How to slow down...Les Spellman

Les Spellman explains how athletes can effectively decelerate by distributing braking force over multiple steps.

Most athletes are taught how to accelerate. Far fewer are taught how to slow down. In this practical session from the 2026 ALTIS Speed Summit, Les Spellman explains why athletes often get into trouble when they try to brake, decelerate, and change direction all in a single step. Instead, effective deceleration begins with one objective: hit the brakes first. By distributing force over multiple steps, athletes can better control their momentum, reduce unnecessary loading, and put themselves in a stronger position to accelerate out of the cut. It's a simple coaching point, but one that changes how you think about deceleration. This clip is taken from Acceleration in Practice, one of two Applied Performance practical sessions included in the 2026 ALTIS Speed Summit Digital Package, alongside Designing the Warm-Up with Stuart McMillan. The 2026 ALTIS Speed Summit Digital Package includes: • Every recorded keynote presentation • All three Questions Over Answers discussions • All four Structured Exchanges • The Roundtable Dinner conversation • Two Applied Performance practical sessions • Session Companion PDFs • Lifetime, on-demand access If you couldn't join us in San Diego, this is your opportunity to experience the conversations that defined the 2026 ALTIS Speed Summit and work through them at your own pace. -------------------------- Access now for just $149. ➡️ loom.ly/F0rHdTg --- As always, a huge thanks to our awesome sponsors for making this event happen. Output Sports Bridge Athletics Kratos Fly Fitness Hytro Joe Nimble TeamBuildr Feldspar Momentous VALD Performance AK PWR-Cord USR