL!”
They teach where to plant your foot. How to strike the ball with your laces. How to curve it left or right. How to control the direction.
Every little movement matters.
But here's the crazy part.
What good is knowing how to kick a soccer ball if you're always too slow to GET TO THE BALL?
You can have the greatest kicking technique in the world. If the other kid gets there first, you're not kicking anything!
Running is technical, too. Of course it is! It's just a human skill. And skills can be taught.
And just like kicking a ball, putting your body in the wrong position at the wrong time changes the result.
Speed Isn't Just About Working Harder!
Here's what I teach my athletes:
RUN FASTER WITH LESS EFFORT.
That means learning HOW, HOW, HOW to move your body efficiently.
Your arms need to move in the right direction, at the right time, synchronized with the legs.
Your knees need to lift to specific heights for specific movements. Not just some vague instruction to do “high knees.”
And your feet?
Let's talk about FOOT STRIKE SPEED.
The bottom of your foot has four basic areas: heel, arch, ball, and toes.
For the sprinting mechanics I teach, we emphasize quick contacts on the ball of the foot, not balancing on the tips of your toes.
And we teach athletes to strike the ground close to directly underneath their body—not reach way out in front.
Where your foot lands matters. How quickly it strikes and leaves the ground matters. And WHEN, WHEN, WHEN everything happens matters!
That's movement efficiency.
Not endless laps. Not simply getting stronger. Not running until you're exhausted.
But How Do You Know What Your Child Is Doing Wrong?
Think about teaching your child to ride a bike.
How could you correct their balance if you never watched them ride?
You couldn't!
Running is no different.
You need to SEE what their arms, knees, feet, and body are actually doing.
That's why I offer personalized running video analysis.
Send me a video of your athlete running, and I'll examine their mechanics, identify areas for improvement, and explain what they can work on.
Personalized Speed Video Analysis — $149
Your child might not need another conditioning workout.
They might simply need somebody to teach them HOW TO RUN.
Coach Ken Taylor — The Speed DR
Former NFL Athlete | Super Bowl XX Champion | B.S. Sport & Exercise Science | 30+ Years Developing Faster Athletes
RUN FASTER WITH LESS EFFORT.
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