Dominic Young’s cheek-to-cheek training technique to help Rooster hit top speed

Already one of the fastest men in the NRL, Dom Young knows he can move even faster. Watch the exclusive video as the Roosters flyer invites you into the training sessions to reveal how he trains for speed.

More cheek is needed for his peak.

That’s what Sydney Roosters star Dom Young has been working on over the summer as the popular winger seeks to become the fastest player in the NRL next season.

Young is the latest to join the growing stable of renowned sprint guru Roger Fabri that has previously included James Tedesco, Bronson Xerri and Josh Addo-Carr.

And Fabri has already warned NRL rivals that the English international certainly has more gears in his arsenal, taking Young under his wing three times a week during the off-season.

Tyson Jackson trained alongside Young and Fabri to get a closer look at how NRL players get faster.

Dom Young on the attack for the Roosters.

THE LESSON

The 23-year-old starts his sessions like most, with a warm up, but Fabri continuously will break down the importance of each particular movement.

“It’s critically important that while we are prepping we’re trying to make the movement look as much like the sprint mechanics as possible,” Fabri said.

Through their time together, Young has even picked up a few activations he partakes in before a game to ensure optimal performance.

One of the small mechanisms Young has tried to engrave every time he runs is the movement of his arms.

Fabri highlights when his student uses the “cheek to cheek” method, he has the best chance of reaching top speed.

When Young runs, fans will notice him and make contact with his face cheek, along with his buttocks to help guide through the air and develop more speed.

Comparing running technique to a computer, Fabri explained what he is doing with Young is building software to help him best function in the field.

“Depending on how you put your software into the computer, will be how well you perform,” Fabri told Young during their session.

“If you take this lightly and don’t do it correctly, you’re actually running a computer with a virus in it.”

One of Fabri’s biggest challenges with Young is reaching certain aspects of his running which have hindered him reaching top speed.

On occasion, Fabri even had to ask Young to slow down to show “more of the drill”, with his speed sometimes making it hard to catch a glimpse of technique.

“That’s ingrained software for 20-years, (this is) how hard it is to change it,” Fabri said.

Young is also set to begin a coaching career in the sprint game, with younger runners getting a chance to train with the Roosters winger at clinics during his time off.

(L to R): Tyson Jackson, Dominic Young listen to Roger Fabri during a training session. Picture Thomas Lisson

TOP ROOSTER

The normally shy Young doesn’t hesitate when asked to rate the Roosters’ top speedsters.

Not even his own skipper, James Tedesco, can come close to catching him, although Young has a high opinion of highly-rated rookie Robert Toia.

With Joseph Manu and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii gone in the centres, Toia is widely tipped to be in Trent Robinson’s starting line-up in round one.

When asked about the speed of his teammates and which players compete with him at the club, Young said: “Nah. I’m a humble guy. But not at the Roosters.

“I think I have got that top spot there”.

Young was one of the last to rejoin the squad for pre-season earlier this month.

“Them boys are probably all going to be ahead of me when I get in so I have to keep up with them when I get back,” Young said.

“I think it always does (bring out the best) it keeps you honest.

“You have to train hard because you wanna keep your spot, because you know the players underneath you are chomping at the bit to get that. I think healthy competition is always good.”

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LEADERSHIP

He might only be 22 years old, but an avalanche of experience exiting the club after last season has opened the door for players like Young to fill in the leadership void.

Over 1000 games worth of experience will be missing when the Roosters begin next year.

Young, who was one of the league’s top tryscorers in 2024, has vowed to be the next man his younger teammates can look to when things need to be done on the field.

He will be part of a backline that also includes rugby convert Mark Nawaqanitawase and young winger Junior Pauga.

“Why not?” Young said.

“I am probably more of a leader with my actions more than my words, that’s the kind of style I have. I have had a good few years here now, I know how the game works.

“I’m pretty comfortable on the week to week side of it, so if I can help any of the young players in that side of it, then why not.”

UNION RUMOURS

Young recently spent some time back home in England where rumours of a code switch arose.

It was reported in early November that Young could potentially look to follow in the footsteps of former teammate Suaalii and make a move to rugby union.

But the Rooster winger confirmed nothing has ever been considered seriously.

“There were a few rumours lately, but I haven’t really had any talks or anything like that,” he said.

Dominic Young stretches out during a sprint training session with coach Roger Fabri. Picture Thomas Lisson

“I have considered it in the past, and have had some talks with a couple of clubs before but I came out here.

“It’s not even like that I want to play union, it’s just an option that I have considered.”

Now back in Australia, and solely focused on the Roosters, Young has been trying to continue to adapt to the Australian lifestyle, especially during the summer.

“I have adopted the Aussie lifestyle, going to the beach, getting a coffee, playing basketball, a bit of paddle with my mates, really anything out and about in the sun.”

Originally published as Dominic Young’s cheek-to-cheek training technique to help Rooster hit top speed