What is the difference between early and fast? Let’s first set the scene and context for our argument…
Sports is all about creating time and space and managing the pace.
So really what we’re saying is your pace should depend on the amount of space available in any given moment. The more space we have = the faster we move helps. Whereas, the less space we have = the faster we move hurts.
Let’s look at at this simple exercise -
SCENARIO A: I got out of bed early and went to school.
SCENARIO B: I got out of bed fast and went to school.
What do these scenarios imply? What kind of picture do they paint in your head?
SCENARIO A paints some sort of timing picture. “I picture someone waking up before their alarm clock and having extra time before they leave,” is a common response for that.
SCENARIO B paints an up-tempo rushed scenario. “I picture over sleeping and then having to race out the door” is a common response for that.
Those two explanations are defining “early” and “fast” the same – If A is “before the alarm clock” than, B is “after the alarm clock”.
SCENARIO A is meant to imply “when” you removed yourself from bed.
SCENARIO B is meant to imply “how” you removed yourself from bed.
Technically you can wake up “early” and get out of bed “fast” at the same time. It’s no different in sports.
We train all of our athletes to compete early and fast. However, when teaching, early is first and fast is second. In this context, the difference is early = “when” and fast = “how”.
For example, if we are dodging down the alley and the plan is to get the ball thru X early than the dodger has freedom to spy the crease, hit the roll back and freedom to make a play but if nothing is open then get the ball thru X. In this case, “when” means exactly that – as soon as possible for the ball carrier. In the same situation, fast means in 2 sec. or an unrealistic speed that creates the mind to get loud and rush! When an athlete has the intellectual understanding of the game plan but has freedom to make mistakes they will play with an internal HUSH and the ability to compete against the external RUSH! What is the point of moving the ball so fast that the ball carrier misses out on opportunities?
Your greatness forms when you’re training with mental “when” and physical “how”!
Respect, Inspire, Support!
Jimmy