- The Stoiclete
- Posts
- What is Lateral Quickness and How Can You Improve It?
What is Lateral Quickness and How Can You Improve It?
Moving side to side is just as important as moving forward. Whether it’s dodging a tackle, defending in basketball, or adjusting to an opponent’s strike, lateral quickness gives you an edge. Find out how to get faster in every direction.
Paco Raven
March 19th, 2025
Definition of First Step Quickness
First-step quickness is the ability to explosively accelerate in any direction immediately after recognizing a stimulus. It combines reaction speed, power, and movement efficiency.
Table of Contents
What First Step Quickness Actually Is
Picture a sprinter waiting for the starting gun. The difference between winning and losing is often in the first step. In sports, it’s not just about moving fast—it’s about reacting and exploding instantly. Whether you’re chasing a loose ball, cutting past a defender, or dodging a punch, your ability to initiate movement before your opponent makes all the difference.
Mechanics of First Step Quickness
Reaction time – Recognizing and processing a stimulus quickly.
Explosiveness – Generating enough force in the first push-off to gain momentum.
Body positioning – Maintaining the right angles to maximize acceleration.
Elastic recoil – Using stored energy efficiently for rapid movement.