We all want to play just that little bit faster; be it a left hand, a right foot!

An exercise that I’ve applied is from John Blackwell, a great drummer, he’s played with many artist, two that I know of are Prince and Justin Timberlake.

 On his DVD Technique, groove and showmanship, he imparts the way he improve his foot speed was by using the Markus Williams exercise. (here comings the text)

It is in 7/8, its split between the left and right hand with an alternating right foot.  Start with the Snare and Bass drum for now and then start moving it around the kit.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 (counting)
L * R * L * * (Hands)
* B * B * B B (bass drum)
The second part is exactly the same, the hand strokes start with the right hand this time.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 (counting)
R * L * R * * (Hands)
* B * B * B B (bass drum)

A favourite variation of this is to have the right hand playing along with the bass drum and the left hand play all the hand notes.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 (counting)
* R * R * R R (right hand)
L * L * L * * (left)
* B * B * B B (bass drum)

 Remember start at a slow pace and then slow it down some more and when your feeling better at playing it try it faster.