Want to become the fastest player on the field? Build instant speed with two simple drills to improve speed: Hill Sprints and Prowler Sprints.
Many athletes trying to increase speed get caught up in performing set after set of Skips and Agility Ladder drills. Although they are great for warming up and improving agility and footwork, they won’t do much for increasing actual speed.
One of the fastest ways to build real speed is improving lower-body power. The more power you put into the ground, the more ground you will cover with each stride and the faster you’ll run. Lower-body power improves everything from acceleration to top-end speed.
Build lower-body power by performing Hill Sprints and Prowler Sprints at the beginning of your speed workout, once or twice per week.

Drills to Improve Speed

Hill Sprints

Hill Sprints are among my favorite drills to improve speed because all they require is a hill and a pair of cleats. Hill Sprints are great for strengthening the muscles involved in acceleration since they require you to constantly push yourself uphill, forcing you to produce an aggressive knee lift and powerful arm action. The incline of the hill also helps you reduce the risk of hamstring injury since it prevents top speeds.

• Assume starting stance at bottom of hill
• Sprint uphill for 20 to 30 yards
• Slowly walk down hill to starting position
• Repeat for specified reps

Sets/Reps: 3×6 with one-minute rest between sprints and five-minute rest between sets
Challenge yourself with several Hill Sprint variations.

Prowler Sprints

While Prowler Sprints are famous for conditioning, they’re also among the best drills for increasing speed. Since the Prowler prevents you from producing an arm drive, this drill is all about building lower-body power. Prowler Sprints also allow you to change the target of the exercise by adjusting your hand position. Hold the high poles to focus on the hamstrings and glutes (top speed) or low handles to target the quads (acceleration).

• Assume starting stance and place hands on Prowler poles
• Sprint and push Prowler for 10 yards
• Rest for specified time and change hand position to low handles
• Sprint and push Prowler for 10 yards
• Repeat pattern for specified reps

Sets/Reps: 3-5×5 each position with 30-seconds rest between reps and five-minute rest between sets
You can also build the lower-body power you need for speed in the weight room. Check out two speed workouts you can perform in the gym.