How to Train for Speed: Advanced Drills and Timed Exercises

For a memory athlete, there is a clear distinction between being able to memorize information and being able to do it quickly. While a solid foundation in accuracy is essential, speed is what separates a casual practitioner from a competitive champion. The ability to encode and recall information under a strict time limit is a skill that must be trained with the same discipline as any physical sport.

This guide provides a regimen of advanced drills and timed exercises to help you transition from an accurate memorizer to a fast memory athlete.

Part 1: Numbers Drills

Numbers are a cornerstone of memory sports. These drills will help you increase your speed and efficiency with your Major or PAO system.

The “30-Second Dash”: Use a digital tool to generate a string of random numbers. Time yourself to see how many digits you can memorize in exactly 30 seconds. The goal is to push your brain to work faster and to get comfortable with the pressure of a deadline.
The “Half-Second Flash”: Set a digital flash tool to show you a 2- or 3-digit number for a fraction of a second (e.g., 500ms). Your goal is to see the number, instantly create the mnemonic image, and move on. This trains your brain to make the encoding process automatic.
The “Recall-Only” Drill: Memorize a long string of numbers at a normal pace. Then, after a short break, give yourself a very tight time limit to recall the entire string perfectly. This trains your brain to retrieve information instantly without hesitation.

Part 2: Cards Drills

Memorizing a deck of cards is the most famous memory feat. These drills will help you cut down your time.

The “One-Deck Speed Run”: This is the quintessential drill for any aspiring memory athlete. Time yourself on how quickly you can memorize and recall a single deck of cards. Your goal should be to beat your personal best every time. Consistency and a constant drive to go faster are key.
The “Half-Deck Split”: Take a single deck and split it into two halves. Memorize each half separately. This trains your mind to start and stop the memorization process quickly, which is crucial for handling multiple-deck events.
The “No-Mistake” Recall: Before you try to go fast, train for flawless recall. Practice recalling a deck of cards until you can do it with 100% accuracy every single time. Speed comes from eliminating hesitation and the “second-guessing” that comes from a lack of confidence.

Part 3: General Speed Drills

These drills can be applied to any discipline and are designed to increase your overall mental speed.

The “Visualization Speed Run”: Close your eyes and practice mentally creating your mnemonic images as quickly as possible without a timer. Don’t worry about memorizing anything; just practice the mental action of creating vivid, bizarre images at a fast pace.
The “Memory Palace Sprint”: Mentally “sprint” through your Memory Palace. The goal is to run through it as quickly as possible, “touching” each locus along the way. This trains your mind to move through your palace at a high rate of speed, which is crucial for fast memorization.
The “Random Word” Generator: Use a random word generator to practice quickly creating an image for each word. The goal is to build your ability to create a mnemonic image on the fly, which is a key skill for many competitive events.

Part 4: The Mindset of Speed

Speed training is a mental game. You must adopt a specific mindset to succeed.

Embrace Imperfection: When you first start training for speed, you will make mistakes. The goal is not to be flawless, but to override the hesitation that comes with wanting to be perfect. The faster you go, the more you will learn about your own mental limits.
“Just Do It” Mentality: Don’t hesitate. Don’t second-guess. When you see the information, your mind should instantly create the image and place it. This requires a “just do it” mentality that is built through repetition.
Focus on the Process, Not the Result: In training, focus on the process of going faster. The flawless recall will come with time and consistency. Don’t let a bad run or a mistake discourage you; it is a learning opportunity.

Conclusion

Speed is not an innate talent; it is a skill that can be developed and refined through disciplined, timed practice. The journey from an accurate memorizer to a fast memory athlete is a rewarding one. By pushing past your mental comfort zone and training with a structured regimen of advanced drills, you will transform your mind and unlock a new level of performance.

Common FAQ

1. What’s a good starting time for a deck of cards?

A good starting goal for a beginner is to memorize a deck of cards in under 5 minutes. An elite time is typically under 30 seconds.

2. Should I focus on accuracy or speed first?

Always focus on accuracy first. There is no point in being fast if you can’t recall the information correctly. Once your accuracy is near 100%, then you can begin to add speed.

3. What’s the best digital tool for speed training?

Platforms like Memory League are excellent for this, as they provide timed drills for all the major events and allow you to compete against other athletes.

4. How often should I train for speed?

Dedicate at least 15-20 minutes of your daily practice session to timed drills. Consistency is more important than the length of the session.

5. How do I build confidence for speed training?

Confidence comes from consistent, successful reps. The more you practice, the more your brain will trust your ability to perform under pressure.

6. Is it normal to get a mental block during a speed run?

Yes. Mental blocks are common, but they are often a sign of a weakness in your mnemonic system or a lack of confidence. The more you drill, the less they will happen.

7. Should I use different drills for different events?

Yes. While general speed drills are great, you should have specific drills for each event you plan to compete in.

8. What’s the biggest difference between a champion and an amateur?

The biggest difference is the time spent on deliberate, focused, timed practice. A champion has made their mnemonic system an automatic, effortless process.

9. Can I improve my speed without a digital timer?

Yes. You can use a stopwatch on your phone. The important part is that you are consistently tracking your time and trying to beat your personal best.

10. What’s the most important tip for speed?

The most important tip is to make your mnemonic images as vivid and memorable as possible. A powerful image is a quick image.