CoachUp Training Q&A

Most boys that age need two things: (1) strength & power training and (2) acceleration technique practice.
Strength training should focus on compound movements, both bodyweight and loaded. Squats, lunges, pushups, pullups, hops and jumps, and medicine ball throws will build the strength he needs both to accelerate more effectively and to be a well-rounded athlete.
Then acceleration technique should follow a progression through summer and off-season:

• scramble/pushup starts from the ground
• standing start hill sprints
• 2pt crouch start hill sprints
• 3pt start hill sprints
• 2pt crouch start accelerations
• 3pt start accelerations
• lots of reps out of blocks

Don't rush the progressions -- look for consistent angles, lots of power, and a bit of ease and smoothness. By getting stronger and rehearsing the optimal acceleration positions, he could well pick up much more than 0.5 seconds!