Manifestations of speed
Speed comes in different forms and each of these forms can be specifically trained and improved.
Quickness of action
Speed of action is the ability to quickly absorb information in complex situations under time pressure, recognise the essentials and anticipate them correctly. It is also important to choose the best option from several possible courses of action in the shortest possible time in order to then act with great speed and precision (e.g. initiating and executing a counter-attack, goalkeeper's defensive gesture).
Speed of reaction
Responsiveness is the psychophysical ability to react quickly (and correctly) to signals. A distinction is made between simple reactions (fixed action in response to a signal, e.g. starting shot in a 100m race) and complex reactions (different reactions are required depending on the signal, e.g. defence reaction in volleyball).
Ability to accelerate
Acceleration ability comprises the ability to optimally accelerate your own body or a piece of equipment (e.g. throw in javelin throwing, start phase in sprinting). It is influenced by explosive power and technique.
Movement and action speed
Speed of movement and action means the ability to perform cyclical/repetitive (e.g. running, cadence when cycling) or acyclical/one-off actions (e.g. throwing motion) at high speed.
Speed endurance
Speed endurance describes the ability to maintain maximum speed without losing speed or to repeatedly perform a fast reaction at maximum speed (e.g. performing a high reaction speed several times in succession or maintaining action speed over a longer period of time).