
Ian Jeffreys
Traditional speed and agility training often focuses on isolated physical qualities and measurable performance metrics, yet these approaches may fail to capture the true movement demands of sport. In this article, Ian Jeffreys introduces the concept of Gamespeed - a context-specific approach to movement training that prioritises the why behind athletic actions rather than simply the what. Using the analogy of analysing a game without seeing the ball, the author demonstrates how movement can only be understood within its tactical and environmental context. A reverse engineering framework is presented to help coaches identify the phases of play, key principles, sub-principles and movement tasks that underpin successful sporting performance before designing targeted physical preparation. The article also examines how organismal, task and environmental constraints interact to influence movement solutions, challenging practitioners to move beyond metric-driven assessments and isolated speed qualities. By developing both the breadth and depth of an athlete's gamespeed capabilities, coaches can create more adaptable, perceptive and effective performers whose movement skills transfer directly to the competitive environment.
Ian is a prolific coach, author and educator who consults extensively with several international sports organisations. He is President of the NSCA, Editor of the UKSCA's journal, Professional Strength and Conditioning, and is also on the Editorial Board for the NSCA's Strength and Conditioning Journal, and the Journal of Australian Strength and Conditioning.


