Does agility training work?

Speaking as a former big lumbering guy, and the father of another, I can assure you that "Yes" speed and agility training does/can payoff in real, sustainable gains in speed and quickness.

I like the way one of the top pitching coaches we have met puts it -- "Everyone has a genetic maximum they can attain. The goal is to get as close as possible to your genetic max."

My son has trained with a top area track coach in the winters (when possible), and that training has helped him cut more than a second off his 60 time. Is he "fast"? No. Is he faster than he was? Yes. And his track coach believes my 6'2", 220# wide-body has the potential to run in the 6.9-7.2 range. Respectable for a P/1B.

But just like everything else in life, you have to sustain the training. Use it or lose it is certainly the watchword of speed/agility training. Stop training, and the hard won gains are quickly lost.

My .02, for what it's worth.

The benefit of speed and agility training is for the player to optimize their speed and quickness. You can't buy speed and quickness. But you can buy training to optimize your potential.

Agree with you that you can work on things at home or with school team at no extra cost to you. I'm just seeing people go to three or four diff. instructors for diff skills and parents are paying hundreds a month to help marginal players get better. They think if the go for a FEW lessons their son will show great improvement in a short amt. of time. I guess I'm a firm believer youmust have some natural talent as an athlete first.

It works in basketball. Best money I ever spent.