Which should come first in training, amplitudes or speed?

Which should come first in training, amplitudes or speed?

• A. Speed first, then amplitudes
• B. Both together
• C. No emphasis
• D. Amplitudes first, then speed

Answer: (D)

In motor skill training, establish accurate, well-controlled movements across the full range before worrying about how fast you can move. Training the amplitude first means you practice the entire range you’ll need, with precise trajectories and proper timing. This builds a solid motor pattern and tuning of the sensory feedback that guides the action. Once that broad, accurate pattern is reliable, you then add speed. Increasing velocity on a pattern that’s already stabilized helps you preserve accuracy as you become faster, rather than letting speed come first and driving errors or compensations. The idea is to master the movement’s reach and control first, then polish how quickly you can execute it. Training both together or emphasizing speed before amplitude tends to undermine learning because speed can outpace the development of accurate motor control, leading to persistent errors that are hard to correct.

In motor skill training, establish accurate, well-controlled movements across the full range before worrying about how fast you can move. Training the amplitude first means you practice the entire range you’ll need, with precise trajectories and proper timing. This builds a solid motor pattern and tuning of the sensory feedback that guides the action.

Once that broad, accurate pattern is reliable, you then add speed. Increasing velocity on a pattern that’s already stabilized helps you preserve accuracy as you become faster, rather than letting speed come first and driving errors or compensations. The idea is to master the movement’s reach and control first, then polish how quickly you can execute it.

Training both together or emphasizing speed before amplitude tends to undermine learning because speed can outpace the development of accurate motor control, leading to persistent errors that are hard to correct.