The process of engaging in a comprehensive speed-training program must always begin with an evaluation of the athlete’s current physical state, as well as a discussion of training history. Understanding the entire context of the training history will ultimately determine how the coach will proceed with speed training. Making uninformed assumptions on an athlete’s training will only result in problems that can sabotage the training process at a later date. A discussion of training history with the athlete or previous coaches can be useful in determining what has been done in the past and what needs to be done for future training. A review of an athlete’s training diary provides a useful means of assessing the workloads, performances and progressions followed by an athlete. If no training diary was kept, conversations with the athlete must suffi ce in order to accumulate valuable information on which to develop a training plan. Formal testing can be undertaken to determine current levels of performance. However, care must be taken not to overevaluate the athlete. Although numerous tests are available to evaluate every aspect of performance, not all of these tests may be relevant to work with a particular athlete. Thus, it is important to keep the number of tests to a minimum. It does not matter how strong or explosive athletes are in isolated tests if they are not producing the results in their sport of choice. When evaluating an athlete for the purpose of determining training requirements for speed development, the key qualities to look for are postural integrity, limb mechanics, general strength, relaxation, acceleration abilities and elastic qualities.