Expert Interview

RAW SPEED TRAINING LOGIC INTERVIEW

 WITH ACHILLES SPEED, LLC PRESIDENT, MIKE SHOFFIETT   

 DOCTOR ALAN COVIN INTERVIEWS   THE PRESIDENT OR ACHILLES SPEED LLC MIKE SHOFFIETT SR.  Dr. Covin and Mike own Achilles Speed, LLC. On this web site link Alan asks Mike to answer the most common questions people ask about the revolutionary Speed Training Logic shoes and injury prevention program.

 

FIRST of all Mike, WHY do you call our program RAW Speed instead of Achilles Speed? THE COMPANY WAS NAMED ACHILLES SPEED BEFORE I TOOK OVER AS PRESIDENT. MOST YOUNG PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THAT “ACHILLES” WAS AN ANCIENT WARRIOR WHO FOUGHT FOR THE GREEKS. LEGEND HAS IT THE ENEMY HUNG ACHILLES BY THE TENDONS IN HIS HEELS THAT STILL BEAR HIS NAME. MAINLY WE CONSTANTLY HAVE SPELL THE NAME “ACHILLES” FOR PEOPLE TO LOCATE OUR WEB SITE.

I recently saw a TV program about Tom Shaw’s speed camp. What makes Raw Speed and Injury Prevention better than his and other speed training methods?

TOM SHAW, LOREN SEAGRAVE, BOOTS GARLAND ARE JUST A FEW GREAT SPEED TRAINING PIONEERS. I ADMIRE THEIR SUCCESS AND VISION! I’D LOVE TO DISCUSS OUR PROGRAM WITH THEM.  THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE THAT I KNOW ABOUT IN OUR PROGRAM AND THEIRS IS THE WAY RAW SPEED USES  “LOGIC” TO REDUCE THE EFFECTS OF EXHAUSTION. WE BELIEVE THAT RAW SPEED IS THE ONLY WAY TO USE THE LOGIC OF LEVERAGE, FORM AND TECHNIQUE TO ISOLATE, STRETCH, STRENGTHEN AND CONDITION ALL RUNNING MUSCLES, LIGAMENTS AND TENDONS (AT THE SAME
TIME) IN A "RUNNING MOTION".

 What is your “speed training” background? FORTY YEARS OF PLAYING, COACHING AND WATCHING SPORTS AT ALL LEVELS.  I WAS A COLLEGE FOOTBALL TEAM MATE WITH ONE OF THE FIRST PLATFORM SHOE INVENTORS. LATER I BECAME ONE OF THE FIRST INVESTORS IN THE ORIGINAL PLATFORM SHOE.   I’VE SPENT THE PAST FOUR YEARS AS PRESIDENT OF ACHILLES SPEED RESEARCHING OTHER SPEED TRAINING PROGRAMS AND GETTING OURS DOWN ON DVD,  CD, TAPE, MANUALS AND DEVELOP A MARKETING PLAN.

 HOW do you “know” Speed Training Logic works? 

         BOTH MY SONS WERE ALL STATE FOOTBALL PLAYERS. I BELIEVE 25% OF THEIR SUCCESS WAS FROM TRAINING IN THESE SHOES AND PROGRAM. THEY NEVER SUFFERED A LOWER BODY INJURY. OVER 350+ DIVISION I, II & III COLLEGE PLAYERS AND 70+ PROS IN DIFFERENT SPORTS HAVE USED OUR SHOES AND PROGRAM.

           NO OTHER SPEED TRAINING COMPANY HAS EVER HAD THE 6 OF THE 7 FASTEST COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYERS AT FIVE DIFFERENT S.E.C. SCHOOLS IN THE SAME YEAR. PLUS SEVEN OF OUR CUSTOMERS HAVE TIED OR BROKEN THE OLD 40 YARD DASH RECORD OF 4.25 SECONDS.

         THE FACT THAT NAVY SEALS GET SHOT AT AND MANY OF THEM TRAIN IN OUR PROGRAM SHOULD ILLUSTRATE THAT IF THERE WAS SOMETHING BETTER THEY’D USE IT.

That’s Impressive! How did the concept of leverage from platform shoes come about?

BY “TRIAL AND ERROR. THE INVENTORS WERE LOOKING FOR A WAY TO PREVENT ANKLE AND KNEE INJURIES. ALL COACHES KNOW IT’S NOT POSSIBLE TO PREVENT INJURIES WITHOUT IMPROVING ALL SKILLS. THE LEVERAGE OF PLATFORM SHOES IMPROVES ALL SKILLS BY CAUSING PLAYERS TO LIFT THEIR OWN BODY WEIGHT THOUSANDS OF TIMES DURING “SPEED”, STRENGTH AND PLY METRIC DRILLS. THE INVENTORS DISCOVERED THEIR SHOES NOT ONLY PREVENTED INJURIES BUT THEY REDUCED HEALING TIME IF PLAYERS DID GET HURT. THEY GOT EXCITED WHEN ALL BOYS AND GIRLS STARTED RUNNING FASTER!  

 How were the first platform shoes made?

IN THE SCHOOL SHOP WITH BLOCKS OF WOOD GLUED AND SCREWED TO TENNIS SHOES. THE FIRST PLATFORM SHOES WAS AN AWKWARD “PAN CAKE” DESIGN ON THE THEORY THAT IT WOULD BE MORE STABLE AND PREVENT TURNING ANKLES. THAT MODEL CHANGES RUNNING STRIDES. IT’S STILL SOLD TODAY BY A COMPANY IN NEW ORLEANS FOR “STRENGTH”. IT WAS FEATURED ON THE T.V. SHOW “STIENFIELD” A WHILE BACK. 

 When was the platform shoe invention first sold?

IN THE ‘70s, A BASKET BALL COACH ASKED ONE OF THE INVENTORS IF HE COULD BUY SHOES WHEN HE SAW PLAYERS INCREASE THEIR VERTICAL LEAP. THE INVENTORS BEGAN TALKING TO OTHER COACHES AND DECIDED THERE WAS A “MARKET” FOR THE SHOES AND CONCEPT. THE INVENTORS TOOK ON INVESTORS, APPLIED FOR A PATENT, GOT SHOES MANUFACTURED IN ASIA AND STARTED SELLING THEM “DOOR TO DOOR” AT COACHING CLINICS.

 What is the “history” of speed training?

IN THE EARLY ‘70S THE TERM “SPEED TRAINING” DID NOT EXIST. COACHES BELIEVED THAT PLAYERS WERE NATURALLY SLOW OR FAST AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO HELP. THEY ALSO BELIEVED INJURIES WERE “JUST PART OF THE GAME”.  WE STILL HAVE TO CONSTANTLY PROVE TO “OLD SCHOOL” COACHES THIS ISN’T TRUE.   

 How is the current Achilles Speed shoe design different from other platform shoes?

A LOT OF PEOPLE CONFUSE OUR SHOES WITH THE PANCAKE STYLE “STRENGTH” PLATFORM  SHOES OR A DESIGN CALLED “JUMP SOLES” THAT IS A FLAT PLATFORM THAT IS VELCRO STRAPPED ON REGULAR TENNIS SHOES. BOTH PLATFORM MODELS CHANGE RUNNING STRIDES. JUMP SOLES BECOME UNSTABLE FROM REGULAR USE.   

        THE “ROCKING CHAIR” DESIGN OF OUR SHOES TAKES MAXIMUM ADVANTAGE OF LEVERAGE WITHOUT CHANGING A RUNNER’S STRIDE. IN FACT, PLAYERS CAN RUN FASTER THE FIRST TIME THEY WEAR OUR SHOES THAN THEY CAN IN TRACK SHOES BECAUSE OUR DESIGN FORCES THEM TO RUN WITH A “DOWN HILL” STRIDE.  

         THEY CAUSE BOYS & GIRLS TO LAND ON THE “BALL OF THE FOOT” (NOT ON THEIR TOES) AND ROLL FORWARD WITH A QUICKER AND MORE POWERFUL FOOT PLANTER FLEX ACTION. (WHERE SPEED & INJURY PREVENTION BEGIN.) IT’S ALMOST  LIKE RUNNING “DOWN HILL”. PLAYERS WILL RUN FASTER OR FALL. WHEN OUR SHOES ARE USED AS DIRECTED THEY WILL STRAIGHTEN THE FEET OF SLEW FOOT OR PIGEON TOE ATHLETES.

 Can you describe HOW the shoes and program work?

OUR SHOES CAUSE PLAYERS TO LIFT THEIR OWN BODY WEIGHT THOUSANDS OF TIMES WITH LEVERAGE. OUR PROGRAM COMBINES THIS WITH 10 SPEED, STRENGTH & PLY METRIC DRILLS THAT: ISOLATE, STRETCH, STRENGTHEN AND CONDITION ALL RUNNING MUSCLES, LIGAMENTS AND TENDONS AT THE SAME TIME IN A “RIPPLE ACTION”. IT’S LIKE A ROCK HITTING WATER. THIS “RIPPLE ACTION” STARTS IN THE FEET “PLANTAR FLEX” (WHERE SPEED BEGINS) AND MOVES UP THROUGH THE LEGS, HIPS AND LOWER BODY.  SLOW AND FAST TWITCH MUSCLES GET QUICKER, LONGER AND STRONGER WHICH INCREASES THE POWER, LENGTH AND FREQUENCY OF RUNNING STRIDES TO IMPROVE SPEED.

 That sounds logical for “speed” what about injury prevention?

I HAVE TO REPEAT: IMPROVING SPEED AND PREVENTING INJURIES ARE THE SAME THING! BY CONSTANTLY WORKING ALL MUSCLES, LIGAMENTS AND TENDONS WITH FORM AND TECHNIQUE PLAYERS DEVELOPS WHAT I CALL “RUNNING STRENGTH”. FOR EXAMPLE: ABOUT 1% OF PLAYERS IN A TYPICAL STRENGTH & CONDITIONING PROGRAM CAN EXTEND, ONE LEG, MAINTAIN BALANCE AND DO A FULL ONE LEG SQUAT. AFTER 12 WEEKS 50% OF OUR CUSTOMERS CAN DO 10 ON EACH LEG.

 What are some of the main injuries our speed shoes and program prevent?

TURF TOE WHICH IS A MODERN INJURY THAT OCCURS ON ARTIFICIAL TURF TO THE MUSCLES LEADING TO THE BIG TOE. WE ALSO PREVENT LOW AND HIGH ANKLE SPRAINS ALONG WITH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE KNEE INJURIES.  NATURALLY WE PREVENT PULLED MUSCLES. ACHILLES TENDON OR HIP POINTER INJURIES ARE RARE INJURIES BUT WE’VE NEVER HAD A PLAYER SUFFER ONE. PLUS NO ONE HAS EVER REPORTED A SINGLE INJURY FROM TRAINING IN OUR SHOES AS DIRECTED. 

What is the significance of developing running strength?

 IT REDUCES TRAINING TIME! PLAYERS CAN ELIMINATE 80% OF LOWER BODY WEIGHT ROOM TIME BY WORKING IN OUR SHOES AND PROGRAM FOR 30 MINUTES 3 DAYS A WEEK. THE ABILITY TO DO ONE LEG SQUATS (RUNNING STRENGTH) MEASURES PROGRESS TOWARD IMPROVING SPEED AND PREVENTING INJURIES. A BOY OR GIRL WITH CORRECT RUNNING FORM AND STRENGTH WILL RUN AS FAST AS THEIR AGE AND SIZE ALLOW. A HOSPITAL STUDY BY DR. JAMES BOSTON AND OTHERS CONFIRM THAT PLAYERS WITH RUNNING STRENGTH SUFFER 90% LESS INJURIES AND HEAL UP TO 50% FASTER IF THEY DO GET HURT.

 Do Coaches still neglect speed training? 

YES! COACHES EITHER DON’T KNOW ABOUT US OR CONFUSE OUR SHOES WITH OTHER PLATFORM SHOES. ITS HUMAN NATURE TO BE SKEPTICAL ABOUT NEW IDEAS AND PRODUCTS.  AS MORE AND MORE OF OUR CUSTOMERS PLAY AT THE “NEXT LEVEL” COACHES IN ALL SPORTS ARE STARTING TO PAY ATTENTION.  IN THE EARLY DAYS WEIGHT ROOMS WERE JUST BEGINNING. NOW EVERY COACH HAS A WEIGHT ROOM. THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE CLAIMING TO BE “SPEED TRAINING” EXPERTS THAT MANY COACHES ARE CONFUSED.  THE MAJORITY OF COACHES STILL TRY TO DEVELOP “SPEED” USING STATIONARY WEIGHTS AND EXERCISES OR RESISTANCE TRAINING BY DRAGGING SLEDS, RUNNING IN SAND, WATER, UP HILL AND ETC. WE’RE CHANGING THEM ONE AT A TIME BY A “WORD OF MOUTH” SALES AND MARKETING PLAN.

 What’s wrong with stationary weights, exercises and resistance for “speed” training?

THEY STRENGTHEN AND CONDITION PLAYERS TO HELP PREVENT INJURIES BUT DISCOURAGE THEM ABOUT SPEED TRAINING BECAUSE THEY’RE NOT “SPEED TRAINING SPECIFIC” . 1. STATIONARY WEIGHTS AND EXERCISES ONLY WORK A FEW MUSCLES AT A TIME WITH A LIMITED RANGE OF MOTION. 2. RESISTANCE TRAINING BY DRAGGING PARACHUTES & SLEDS, RUNNING IN SAND, WATER OR WEARING OTHER PLATFORM SHOES SLOW RUNNERS BY CHANGING THEIR STRIDE. 3. THEY ARE BORING, EXHAUSTING, TAKE SUPER DEDICATION AND YEARS FOR QUESTIONABLE RESULTS. 4.  LESS DEDICATED ATHLETES QUIT OR DON’T “GO OUT” FOR THE TEAM GIVING COACHES LESS TALENT TO CHOOSE FROM.

 

Talk about the Logic Of Our Shoes and Program.

WE USE THE LOGIC OF 30+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, FORM, TECHNIQUE, LEVERAGE, COMPETITION, RESTING AS NEEDED, REWARDS AND HUMOR TO INCREASE SPEED AND ALL OTHER SKILLS “AT THE SAME TIME” IN WEEKS, NOT YEARS. 1. WE ELIMINATE THE “BLOOD & GUTS” MARATHON TRAINING SESSIONS BY REQUIRING PLAYERS TO REST AS LONG AS NECESSARY TO DO OUR DRILLS CORRECTLY.  2. WE GET PLAYERS TO COMPETE WITH THEMSELVES AND OTHERS TO SEE WHO CAN DO THE DRILLS BETTER. 3. WE MAKE IT FUN BY GIVING SMALL REWARDS. (CANDY, PIZZA AND ETC) 4. FAST MEASURABLE RESULTS IMPROVE ATTITUDES AND ENCOURAGES BOYS & GIRLS TO TRAIN “ON THEIR OWN”.

 5.  MORE PLAYERS COME OUT FOR THE TEAM” WHCH GIVES COACHES MORE TALENT TO CHOOSE FROM.  6. MOTOVATED, INJURY FREE AND FASTER PLAYERS WIN, EARN SCHOLARSHIPS AND SIGN PRO CONTRACTS. 7. WE’VE NEVER HEARD PLAYERS ASK TO LIFT WEIGHTS, DRAG SLEDS OR RUN STADIUM STEPS. WE’VE HEARD A LOT OF BOYS AND GIRLS ASK IF THEY WERE GOING TO TRAIN IN OUR SHOES? IN FACT, WHEN BOYS & GIRLS LEARN TO DO OUR DRILLS WITH CORRECT FORM AND TECHNIQUE THEY BECOME THEIR OWN SPEED TRAINING COACH. 8. WE KEEP PLAYERS LAUGHING BY TELLING AND HAVING PLAYERS TELL “CLEAN” FUNNY JOKES AND STORIES ABOUT PERSONAL EXPERIENCES  AND ETC.

 

Discuss your speed training and injury prevention philosophy.

I’VE BEEN TRYING TO BUT IT’S NOT A BRIEF DISCUSSION. WHEN I PLAYED, MOST OF MY COACHES WERE “BLOOD & GUTS” FANATICS THAT DISCOURAGED PEOPLE FROM “GOING OUT FOR THE TEAM” OR MADE THEM QUIT. MY PHILOSOPHY IS THE EXACT OPPOSITE! I BELIEVE EXHAUSTION IS THE NUMBER ONE ENEMY OF SPEED TRAINING. (TIRED PLAYERS JUST GO THROUGH THE MOTIONS.)  “NO PAIN, NO  GAIN” HAS A PLACE IN SPEED TRAINING BUT IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE UNPLEASANT.  MY PHILOSOPHY IS  THE EFFECTS OF EXHAUSTION CAN BE REDUCED WITH LOGIC I TALKED ABOUT EARLIER. OUR PROGRAM IS “FUN” BUT IT’S NOT EASY. PLAYERS WILL AVOID INJURIES, GET IN TOP CONDITION AND RUN FASTER! MY GOAL IS TO MAKE BOYS & GIRLS LOOK FORWARD TO TRAINING IN OUR SHOES AND PROGRAM

 

What’s the main requirement to run faster?

ANY GOOD TRACK COACH WILL TELL YOU, THE ONLY WAY TO RUN FASTER IS TO INCREASE STRIDE POWER, LENGTH AND FREQUENCY. THAT HAS TO START BY CONCENTRATING ON THE MOST NEGLECTED AREA OF THE BODY FOR SPEED TRAINING AND INJURY PREVENTION WHICH IS THE FEET AND ANKLES PLANTER FLEX ACTION. WE’VE LEARNED TO JUDGE A PLAYER’S SPEED POTENTIAL BY TIMING THE NUMBER OF FULL PLANTAR FLEX ACTIONS THEY CAN DO IN 10 SECONDS. FOR EXAMPLE: IF A PLAYE R CAN MOVE EACH FOOT THROUGH A FULL PLANTAR FLEX MOTION 15 TIMES IN 10 SECONDS HE CAN RUN THE 40 YD DASH IN 5 SECONDS. THE TIME DROPS FOR EACH TIME THEY CAN DO IT OVER 15 TIMES.  

 

You mentioned the logic of form and technique.

FORM AND TECHNIQUE ARE CRITCAL FOR SPEED ESPECIALLY IN THE START, RECOVERY, ACCELERATION, AND VELOCITY STAGES OF SPRINTING. SPEED DOES NOT OCCUR UNTIL PLAYERS REACH THE VELOCITY STAGE OF SPRINTING. THE ONLY PURPOSE OF A QUICK START IS TO GET TO THE VELOCITY STAGE SOONER. TECHNIQUE IS CRITICAL IN THE START.  A PERSON CAN RUN FASTER THAN A THOURGH BRED RACE HORSE BECAUSE THEY CAN REACH THE “VELOCITY” STAGE OF RUNNING BEFORE THE HORSE CAN. ALL 4 STAGES REQUIRE TECHNIQUE AND RUNNING FORM BE EXECUTED CORRECTLY.

 What age can players benefit from using our shoes and program?

I WOULD NOT START MY SON OR DAUGHTER BEFORE PUBERTY OR ABOUT 12 YEARS OLD. LET KIDS BE KIDS AS LONG AS YOU CAN. THEY CATCH UP QUICK. WE PRODUCE RESULTS IN WEEKS, NOT YEARS. LET ME SAY THIS!  OUR SHOES ARE ONLY HALF OF OUR SPEED TRAINING EQUATION. THE OTHER HALF IS THE 10 SPECIAL DRILLS WE USE. KIDS UNDER 12 OR PEOPLE WHO CAN’T AFFORD OUR SHOES CAN INCREASE SPEED JUST BY LEARNING TO DO OUR DRILLS AND BY EXECUTING THE 4 PHASES OF SPRINTING CORRECTLY. YOUNGER AND OLDER PEOPLE CAN BENEFIT FROM OUR SHOES AND PROGRAM BY LEARNING TO DO THE ISOMETRIC EXERCISES EXPLAINED IN OUR MANUAL. EVERY ONE SHOULD DO THEM FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIFE TO COMBAT GRAVITY AND OTHER EFFECTS OF AGING. WE HAVE SENIOR OLYMPIANS THAT SWEAR OUR SHOES AND PROGRAM IMPROVES PERFORMANCE.

 

How long does the Achilles Speed training shoes and program take to be effective?

AFTER THEY LEARN OUR DRILLS IT WILL TAKE ABOUT 30 MINUTES A DAY AND 8 WEEKS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS TO START RUNNING FASTER. PLAYERS WILL RUN AS FAST AS THEIR AGE AND SIZE ALLOW WHEN THEY CAN DO ALL TEN OF OUR DRILLS CORRECTLY IN 25 MINUTES OR LESS.

 

Should players “speed train” during the season?

ABSOLUTELY! PLAYERS SHOULD TRAIN   BOTH IN AND OUT OF THEIR SPORT(S) SEASON. THEY CAN CUT BACK TO 2 DAYS A WEEK DURING THE SEASON IF NECESSARY BUT DON’T STOP TRAINING! PLAYERS LOOSE A STEP WITHOUT SPEED TRAINING JUST LIKE THEY GET WEAKER WHEN THE STOP LIFTING WEIGHTS.  THIS IS CRITICAL BECAUSE WE DO THE SAME THING FOR SPEED AND ALL OTHER SKILLS THAT WEIGHTS DO FOR STRENGTH BY DEVELOPING “RUNNING STRENGTH” THAT I TALKED ABOUT EARLIER.

 

I notice you don’t use scientific terms when you talk about speed training.

SICIENTIFIC MUSCLE TERMS AND ETC. ARE CLASS ROOM TOPICS. BOOKS CAN BE WRITTEN ON “HOW  AND WHY OUR SHOES AND DRILS WORK. WE BELIEVE THE “PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING”. PLAYERS TRAINING TO RUN FASTER ARE NOT INTERESTED IN DISCUSSING “WHY”. THE DEBATE OVER TECHNICAL REASONS WE ARE SO EFFECTIVE IS INTERESTING BUT TAKES TOO MUCH TIME. I HAVE A MINOR IN SCIENCE AND MY PARTNERS ARE DOCTORS. WE’LL BE GLAD TO PROVE ANYTHING I SAY FROM AN ACADEMIC POINT OF VIEW.  

 

Why do you keep saying, speed training and injury prevention program”?

AS A PARENT AND OLD COACH I CONSIDER INJURY PREVENTION JUST AS IMPORTANT AS SPEED TRAINING. YOU CAN’T HAVE ONE WITHOUT THE OTHER. ALMOST ALL TRAINING METHODS PREVENT INJURIES. OUR SHOES AND PROGRAM IS THE ONLY WAY TO DEVELOP SPEED AND ALL OTHER SKILLS THE SAME TIME IN LESS TRAINING TIME.   

 

How do girls benefit from your shoes and program?

THE EXACT SAME WAY AS BOYS! THEY RUN FASTER, JUMP HIGHER, FARTHER AND AVOID INJURIES. EVERYBODY SAYS, “SPEED WINS!” ANY GIRL OR BOY CAN WIN BY GETTING BETTER TO JUST MAKE THE TEAM OR PLAY AT THE “NEXT LEVEL” IN ANY SPORT OR ACTIVITY. WE SELL AS MANY SHOES TO THE WOMEN’S COACHES AS MEN’S COACHES.

  

What can you do for athletes that already have “world class” speed?

WE GET THAT QUESTION A LOT FROM COLLEGE AND PRO COACHES WHO CAN RECRUIT OR HIRE FASTER PLAYERS. THAT DON’T UNDERSTAND THAT SPEED TRAINING AND INJURY PREVENTION IS THE EXACT SAME THING. WE MAY ONLY INCREASE “WORLD CLASS” SPEED BY A FRACTION OF ONE STEP BUT WE GUARANTEE TO HELP THESE PLAYERS AVOID INJURIES BY IMPROVING ALL SKILLS TO COMPETE BETTER AND LONGER

 

What do you say to people that don’t believe in your shoes and program?

WE LIKE HONEST SKEPTICS! THEY MIGHT NOT BE FAMILIAR WITH OUR SHOES AND PROGRAM OR GET US MIXED UP WITH THE OLD “STRENGTH” PLAT FORM SHOES THAT CHANGE RUNNING STRIDES.  ONCE SKEPTICS USE OUR SHOES AND PROGRAM THEY BECOME OUR BEST “WORD OF MOUTH” SALES PEOPLE.  I ALWAYS ASK SKEPTICS ABOUT THEIR SPEED TRAINING METHODS AND EXAMPLES OF THEIR SUCCESS. IT’S EASY TO PROVE OUR LOGIC. IF  SKEPTICS DON’T BELIEVE IN LOGIC I INVITE THEM TO CONSIDER OUR “ SPEED TRAINING CHALLENGE”.

 

What is the “Speed Training Logic Challenge”?

WE ACCEPT WAGERS, GIVE ODDS AND CHALLENGE ANY COMPETITOR TO COMPARE THEIR SPEED TRAINING RESULTS TO OURS AFTER 8 WEEKS.

 

Has anyone ever accepted your Challenge?

YES. AN HONEST COLLEGE STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH ACCEPTED THE ACHILLES SPEED CHALLENGE AT A COACHING CLINIC BACK IN THE ‘90s.

 

What happened?

WE OFFERED TO PUT UP $10,000.00 TO HIS $5,000.00 AND WINNER TAKE ALL WITH THE FOLLOWING “GROUND RULES”. 1. A LOCAL T.V. SPORTS CASTER WOULD CHOOSE AND TEST TWENTY H.S. ATHLETES FOR SPEED AND VERTICAL LEAP. 2. EACH OF US WOULD TRAIN 10  FOR 8 WEEKS. 3. WE WOULD RE-MEASURE AND ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS ON T.V. AFTER 8 WEEKS. THE CHALLENGER REALIZED WE WERE GRAVE YARD SERIOUS. HE DECLINED AND DECIDED TO “TRY” OUR SHOES AND PROGRAM.  NOW HE IS A DEDICATED SPEED TRAINING LOGIC AMBASSADOR.

  

Who are some of the Coaches that buy or use our shoes and program?

AT THE RISK OF HURTING SOME PEOPLE’S FEELINGS I’D HAVE TO SAY RAY PERKINS, JACKIE SHERILL, PARKER DYKES, DON SHALLS, DONNIE BOZEMAN, BEAU WILLIFORD AND BRANT SLOAN ARE JUST A FEW OF OUR COACHING CUSTOMERS. IN COACHING IMITATION IS FLATTERY. WE’VE LEARNED THINGS FROM THE LEGENDARY “BOOTS GARLAND”,  LOREN SEAGRAVE, TOM SHAW, DR. JAMES BOSTON, JOE BROCKHOFF, CARL MADISON, STEVE HOLLAND,  LOUIE COOK AND MANY OTHERS.

 

Who are some of the athletes that have trained in our shoes and program?

JUST A FEW “WORLD CLASS” CUSTOMERS WE’VE HELPED ARE CARL LEWIS, MARY LOU RETTON, ROBERT GULLESPIE, TERRELL GRINDLE, KESHAUN FUDGE, KASHA CHAMBLIN, DION BRANCH, JEVON WALKER, MICHAEL LEWIS, KENT MARTIN AND JOHN MANGUM JR. PLUS THERE ARE THOUSANDS MORE AT OVER 700 JR. AND SR. HIGH SCHOOLS, 50 D-I COLLEGES AND 43 PRO TEAMS IN ALL SPORTS.

 

What about people that say “they don’t have the time” to use your shoes. 

THEY OBVIOUSLY DON’T BELIEVE THAT SPEED WINS.   WE IGNORE THEM IF THEY SAY THAT 60 MINUTES A WEEK IS TOO MUCH TIME TO WORK ON SPEED, STRENGTH, FLEXIBILITY, BALANCE, AGILITY, ENDURANCE, EXPLOSION AND ATTITUDES. IT TAKES LESS TIME, NOT MORE! 

 

What do you say when Coaches ask about changing your drills? 

“WHY RE-INVENT THE WHEEL? WE’VE NEVER HAD A PLAYER THAT DID NOT IMPROVE EVERY ATHLETIC SKILL IN 8 WEEKS. WE TRIED HUNDREDS OF DRILLS BEFORE SELECTING THE TEN WE USE. SOME WEIGHTS AND OTHER DRILLS MIGHT COMPLIMENT OUR SPEED SHOES AND PROGRAM BUT NOTHING CAN REPLACE IT FOR DEVELOPING RUNNING SPEED AND PREVENTING INJURIES! “SPEED” IS COMMON TO ALL SPORTS! HOWEVER, I’D BE INTERESTED IN TALKING TO PEOPLE IN OTHER SPORTS TO DEVELOP A SPORTS “SPECIFIC” TRAINING PROGRAM. ESPECIALLY IN ONES WE DON’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT LIKE: SOCCER, HOCKEY, SKIING, CRICKET, RUGBY, CHEER LEADING, GYMNASTICS, BALLET DANCING AND ETC. 

 

What does your shoes and program do for someone playing a sport like golf?

IMPROVING ALL SKILLS HAS TO HELP ANY ATHLETE IN ANY SPORT. IT WASN’T SCIENTIFIC BUT ONE COACH TESTED 10 GOLFERS FOR 8 WEEKS. FIVE PLAYED 18 HOLES A DAY, 3 DAYS A WEEK IN OUR SHOES AND 5 DID NOT. AFTER 8 WEEKS THE “DRIVE” OFF THE TEE OF THE 5 THAT PLAYED IN OUR SHOES INCREASED BY AN AVERAGE OF 22 YARDS COMPARED TO 5 YARDS FOR THE PLAYERS THAT DID NOT USE OUR SHOES. WE “BELIEVE” THAT BALANCE AND INCREASED LEG STRENGTH WERE THE TWO MAIN REASONS.   

 

Can you briefly describe your drills and program?

WE BEGIN BY CONVINCING PLAYERS NEVER TO STRETCH COLD MUSCLES. WE TEACH AN ISOMETRIC TENSIONING DRILL WITH EACH MUSCLE GROUP BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER EVERY WORK OUT.  (SEE OUR TRAINING MANUAL) NO PAIN, NO GAIN IS TRUE WHEN PREPARING FOR COMPETITION. WE CAN PROVE PAIN IS UN-NECESSARY TO COMBAT THE EFFECTS OF GRAVITY AND AGING.

 

 AFTER WARMING UP WITH THIS ISOMETRIC EXERCISE WE GO INTO A FOOT PLANTER FLEX QUICKNESS AND POWER DRILLS. THE FIRST THING WE LOOK AT WHEN TRAINING AN ATHLETE IS FOOT PLACEMENT, REACTION TIME AND POWER OF HIS “PLANTER FLEX” MOVEMENT. THEN WE USE A “BALLET” DRILL TO WORK ON STRETCHING, STRENGTH AND BALANCE. THEN WE CONCENTRATE ON THE CORRECT FORM AND TECHNIQUE FOR THE 4 STAGES OF SPRINTING. (START, RECOVERY, ACCELERATION AND VELOCITY) WE USE 8 SPECIAL PLOMETRIC SPEED MODELING AND STRENGTH DRILLS THAT HELP PLAYERS IMPROVE THE QUICKNESS AND POWER OF SLOW TWITCH MUSCLES FROM THE FEET THROUGH THE LEGS AND LOWER BACK WITH THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF IMPROVING THE PLAYER’S STRIDE LENGTH AND FREQUENCY. 

 

How much do our shoes and program cost?

PEOPLE ARE NOT BUYING SHOES.  THEY’RE BUYING GUARANTEED SPEED TRAINING AND INJURY PREVENTION.  IT’S FRUSTRATING TO WATCH SCHOOLS SPEND TONS OF MONEY ON EQUIPMENT TO DEVELOP STRENGTH AND OBJECT TO A MORE THAN FAIR PRICE FOR OUR SHOES AND DRILLS.  OUR SHOES ARE EXPENSIVE TO MAKE AND HARD TO GET. ASIAN MANUFACTURERS WON’T MAKE 10,000 PAIR ORDERS UNTIL THE COMPLETE 1M+ ORDERS FROM NIKE AND OTHERS.

WE HAVE THOUSANDS OF CUSTOMERS THAT WILL CONFIRM OUR SHOES AND PROGRAM WOULD BE CHEAP AT ANY PRICE. IF CUSTOMERS DON’T AGREE, WE’LL BUY THEM BACK! BEFORE GROUP DISCOUNTS, FINANCING, OR FUND RAISING WE CHARGE $250.00 PLUS SHIPPING FOR OUR SHOES AND PROGRAM.

 

How do you guarantee speed training?

BEFORE ATHLETES PUT ON OUR SHOES OR DOES OUR DRILLS WE ASK THEM TO LISTEN TO OUR INSTRUCTION CD, READ OUR MANUAL OR ATTEND ONE OF OUR CLINICS. IF THEY ARE NOT CONVINCED WE CAN IMPROVE THEIR RUNNING SPEED WE’D BE HAPPY TO REFUND THEIR MONEY.  WE’VE NEVER HAD A PLAYER ASK FOR THEIR MONEY BACK. OUR APPROACH TO SPEED TRAINING IS UNIQUE, DIFFERENT AND EXCLUSIVE BUT LET ME BE CLEAR. IT’S NOT EASY OR MAGIC! PLUS LET ME WARN PEOPLE THAT READ THIS. OUR SHOES OR NOTHING ELSE WORKS IF LEFT IN THE CLOSET. DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME AND MONEY IF YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO TRAIN AS INSTRUCTED.

 

Are our shoes and program the only way to run faster?

OF COURSE NOT.  WE HAVE TO REMIND PEOPLE ALL THE TIME THAT PLAYERS NATURALLY RUN FASTER AS THEY GET OLDER. GIRLS & BOYS CAN LEARN TO RUN FASTER JUST BY PERFORMING THE 4 STAGES OF SPRINTING CORRECTLY. 

 

Does if help if boys and girls train MORE often?

ABSOLUTELY NOT! I CAUTION ANYONE THAT USES OUR SHOES AND PROGRAM ABOUT OVERTRAINING. IT’S TEMPTING AFTER SEEING IMPROVEMENT IN A FEW WEEKS TO BELIEVE: “IF A LITTLE TRAINING IS GOOD, A LOT MUST BE BETTER”. NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH!  

 

What is your vision for the Achilles Speed, LLC?

OUR GOAL IS TO EXECUTE OUR BUSINESS & MARKETING PLAN THAT REVOLUTIONIZES SPEED TRAINING AND INJURY PREVENTION FOR ATHLETES IN ALL SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES FROM JR. HIGH TO THE PROFESSIONAL LEVEL ON A WORLD WIDE SCALE.

  

How do you plan to do that?

WE WILL DUPLICATE OUR SKILLS FOR MAKING BOYS AND GIRLS OF ALL AGES IN ALL SPORTS RUN FASTER AND PREVENT INJURIES. WE WANT TO BECOME THE “McDONALDS” OF THE “SPEED TRAINING BUSINESS. WE BEGAN BY GETTING THESE METHODS ON MANUALS AND CDs. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF RECRUITING AND TRAINING SPORTS MINDED PEOPLE TO DISTRIBUTE OUR SHOES AND INSTRUCT OUR EXCLUSIVE PROGRAM IN WORLD WIDE ZIP CODE DEFINED AND PROTECTED MARKETS. AFTER A ONE DAY SCHOOL DISTRIBUTORS CAN EARN IMPRESSIVE PROFITS WITHOUT RISK OR COMPETITION FROM AN ENDLESS SUPPLY OF MALE AND FEMALE CUSTOMERS IN ZIP CODE PROTECTED  MARKETS.  CLICK HERE TO VISIT “THE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY” PAGE.

 

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