Complete Speed Training Volume 2 Success Stories

Hi Latif,
As a long time customer of yours, I  thought you might be interested so I’m forwarding this to you.  My daughter’s (second from the left) 4×100 relay team after winning The Bellport Invitational on Saturday 4/9/11. 50.1 seconds., fastest on Long Island !!!!

Thanks,
John Mainente

Latif,

Thanks again for your program “How To Build Champion Sprinters”.  I’m one of those back-in-the-day sprinters from the New York area returning to the sport to assist my daughter’s middle school track team in Conyers, GA.  I ran the 60 to 300 in high school and 200, 400 and sprint relays at Auburn Univ (77-81). I wish I had access to this type of info back then.  In any event, I just wanted to reach out and say “thank you” for completing this body of work.  The girls are benefiting from your program and I’m having a great time sharing the sport with them.  Definitely feels like a second win (wind).

Keep it positive!

Steve Strother

Latif,

I know you are busy not only coaching your own teams but managing all of us coaches Nationwide. Just to remind you, much of the training Grayson has received over the past two years comes from you my friend!!  I have bought every speed training program you’ve ever written! Our teams times are continuing to drop and our mostly sophomore team is beginning to dominate the older competition!  Thanks for all your help

Have a great day,

Coach Brad McManus

Latif:

For many years, and coaching classes, I have struggled to find the basic information of the substance and specifics of how to train athletes to become stronger and faster.  I have, like many others, learned tips and tricks along the way from other coaches and athletes.  Complete speed training provides me with a comprehensive guide to aid in my implementation of my sprints program as well as my general strength program for all my athletes.

In a short time I have seen strength improvements which have translated into better performance of my athletes, and even 2 provincial records since the start of 2011.

Steve Morley

Hello Latif,

I recently purchased your complete speed training volume 2 program.  It is exactly what I was looking for.  Thank you so much!  I am a first year, hurdle coach and your program has answered many questions that I had concerning training/coaching etc. I recently attended the New England Track and Field Clinic.  I attended your questions and answers clinic on sprints, hurdles and relays.  It was very helpful and informative.

Thank you so much!

Marjorie Dastous

Hey Latif

I just wanted to thank you again for your work and your resources that you have made available. My team just won our first state title which is also the first boys state championship in school history. I can’t thank you enough for your help. I can’t wait to learn more and keep the titles coming in.

Sincerely,

Nate Burns
Nashua High North
Nashua, NH

I was hired as the Head track coach right out of college, the problem, I was a football guy with very little track experience. It was probably more LUCK than skill to have had any success with the cookie cutter sprint program I ran the first 2 years. A friend and fellow track coach let me watch his Complete Program Design DVD’s. Since then my knowledge and success as a sprint coach dramatically increased. I quickly bought CST2 when it first came out and watched our success improve that much more. CST2 has given me the knowledge and information to successfully prepare and run a great sprint program at a school where there is only outdoor track and most the sprinters are 2 or 3 sport athletes. Since starting CST2 last year we broke 9 school records, 4 top 3 finishes, and 5 other state placers in the sprint events at the State meet. Since purchasing and using Latif’s products, I have been the sprint coach for 21 school records for the sprints in just 3 years. We expect our greatest season in the sprints this year and it is in large part due to the information that CST2 has provided us. Thank you.

Kirk McLaughlin, Sprint Coach, Cedaredge High School, Cedaredge, CO

Coach Thomas –

We live in a small rural Texas town. The track team is used as an adjunct to the football program,
consequently the athletes were running simply to prepare for the next football season. There wasn’t any direct instruction on the biomechanical aspects of speed and if you weren’t naturally fast you were simply relegated to the background.

There happened to be a few kids who enjoyed competing and wanted to enhance their abilities and run in AAU meets during the summer. In our community there are a few adults who compete in USATF Masters track and field on a regional level and we felt that the kids needed concrete sequential education in the mechanics of speed. We searched the internet for resources and found CST2; additionally CST2 was touted as an excellent teaching tool by one of the presenters at a USATF speed clinic at the University of Houston in June of 2011.

The application of “step over, drive down” helped one of our 16 year old male sprinters move from 11.2 during the 2011 track season to 10.8 during the AAU summer season. A female runner who was
an after thought as junior on the school track team has exploded and become “the” fastest girl in school and a top competitor in the District. The written material reinforced by the DVDs have shown the kids that they can learn to be as fast – as they are willing to work.

The instructional material on warm-ups, speed drills and THE START has put this group of athletes head a shoulders above their peers. Through the clarity of the presentations each athlete is able to take ownership of their training and development. People on the periphery (other athletes and parents) have clamored to have their kids introduced to these techniques. The original core of runners are passing on their new found knowledge and one can see the changes in the running styles and attitudes of a significant number of track team members.

Coach P.
Texas

I have used CST2 for the last two years with real good results in our program. I met LT personally in Chicago In 2010 at a coaches clinic. That give me insight on how to use the program more effectively. I also have the CST1 that I refer to when I have 2 go inside in the hallways. I have added LT to the fathers of speed ….Winkler, Seagrave, Plaff & MacFarlane.. to my tools for true speed.

Yours In Speed.

Coach TA Henderson
Marian Catholic- Chicago Heights

Dear Mr. Thomas,

I have really enjoyed all the products that I have purchased from your company. The CST2 really helped me understand that I had to TEACH acceleration–the kids don’t really understand the concept–they just want to “go fast”. I have used your cues–which have proved invaluable and as a team we got rid of some bad habits–enough that my boys won the Regional championship and my girls finished 5th (considering the year before we finished 12th) that’s a big improvement.

Success brings kids out of the woodwork and I have about 65 out this year–we are a 3A school in Kansas so that is a very significant part of our school population. Thank you so much for putting together something that makes sense for a 12 week high school season.

Thank you again and keep up the good work!

Glenda Connelly
Head Boys and Girls Track Coach
Pleasant Ridge HS
Easton, Kansas

The program has helped me in so many ways. It has assured me in the importance of weight training. I tested the methods taught in this program and my athletes have seen incredible results. I bought the program last summer, by just adding lifting into my program, within a month I had one of my male sprinters go from a 11.43 to a 10.97 in 100m. Another male sprinter went from 12.02 to 11.69 in the 100m.

Thanks Latif you have really jumped started my career in track & field.

Mitchell Deering
Georgia Jackets Youth Track & Field Club
Columbus,GA

CST2 has had a positive influence on my training programs & athletes, some of whom I have had to drag along kicking & screaming. I am not going to lie and say I implemented everything in its entirety. However, I have taken what I feel I can with the spirit that I am open to change and always looking to improve.

What I like about all your work & presentations is that you make it simple and clear to follow. So, the proof is in the pudding. Aside from coaching Cross Country in the fall, where I do not want to see any sprinters, I coach sprints during Indoor & Outdoor seasons at a local High School here in Maryland. During my three Indoor seasons and two Outdoor thus far, the Sprint Boys & Girls have set over 16 new school records at the end of all the seasons combined. Some were broken multiple times during a given season. Hard to keep up.

More importantly all the athletes have always kept improving and setting new PR’s. Really have not
had any beasts or freaks, if you will. So, these are just your ordinary everyday kids. Oh, by the way sprinters helped Boy’s team win State championship in Spring of 2010 and just 6 points out of Championship in 2011. Girls have been making improvements each year as a group as well. I feel we & I can always do better but I am pleased with success thus far. I not only look forward to your stuff, but what you recommend as well. Thanks for all you do.

Jud Lincoln
War Horse
Reservoir HS Track & Cross Country Head Coach

Hey Latif,

Appreciate the chance to thank you personally for the difference your Complete Speed Training programs 1 and 2 have made for my program. I teach track to kids from grade four to twelve both indoor and out. In 2004, I had a program that needed an extra push to get to the top step of the podium. I bought Complete Speed Training 1 and immediately things began to rise to the next level. Volume 2 has raised the bar even further with the dvd on relays, weight training, starting blocks and max velocity. Since that time we have won provincial medals, numerous meet titles and have sent athletes on to perform at the university level as well. In addition several of my former athletes are now coaching using your program as a resource for theirs. On behalf of my athletes and myself thanks once again for making track a life time experience for us!

Mr.Laurin Lamothe
Barrhead Elementary School
Barrhead AB
Canada

Hey Latif
This is Coach Nagel at Mars Hill College. We are located right outside of Asheville in North Carolina. I have used your CST over the last three years with just a few tweaks to accommodate my College Athletes. (I’ve found they can handle a little more than most High School kids). By adding ACTUAL speed training to my training schedule and teaching kids how to run properly with your videos I have had alot of success. We have had a 5 time National Qualifier in the 110 Hurdles and 60m Hurdles and he was an All-American twice. We were also able to drop his 100m time from an 11.10 to a 10.78 in just 4 weeks. I have had alot more success stories but this was the biggest one. Just thought I would let you know how you have helped me and my team. Thank you so much!

Coach Nagel
Mars Hill College

Latif,

I decided to make the shift from long to short…. to short to long after taking the USATF Level I course. I was getting great results with my program, (very similar to Clyde Hart stuff = Monday 2×500, Tues 5×200, etc.) but trusted USATF knew what they were doing! I forget how I stumbled upon your CST2, but I liked your video segments and straight forward, no sugar coating way of putting stuff out there.

The other reasons I switched was to focus more on sprinting mechanics (500 meters too long to get guys focusing on front side mechanics) and getting my athletes to buy in to the training (on Monday when I say we are going to a short hill to do 10×10, 10×20 & 10×30 alot more guys buy into that than saying we got 2×500′s and 2×200′s).

All my sprinters did very well with the new philosophy. Great acceleration!! I was a bit nervous when their 200m times didn’t match up with their 100m times, (I almost jumped back into the previous seasons workouts), but by the end of the year it was right on. One example, a sophomore last year with a best of 11.67 as a freshmen, ran 11.13 and 22.56.

Regards,

Jess Garner MS, ATC, CSCS
Strength & Conditioning Coach
Athletic Trainer
Head Track & Field Coach
Crespi Carmelite High School
Encino, California

CST2 has been a great success with my athletes. I coach at Ipswich Boys Grammar in QLD Australia. I have had a school boys team gain 5th spot at the World All Schools Track & Field, 2011, held in Poland. We were the first school from Australia to ever compete in this competition.

I have had numerous state & national medalists across sprints, hurdles & jumps in the previous 3 years (not all from my school). I have had one athlete qualify for Junior Commonwealth games 2011 in 400mh. I have an athlete (14yrs) in 2011, win 100m, 200m & 400m over 4 days @ state level & ran 11.48, 22.37 ( new state record) & 51.60! Same athlete has national comp in March 2012 & hopefully can repeat this performance. This athlete is hoping to qualify for World Youth 2013 in 200m. Also hoping to qualify for World All Schools track & field, 2013.

I have a private squad of 15 athletes ranging in ages 9 – 17 at varying stages of athletic development. I have several athletes who come to me for speed development for other sports.
I coach the school team in hurdles, sprints, relays & high jump. We have achieved top 2 over the previous 12 years taking out 10 titles. Last year was the first year we won without having a state medalist sprinter on the track. This was due to utilizing information from CST2.

I fully recommend this product to anyone who wishes to enhance their coaching ability. I have purchased almost all products recommended by Latif Thomas.

Diane Sheppard
Ipswich Boys Grammar
Queensland, Australia

Latif

We’ve been using CST2 program material as a basis for our program the last 3 years and have seen amazing results from our kids!! We have been a successful program for years, but I really see a difference in our developmental kids. The program helped me organize the things I was doing to make them into a more meaningful process. Thanks to you, Loren Seagrave and Gene Noonan for all I’ve stolen over the past five years.

Jerry Voss
Charlotte High school
Florida 3A State Champs 2010,2011

Latif-

CST2 has provided a wonderful base for our program. We went from having kids who run sprints and jump in our program to actually having legitimate sprinters and jumpers who challenge for the District title every year.

Thanks,

Brent Charles
Team Sprague Track and Field Head Coach
Salem, OR

CST2 is a well developed and physiologically sound training program. Latif has crafted a great program that allowed me to train sprinters energy systems with dramatic results for both my indoor and outdoor teams.

Mike Cohen
Simsbury High School
Simsbury, CT

Latif,

Unlike most of the coaches who bought CST2 to improve their runners and build on the basic principles of technique, we at the Heights Unlimited Vault Club in New Jersey deal only with pole vaulters from grade school right on through to the professional level. The club is based on what I believe is a better way to instruct the vault. We use a style which can be called either Russian or European but, the difference works for us. The reason I bought your program was I needed a different way to go about approaching teaching my students to run faster as sprinters. Speed on the runway is the single most important vaulting element and transferring that speed is critical to becoming good. I have told my vaulters over and over to train as if they were 55M sprinters and the results has been amazing.

In every practice session we cover basic drills on running techniques. Our warm-up drills include so many of your basic sprint drill exercises to make sure that they are at least doing them correctly at the club. I have included additional programs for weight training, gymnastic and yoga exercises to increase both strength and flexibility. One of the key measuring tools for me has been standard placement, all my vaulters jump with their standards deep. In fact, we have a rule that no vaulter can have them closer than 61cm from the back of the box and most are at 80cm. This for me shows me that they are taking off with good speed and transferring it into the vault.

I have laid out a yearly program based on various meso and micro cycles divided up into three basic seasons: Indoor (Nov.-Mar.), Outdoor (Mar. – June), Summer (July – Aug). Therefore, I have included many of your principles outlined in CST2 to develop a program that I think fits my needs. Key to building a proper balanced program that combines both a strength building portion and a high technique program is essential to developing good vaulters.

For those coaches that do not continue to learn, review and constantly review the literature as to what is going on out there are missing a very big opportunity to expand their teams successes. I’ll close on this point, so often you use the phrase “I just stole it” from coach so and so, my coaches told me that 40 years ago and it still remains true. you can’t know everything, but you can keep yourself aware and use it to help your team.

Thanks again, Latif…………..

Coach Al Berardi
Heights Unlimited Vault Club

My name is Tony Lightner and I’m living in San Antonio, TX. I’m not coaching for a school but do personal training for athletes wanting to improve their running mechanics. I volunteer my services and I’m very selective who I take on as clients because of the commitment and dedication required to learn sprint mechanics. Because track coaches at the high schools in this area coach football as their primary sport, it’s slim pickings to find an exclusive track coach. My passion for the sport and investing in your products (Complete Speed Training, Complete Speed Training 2, and Program Design) has increased my track and field coaching knowledge to a level that very few coaches in this area have achieved. Several coaches (HS and AAU) that have been in the profession many years longer than I seek my advice. Since studying your material (and attending clinics etc.) I’ve helped improve the sprinting techniques of 30+ athletes. Your programs are presented in a manner that will allow someone with zero knowledge to become proficient in designing programs, teaching the 5 bio-motor skills , and sprint mechanics. Thanks for all you do for us “up and comers.”

Tony Lightner
San Antonio, TX

Dear Coach Latif,

Let me start off by saying how happy we are with the program….the DVD’s have become the center of many discussions in our house and your workouts will go down in history for my two girls. With no indoor track program offered by our high school combined with living in a rural area we needed something to help us jump start the spring track season. Your program has been our answer!

As a mom I have witnessed some interesting things go on at the hands of less informed coaches who’s main goals are to go through the motions and collect a check at the end of the day. We have seen the entire coaching staff focus attention on one athlete and stood by while our children were put in events that they either would never be successful in or had no interest in. Now in their junior year we have had enough and decided to take matters into our own hands. After searching the internet for training ideas I came across your videos and program and together with my husband we thought, ‘Why not, let’s try it.’ Good decision!

From the first day we knew we had found something that would help us focus the girls training and give them the technical advantage that had been missing from their lack luster school program.

Grey areas in the program I think are due to our personal lack of experience. I am a former National level Cyclist with many years of racing while my husband was a football player. Neither of us ran track but both of us have a strong work out ethic. My husband is also a Physical Therapist and has many ideas that coincide with yours..he also is a fan of some of the people you give credit to in the video as he too has implemented their techniques in his practice.

At this point in time both girls have competed in the Colgate Womens Challenge..One daughter made it to the semi-finals in the 400m and our other daughter’s times were enough to qualify her for the NB Indoor National in the EE 200m. She will compete on March 9th. She has never even run a sprint before this past December but wanted to try it..her high school coach always made her run the 800m which she hated..she is very slightly built and does run xcountry but she hates the 800m. Once she tried the 200m she was hooked. She also wants to run the 100m and has been had timed from a standing start with a 12.82 result after one of your long workouts and hill work. Both she and her sister are excited about this track season and hope their coach lets them run in the events that they have been working on so diligently this winter. It’s cold on that outdoor track but at least no snow this year!

Sorry this is so long but we have been very happy with the program and feel that the guide lines if followed will help even the most inexperienced athlete parent or coach produce a program that will yield results. In fact in our house we refer to you coach as if you are really their coach! We are always saying, “Coach Latif wants you to do this today.” or things to that effect. We absolutely love some of the funny things you say..” chicken wings” or “you can’t hear the gun cause you are in a war zone” these things just make it more personal for the viewer and keeps it real.

Before this program we had no idea so much went into sprinting..it amazes us that we even sent our kids out to the track to race..it is like sending them to play in the snow without any coat, boots or gloves..totally unprepared. At least now we feel like they have a solid foundation to work off of and a resource to go to when in doubt.

Thanks so much for this program!

Sincerely,

Cynthia Fairchild
Sussex, New Jersey

I am not a high school coach but have two daughters I train. Both have had success in the USATF. My oldest (16) has made it to the Junior Olympics twice in the 100 and 200m and my youngest (12) just missed both years by hundredths of a second in the regionals. This was her first two years of running.

My oldest set school records in the 100M(11.8) and the 200M(25.3) her freshman year. I knew they both could be faster if I could teach them the correct form combined with the correct training. Unfortunately the 16 year old tore her ACL and Meniscus one week after starting training for the Winter indoor track season (powder puff football).
Her sophomore year will be a wash, but hoping she can start training with her sister for the Junior Olympics in Baltimore this year.

I watch your videos almost daily and look forward to teaching my girls correct form, stretching and conditioning. With the help of your videos I feel I can now do this. I also have let people know that I will be helping all kids around the area that wish to compete for the Junior Olympics this year.

Darrell Wall

Whats up Latif just wanted to say THANK YOU!

I literally knew nothing about sprinting. Your program really opened my eyes. Now I’m able to train my kids and actually know what I’m talking about. Your program is a must for any athlete regardless of what sport you’re in. My oldest son joined the high school track team and made the 55, 200 and 2 relay teams and WHY because of your program.

Thank you my friend.
Daniel Avila
Aurora,IL

Program really works! I bought the program last year and immediately started using the principles and techniques to train my daughter. She qualified for 5 events ranging from the 55m Hurdles to the 500m dash at 2012 NC Indoor State Championships. As a Junior she set PRs at almost every meet including the State Championship for Ardrey Kell HS in Charlotte, NC. The improvements in her technique, endurance and speed have made significant change in her performance level. People say, “Wow” when they see her run, because of what she has learned through CST2.

She also attended the New England Track and Field camp which is an excellent learning opportunity for athletes of all skill levels.

Kenneth Smith
Charlotte, NC
Ardrey Kell HS

Latif,

I purchased CST2 to help my daughter. She is a sprinter that focuses on the 400. She has run 58.5 as a 10th grader. My goal was to increase her speed. She did not play basketball this year because she wanted to concentrate on track. So we started working out after volleyball season using your program to increase speed and strength.

Her school track coach during her first two years did no speed work and weight training. He is a good coach who has been open minded and eager to absorb my new found training program. Our 12 week cycle to state meet started on Feb. 12th. With only speed training and lifting and very little Ext. and Int. work she as run in two meets. In the first meet she ran 8.24 60yd, 26.1 in 200. Meet two 8.16 60yd, 25.79 200, both PR. She will run her first open 400 in our state meet on Feb. 25th.

Thanks,
Bruce Swinton
Little Rock, AR

At the end of last outdoor season, my daughter told me that she wanted to be on the 4x100m relay team next season. I told her that if she wants to achieve that goal, she needs to become faster so that she is one of the 5 fastest girls on her HS team.

Her indoor PRs and SBs last season were as follows:

55m Dash- 7.95
55m Hurdles- 9.18
60m Hurdles- 10.08

Utilizing CST2, I used the videos for case study (what’s wrong with the running form on this athlete), and focused solely on workouts/drills associated with acceleration/drive phase (rarely running more than 45m)

She learned the importance of triple extension out of the blocks, as well as running with power instead of quickness, with speed being the direct result.

As of this indoor season, her current SBs and new PRs are as follows (for now):

55m Dash- 7.53
55m Hurdles- 8.74
60m Hurdles- 9.47

- Teddy Atcherson

Just a little history regarding how I began coaching, which was not my intention. I kind of fell into this sport by accident. I was searching for a track club that would train my daughter without running her to death.

After ordering and receiving the CST2, my knowledge of track and field has increased tremendously. Utilizing your teachings and technique have brought me to hold different outlook on coaching. As I home in on my coaching skills, it has made me a much better coach.

I continue to read, read and read, trying to understanding the, “Energy Systems”. With the help of this program, it has aided me in learning and coaching my athletes a different way of training with respects to the energy systems.

Thank you,
James Shannon
Second Year Coach
Quiet Fire Club
Los Angeles, CA

Latif:

We are coming to the end of our season here in Tasmania, Australia. I am a dad with three kids running what we call Little Athletics. I have used you program to gain some knowledge and improve my kids form when running. We don’t work on a lot yet, but have used quick legs and use cheek to cheek, hammer hands cues quite a bit. One of my ten year old twins has gone from a 17 second 100m runner last year to a 15.2 this year and a 37 200m to 32.5 200m runner this year. My 12 year old daughter has improved 4 seconds over 200m to a 32.5 PB this year and 17 second 100 runner to a 15.3second runner consistently. My other 10 year old still struggles with form due to his brother beating him, but he has made similar gains this year.

CST2 has really helped me understand how to show the kids how to run a sprint.

Many thanks.

Greg James