Today’s podcast guest is Chris Korfist. Chris is a veteran speed coach and founder of Slow Guy Speed School, known for blending sprint biomechanics, neurology, and innovative training methods to help athletes improve acceleration, speed, and movement efficiency.
In this episode, sprint coach, Chris Korfist dives into the intersection of speed development, neurology, biomechanics, and athletic performance. Chris shares insights from decades of coaching experience, discussing acceleration mechanics, movement efficiency, reflexive training, and the evolving role of technology in speed development. The conversation also explores how rhythm, coordination, and nervous system function influence elite performance, along with practical ways coaches can create more adaptable, resilient, and explosive athletes across a variety of sports and training environments.
Chris features a deeper dive into his training concepts on his Skool account.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Hammer Strength and Lila Exogen.
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Topics
0:00 – Basement Gym Origins
8:04 – Traditional Setup Choices
10:13 – Hands, Grip, and Force
13:28 – Integration Versus Isolation
16:02 – Split Squats and Balance
19:41 – Relaxing the Neck
23:09 – Primitive Reflexes Debate
27:23 – Overspeed With Kids
31:47 – Cueing the Race Less
37:21 – Wearables and Curve Running
41:36 – Shoulder Action on the Curve
45:24 – Drills Fade Out
47:45 – Physics Over Lifting
55:36 – Foot-Guided Sprinting
1:06:17 – Training Hip Flexors
1:15:39 – Coaching With Buy-In
1:26:20 – King of DB Hammer
Chris Korfist Quotes
“Every piece of equipment is a tool. It’s how you use the tool, and what you get out of that tool is what’s really important.”
“When your body’s organized in a safe way, you can put more power out.”
“Pure power development, I don’t think there’s much better than a safety bar squat.”
“Most of our brain goes toward our hands and feet. And what we’ve done in the weight room is we’ve got a one inch bar that we grab all the time, and that’s what we get strong at. But when we sprint, there’s different hand positions.”
“That turnover is really what starts to separate the elite from the really good.”
“I don’t give running cues. My running cue is push as hard as you can off your back leg when you start and then race.”
“I don’t want to override what their brain knows subconsciously more about their body than I know.”
“I think, first of all, an understanding with your athletes as to why we’re doing the workout. Because I think if you can explain to them why we’re doing something, there’s going to be more of a buy-in.”
About Chris Korfist
Chris Korfist is a veteran speed coach, educator, and consultant known for his innovative work in sprint performance, acceleration, and athletic development. He is the founder of Slow Guy Speed School and co-founder of the Track Football Consortium alongside Tony Holler. Korfist has consulted with NFL teams and major NCAA programs, while coaching athletes from youth to professional levels. His work blends sprint biomechanics, neurology, reflexive performance, and cutting-edge training technology to help athletes improve speed and movement efficiency.
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