Coach Paul Williams' Speed Training For Athletes

     Coach Paul Williams is a multi-dimensional trainer/athlete with 20+ years of experience designing and directing performance enhancement programs for high-caliber athletes.  He specializes in functional speed and movement development with further concentrations in performance analysis, specific-sport conditioning, building mental muscle and issues concerning asthmatic athletes.  His successful training system is built on discipline, intensity, and adherence to strict form.

     The Coach's athletic background is rooted in basketball and the demanding sport of track & field.  His talent (sprints, relays, long jump) and work ethic brought him success in college, but a serious knee injury forced him to hang up his competitive spikes.   While searching for a new athletic challenge, he discovered the martial arts. Traditional styles of the martial arts demand tremendous self-discipline -- mind and body --  a perfect choice for The Coach.  He became skilled in several karate forms (Wado Ryu, Aikido, Ju Jitsu) and has held the rank of Black Belt in the Wado Ryu style since 1985.  The intense, training he received under Sensei Dennis Hill, allowed him to regain functional capacity in his knee and enabled him to build better breath control.  Realizing the value of his martial arts education, The Coach integrated many of its principles and techniques into his performance training system.

Despite being unable to continue as a competitive track & field athlete, The Coach did not leave the sport behind.  He became a USATF Nationally Certified Level 1 track & field coach, a USATF Nationally Certified track official and continues to serve in many capacities, including track director, at local and regional meets.

     Coach Williams is a uniquely qualified, motivating trainer.  In addition to having endured and overcome injuries inherent to a dedicated participation in sports, he is also severely asthmatic.  But, rather than allow chronic breathing difficulties to defeat him, The Coach embraces the challenge that his illness represents.

~ His personal mission ~

Promote asthma education

Teach safe training and performance techniques to competitive asthmatic athletes

Selected highlights from The Coach's community work

2007
In conjunction with sponsors Mizuno USA and Guardsman Wealth Management System, The Coach created and directed a free speed clinic for Newtown community children.

2002 - 2006

Acted as the Athletic & Fitness Consultant to the Newtown Wellness Program, which served Sarasota's African-American community.  Among his many contributions to this organization were:

• Physical fitness testing and research into the "state-of-fitness" of local elementary-aged children
• Development of P.E. class supplementation
• Assisted in the development of an in-school children's exercise video
• Early identification of gifted young athletes
• Direction of adult fitness classes (strength training, flexibility and cardio workouts)

2005

• As a volunteer middle distance coach with Riverview High School (Sarasota, FL) he led a group of his athletes to compete at the District, Regional and State High School Track Meets

2004

• Developed and taught a jump rope skills program to elementary-aged children (primarily non-athletes) through the Sarasota County Parks & Recreation summer sessions

2000

• Acted as athletes' liaison to the American Olympic Decathlon Team while it trained in Sarasota County, at the Gene Whipp Sports Center ( www.genewhippsportscenter.org ).
• Led a local high school track team to their most successful season --  EVER!