Speed | Explosive | Strong

[Speed | Explosive | Strong | In That Order](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2h2gPn-RKI)

The coaching philosophy known as "Feed the Cats," emphasizing speed, efficiency, and prioritization over traditional conditioning methods in sports training. Here are the key points:

### Core Philosophy:
1. **Prioritize Speed:** 
   - Speed should be the primary focus in training, not conditioning or endurance.
   - Prioritization does not mean majority; short, focused speed sessions can yield significant results.
   
2. **Sprint Before Lifting:** 
   - Sprinting should be the priority in workouts, as it builds explosive power and athleticism.

3. **Train for Speed and Power:** 
   - Emphasize explosive movements, speed, and power over endurance and excessive conditioning.
   - Avoid overtraining or "draining" athletes, as fatigue diminishes performance.

4. **Minimalist Approach:**
   - Short, high-quality sessions are preferred over long, grueling practices.
   - Rest and recovery are crucial to maintain peak performance and avoid injuries.

### Practical Application:
1. **Sprint Training Guidelines:**
   - Sprint as fast as possible, as often as possible, while staying fresh.
   - Use timing to track performance and motivate athletes.
   - Limit sprint sessions to 2–3 times per week with adequate recovery.

2. **Avoid Overconditioning:**
   - Excessive conditioning (e.g., repeat sprints, long runs) can reduce speed and explosiveness.
   - Instead, focus on speed development, which indirectly improves game endurance.

3. **Game Simulation:**
   - Let the game itself be hard rather than overloading athletes with conditioning drills.
   - Athletes who are faster perform better even when tired.

4. **Cross-Sport Insights:**
   - Speed training benefits all sports, from football and lacrosse to soccer and even golf.
   - Developing general athleticism (sprinting, jumping, lifting) improves performance in specific skills.

### Supporting Arguments:
1. **Speed as the Foundation:**
   - Speed is neurological and impacts all aspects of athletic performance.
   - Faster athletes are more efficient and less fatigued during games.

2. **Efficiency over Volume:**
   - Quality (speed and power) trumps quantity (endurance and conditioning).
   - Faster players can sustain game speeds more effectively than slower, over-conditioned players.

3. **Real-Life Examples:**
   - Success stories from various sports illustrate how prioritizing speed over conditioning leads to better performance.
   - Athletes trained for speed outperform peers in repeat efforts and overall explosiveness.

### Takeaways:
- Shift focus from traditional conditioning to speed and power training.
- Train athletes to be explosive, fresh, and efficient rather than overworked and fatigued.
- Embrace a minimalist approach: prioritize high-quality, targeted efforts for maximum impact.