More Soccer Speed Examples

Below are two videos from a Nike promotion called "Who is the fastest?" (see www.whoisthefastest.com) ... Note how these soccer athletes use arms for balance and how they lower their centre of gravity as they change direction.

Below is a video of members of the USA Women's National Team (USWNT) doing an agility test.
Please note how they shorten their steps and lower their centre of gravity as they change direction:

Below is a speed test used by Cristiano Ronaldo in a Nike commercial ...

Here is what you can learn by watching this video:
- frequency of steps
- closeness of ball to his feet at all times
- how stable his core is

Arm Action in Soccer Players

The use of the arms while running is important for playing soccer.

Arms are used to when accelerating, when balancing as movements with the ball are made, and, most importantly, when changing direction.

Observe the video below to see how Lionel Messi uses his arms as he accelerates forward, as he shifts the ball side to side, and as he changes direction. Not surprisingly, he uses his arms much better than most soccer players. PLEASE focus on his use of arms, as it is very easy to end up watching the ball when he plays. Note that some of the video is in "slow motion" for you to observe carefully as he is very fast in his motions.