10/01/2026
A lot of athletes think they're working on speed when they're really just getting tired.
What separates speed work from conditioning comes down to rest.
Speed work: Max effort, then rest until you're fully recovered. You're teaching your nervous system to fire fast.
Conditioning: Repeated efforts with short rest. You're teaching your body to push through fatigue.
Simple rule: Give yourself at least 1 minute of rest for every 10 yards you sprint.
• 10 yards → 1+ min
• 20 yards → 2+ min
• 40 yards → 4+ min
If speed is the goal, don't let your sprints turn into a conditioning session. Fatigue makes you slow. Fewer reps, better reps. Rest long enough that every rep is fast.
