Posted on: Thursday, June 10, 2004

Clinic improves on speed and quickness

Advertiser Staff

Maka Kahoano can't slow down.

Kahoano, who is entering his senior year at Mililani High, has enrolled in the next 10 Hawai'i Speed & Quickness sessions. He has participated in every clinic — more than three dozen in all — in the past three years.

"I keep learning more and more things," said Kahoano, Mililani's starting quarterback.

He enrolled in his first quickness clinic at the urging of his father, Emlen, a University of Hawai'i football teammate of clinic co-founder Rich Miano. "He's learning things I didn't learn until I was in college," Emlen said, "like plyometrics and footwork. By learning these techniques in high school, he's ahead of the game."

Last year, Maka ran 40 yards in 5.4 seconds. "I was very slow," he said. Now, he can cover the distance in 4.9 seconds.

"They taught me how to become faster by practicing different drills and using certain handstrides," Maka said. "I'm much faster and quicker."

The 10-session series will focus on the five disciplines measured by NFL scouts. During the first session, a participant will be electronically timed in the 40-yard dash, pro-agility shuttle and 60-yard shuttle. The participant also will be tested in the broad jump and vertical jump. The ensuing eight sessions will teach techniques to improve those performances. The participants will be tested in the five disciplines during the final session.

The fee for the 10-session series is $75 (or $10 per session). The series begins Saturday. Sessions are 10:30 a.m. to noon for ages 7 to 12 and 2 to 4 p.m. for those 13 and older.

Here's the schedule: June 12-13, 19-20; July 17, 18, 24, 25, 31; Aug. 1.

For details, call 739-5444 or go to: www.hawaiispeedandquickness.com.