Meet Lance Brauman, the Brains Behind The Quickest Sprinters on Earth

Within the realm of observe and discipline, few names carry as a lot weight as Lance Brauman. Because the founding father of Pure Athletics and the coach behind among the quickest sprinters in U.S. historical past, Brauman’s philosophy has reshaped what it means to practice for velocity within the trendy period. His affect stretches from previous champions like Tyson Homosexual to present world chief Noah Lyles, the quickest American within the 200-meter dash.

Brauman’s roots hint again to his days as a highschool lengthy jumper, however it was teaching that finally claimed him—one thing he attributes to household. “In case your father was a development employee, I’d be in development. Mine was a observe coach,” he as soon as stated. That lineage led him to LSU, the place he started his teaching profession as an assistant underneath Dennis Shaver.

His subsequent cease was Barton Neighborhood Faculty, the place he turned head coach and turned the small Kansas faculty right into a nationwide powerhouse. Whereas there, Brauman coached future Olympic and World Champions, together with Derrick Brew, Veronica Campbell-Brown, and Tyson Homosexual. After a number of NJCAA nationwide titles, he was employed by the College of Arkansas, the place he continued his success with athletes like Homosexual and Wallace Spearmon.

In 2007, Lance Brauman launched Pure Athletics in Clermont, Florida—a coaching floor that may change into a worldwide sprinting hub. His roster consists of Olympic gold medalists and World Champions. Noah Lyles, the present 200m American file holder (19.31), trains underneath Brauman, as does two-time Olympic 400m champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo. The outcomes converse for themselves: constant podium finishes, world-leading occasions, and championship pedigree.

Teaching Philosophy: Precision and Efficiency

Lance Brauman locations main emphasis on top-end velocity. “It doesn’t matter how proficient a starter you’ve if he can’t end,” he explains. He makes use of technical drills just like the “A” skip to show vertical leg drive and cut back inefficient overextension. His philosophy is structured however adaptable—coaching selections are dictated by efficiency metrics, not assumptions.

He additionally emphasizes not over-coaching. “Set clear expectations, then alter primarily based on what the athlete reveals you,” he advises. It’s a practical, athlete-first method that builds each belief and outcomes.

Power Coaching: The Science of Pace

Understanding that sprinting is a operate of drive utility, Brauman integrates weight coaching into his routine. He highlights the equation:

Pressure = Mass × Acceleration

By rising an athlete’s drive output, Brauman enhances their potential to speed up and preserve excessive speeds, a precept evident within the performances of his protégés. His program incorporates explosive compound lifts—comparable to cleans, squats, and sled pushes—to construct floor drive manufacturing and reduce time spent on the bottom throughout every stride.

Brauman occasions power blocks strategically all through the coaching season, complementing dash mechanics whereas growing the facility and elasticity wanted for elite velocity. For him, the load room isn’t a separate component—it’s a part of the dash equation.

Recommendation for Athletes and Coaches

When requested what athletes can do to get quicker, Brauman retains it easy: “Comply with individuals getting outcomes.” He advises sprinters to grasp the fundamentals—kind, drills, and restoration—and tune out distractions.

FORM: Based on Brauman, one of the vital widespread errors he sees is extreme bottom mechanics—athletes letting their foot swing too far behind them throughout their stride. This slows down floor contact time and reduces stride effectivity. To appropriate this, he emphasizes front-side mechanics and correct posture drills, utilizing wall drills, wicket runs, and sled marches to bolster upright positioning and a quick, direct foot strike underneath the hips.

DRILLS: His go-to dash drills embrace the “A” skip, excessive knees, bounding, and wall switches—all designed to bolster rhythm, posture, and activation of key sprinting muscle groups. He implements these drills persistently in warm-ups and technical periods, regularly layering complexity primarily based on every athlete’s developmental stage.

RECOVERY: Brauman believes restoration is simply as essential because the exercise itself. His athletes bear common mushy tissue work, chilly water immersion, and structured restoration runs to handle fatigue. He additionally emphasizes sleep and individualized relaxation blocks primarily based on athlete readiness and cargo.

DYNAMIC VS RIGID TRAINING: Brauman defines dynamic coaching as a system that evolves with the athlete. He adapts programming primarily based on how they reply to stimulus—adjusting quantity, depth, or technical focus weekly. Inflexible coaching, in his view, locks athletes into cycles that will now not match their bodily or psychological state. His methodology stays versatile however intentional, with clear aims which might be measured and refined over time.

For coaches, his recommendation is equally clear: Don’t overcomplicate. Let efficiency lead. Set targets, however don’t let ego intrude with changes. Coaching ought to be dynamic, not inflexible.

Lance Brauman might not at all times search the highlight, however his athletes usually stay in it. His teaching has produced nationwide data, Olympic medals, and world titles. However greater than that, his affect has redefined how velocity is taught, measured, and mastered in American observe and discipline. The dash renaissance is right here—and Brauman’s fingerprints are throughout it.