Project Footballer Ep.27 - Is your child’s speed predetermined by genetics?

Is your child's speed predetermined by genetics? Jonas Dodoo, one of the world's top speed and directional movement analysts speaks to us about this topic.
He's worked with some of the fastest Olympic athletes, as well as with 5 Premier League clubs at both academy and professional level. He provides an incredible insight into how you can make your child faster, and whether there's a formula to creating a child with speed.

[@j.j.911]

Frankly, this is one of the best technical and insight based sporting interviews out there. Brilliant guest.

[@badeyes1981]

Your best episode yet

[@nofurtherwest3474]

My son is 9. I wish we had time to hire a running coach. But we're in America and so in addition to soccer he does baseball (because his mom likes baseball and as they say I have to pick my battles). But one good thing about baseball is that they do sprint. They sprint from base to base, and sometimes over all 4 bases. So I'm hoping he can take something from that that will help in soccer. His favorite sport is soccer though :) I might have him do some AGT stuff (knees over toes guy) which strengthens the tibialis for injury prevention. Soccer itself takes so much time.

[@dennisrobinson8008]

BEST thing you can do for speed is put them in a local track club. Get them in young and get them in there for several years. The track club will have accredited coaches with excellent results. There will be other athletes and sprinters who have went thru this club with great success. Running bases won't teach speed or mechanics or how to manage yourself, but it will be better than laying on a couch.

[@nofurtherwest3474]

@@dennisrobinson8008 I have thought about that. I don't know anything about the track world though. Do the clubs practice year round? How many days per week? How much does it cost? Should we do a club or just a personal track coach? Thanks for the reply

[@dennisrobinson8008]

You'd have to check locally, i would google it. And then look for some local collegiates and pros that have been thru that club.@@nofurtherwest3474

[@kanehardy6088]

I’ve Been waiting for this top stuff guys 👍👍

[@kwamethetrainer7246]

So many gems in this episode

[@neildean7515]

This is a fascinating and the depth of Knowledge in this area/interview by Jona is incredible. As a Coach i always thought developing the Physical athlete was important along with tech, tactical in balance. The basic body movements are critical and its becoming more important as schools are not teaching the basics of fundamental motor skills such as Running, Jumping, Throwing, Catching , turning and kicking regarding speed and development of ones body.. It so important to understand these basics as a Coach, esp in younger children, which if given a varied & balanced diet will carry these good habits for life. Thanks for the great interview

[@kwamethetrainer7246]

Love this episode and really amazing points made here but not sure i agree that acceleration is the most important thing in football; I think of players like Xavi, Pirlo, Busquets and im sure im missing a few more , even players like Zidane; their football intelligence , spacial awareness, positioning were probably the most important factors in thier game , Zidane might be an exception because he was deceptively athletic but i think its more dependent on what position they play and the type of player they are in that position. Wingers may find acceleration is the most important for them but then you might have a centre mid whose positioning is the most important, but overall i understand the clear advantages of having great acceleration and deceleration just not in agreement its the main component

[@rengoku7255]

Agreed

[@kwamethetrainer7246]

@seanconlon7015 Erm ok maybe i did misunderstand lol but the question you asked was “is acceleration the most important component for a footballer?” So i guess it was my interpretation of the question, if you’re saying the context was already implied in the convo; otherwise it sounded more general than contextual, if the question was “is acceleration the most important component for footballers specifically in relation to running “ then of course i would’ve responded differently but granted the overall topic is related to running so I’ll concede on that front lol. Honestly I learnt loads from this episode , keep up the good work , fantastic podcast 👏🏾 👏🏾

[@neildean7515]

Interesting and fascinating debate. May i add having seen most of these players you mention play Live, its clear after many years of playing experience, the speed of these players is the intellectual speed and decision making which often looked like me, their speed of mind gave them the advantage, not just the physical skill..its like they knew mentally what they were going to do before they exicuted the physical movement, often using ball and body deception

[@nofurtherwest3474]

I think there are many things that are all important in football. And if you are really good at one then sure it can compensate for not being great in another area. But for sure, speed can be a good weapon. Like when Barca plays a high line against Real Madrid. The just lob the ball over Barca and Real Madrid outruns them and scores. We just saw it. Probably best to have a variety of player types even in attack. For ex, Tottenham had Heung Min Son and Kane. Son is very fast, and Kane would release him well. Kane is better though in so many other ways, but he's not the fastest. Now he works well with fast players like Sane and Davies at Bayern.

[@kirbymegorden8820]

just math "" 17:49, 1:30:00 development games and CLA, 23:00 the power of 10 youth Olympic kids

[@deront2083]

Yes you can make some one faster,but you can only get them to their genetic ceiling.

[@OgoEzeagu]

First

[@mendofitness6098]

Brilliant episode as always. I can see dudes going on dating sites with specific requirements from their perspective partners like good genetics, track background and long calves 🦵😂

[@mendofitness6098]

😂😂 Olympic Games next year Sean. Fill your boots lad

[@dennisrobinson8008]

It doesn't matter. Many body types have been successful in track and field. Many heights, many limb lengths, many trunk lengths, many lower and upper leg lengs, many techniques, many ways of developing the power. Like coach said the most important thing is get them in their early. Get them in a track club before 10 if possible and if not as soon as you know you are interested in being as fast as possible.

[@dennisrobinson8008]

However if you like a fit babe, and that's what turns you on then go for it. I feel i "like" a lady with a 400/800 mindset more because of the work ethic required, the sacrifice and the suffering. The lack of immediate gratification, the long term planning, etc.