Tanner Speed Academy

At top speed, Kylian Mbappé can take around 5 steps per second, with each stride covering nearly 2 meters. That combination of stride length + step frequency is what makes him one of the fastest footballers on the planet.

The good news? While genetics play a role, your neuromuscular system can be trained to improve foot speed and sprint frequency.

And he's proving it again on the biggest stage. 🇫🇷 Mbappé scored yesterday as France beat Morocco 2-0 to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-finals, taking his tournament tally to 8 goals.

For many of you, preseason has already started or is just about to begin. What we always tell our players is simple:

Your biggest advantage as a young player is your speed.
You might not pass better than older players.
You might not read the game better yet.

But you can run and react faster.

That’s why we focus on developing speed in all areas of football and take it to the highest level possible.

Have a strong preseason!

In today's video, we're taking you behind the scenes to show you the complete speed testing battery we use to evaluate football players at academy and professional level.

You'll learn how we measure the key physical qualities that matter most on the pitch, including:

- 10m acceleration
- Maximum sprint speed
- Change of direction and agility
- Deceleration ability
- Speed endurance

We also explain why consistent testing throughout the season is essential, how the data helps us individualize training for every player, and why measuring performance is the key to improving it.

Whether you're a coach looking to build a professional testing protocol or a player wanting to benchmark your own performance, this video gives you a practical framework that you can apply with your own team.

Football is a game full of quick changes in direction, so being able to move your feet fast is essential. The quicker your step frequency, the faster you can move on the pitch.

That’s why we focus on developing maximum movement speed—your frequency.

These two agility ladder drills will help you improve the frequency.

In the first drill, we have a contact with both feet in each box, move two boxes forward, then one box back—keeping your contacts quick and light.

In the second drill, contact with both feet into the box, then one foot outside, back in with both feet, then outside on the other side, and continue forward box by box.
Try to keep your upper body in a straight in a vertical position and use your arms to support the movement of the legs.



All of this improves your neuromuscular coordination, helping you move faster and react quicker.

The warm-up is one of the most valuable parts of football training when used with intention.

At Tanner Speed Academy, we see it as more than preparation. A well-structured warm-up can actively improve your performance as a player while also getting you or your players ready for training and the match.

The key is transfer. Each exercise should reflect the demands of the game—accelerations, changes of direction, and decision-making. When that connection is clear, the warm-up becomes a natural extension of training.

An effective warm-up helps to develop better movement patterns, sharper reactions, and greater efficiency over time.
Follow a clear progression: start at low intensity, build toward game speed, and include elements that engage both body and mind. Adding reactive and cognitive components helps players feel focused and ready from the first action.

Approached this way, the warm-up becomes a simple but powerful tool to prepare, improve, and perform.

The warm-up is one of the most valuable parts of football training when used with intention.

At Tanner Speed Academy, we see it as more than preparation. A well-structured warm-up can actively improve your performance as a player while also getting you or your players ready for training and the match.

The key is transfer. Each exercise should reflect the demands of the game—accelerations, changes of direction, and decision-making. When that connection is clear, the warm-up becomes a natural extension of training.

An effective warm-up helps to develop better movement patterns, sharper reactions, and greater efficiency over time.

Follow a clear progression: start at low intensity, build toward game speed, and include elements that engage both body and mind. Adding reactive and cognitive components helps players feel focused and ready from the first action.

Approached this way, the warm-up becomes a simple but powerful tool to prepare, improve, and perform.

Want to run faster on the pitch? It comes down to three key fundamentals.

First, your step frequency — quick, light steps are essential for explosive acceleration.

Second, your push-off — the stronger your feet, the more power you can generate with every stride.

And third, your body position — stay tall, stable, and controlled to transfer maximum force forward.

Master these three elements and you will instantly improve your speed and performance in football.

Sometimes the simplest tools can have a big impact on your training.

One thing we use regularly is something as basic as numbered cards to improve players’ reaction time.

Reaction time is crucial in football. It allows players to respond quickly in fast-paced situations—intercepting passes, beating defenders, or reacting to scoring opportunities.

The setup is simple: each number represents a specific action. For example, a blue card with the number five could mean sprint forward, while an orange five might mean sprint backward.

Now here’s where it gets interesting—we suddenly switch the meaning of the cards.

This forces players to constantly adapt, process new information, and react under pressure.

That unpredictability trains both the brain and the body to respond faster and make better decisions in real game situations.