The acceleration ladder or tape drill dates back to the Cold War era. In debunking this exercise, formerly termed “East German Stick Drill,” one may take a look and think it was created to elicit disharmony in the speed and power athlete of the United States. The application is often butchered greatly by coaches and athletes alike. Hearsay has it that the Soviet Block countries were using this drill some time ago. Remi Korchemny, the author of Innovations in Speed Development, popularized the use of the stick drill to teach the bleed out and transitional component of the acceleration pattern from a static starting position. Korchemny prescribed a five to seven stride model for beginners and an initial 3-foot first stick placement. His progressions start with a lengthening of 15 cm (6 inches) per rung. Korchemny and the East Germans left an imprint on early sprint speed coaches such as Tom Shaw and Gary Winckler who used it to develop field and sprint sport athletes. These highly acclaimed coaches helped create a strong mid-1990’s buzz. Naturally, the drill became extremely watered down via high school and collegiate level coaches and athletes. Mechanical sprint dysfunction and technical model disturbance are commonly created by allowing athletes to: maintain poor posture, cast/overreach, and focus too heavily on limb speed of movement. Personally, I was a part of its incorrect implementation as a high school athlete in my football and track and field days. Many young athletes will develop an end goal thought, “This is where my foot needs to hit” rather than use the appropriate question, “what positions and feeling state will best get me there?” Furthermore, the drill isn’t a one size fits all model and is often used incorrectly in large group settings. Charlie Francis expressed its flaws best when he asked these questions, “How can everybody be the same? Are you 5’6” or 6’6”? Sprinting is a hindbrain activity where simple functions can be performed at great speed. Adding complexity to a simple activity slows function down and encourages tightness, which is death to a sprinter.” We must remember the how always trumps the what!

Sprinting is a hindbrain activity where simple functions can be performed at great speed. - Charlie Francis