SPEED IS A SKILL TO BE LEARNED
Speed, like any other skill can be taught, and through proper
technique drills along with strengthening the muscles used in both
acceleration and top end speed, we can raise the Athletes level of
performance.
Below are some of the Athletes we work with, along with a World
Class Sprinter who we use as a model in which we compare our
Athletes.
Also, you will see some of the athletes we have had the privilege
to work with over the past 20 plus years
One of the biggest faults we find when first evaluating an athlete
is there initial foot contact is in front of their center of gravity
i.e. the belly button.
If you were to draw a line from the heel straight up, you will
find that the hips and shoulders are lagging far behind. This
braking effect will cause this athlete to slow down after every
stride, thus affecting their ability to perform at their best. Also
notice the distance between their knees and compare to the 'after'
picture and the model runner.
MODEL RUNNER
BEFORE
AFTER
Much improved, as you can see by comparing the
before and after pictures. Take note of the space between the knees
before and after. Also, the upper torso is positioned over the hips
with the shoulders in line - evidence they have reduced the braking
effect dramatically.
Lastly note the initial foot contact in all the
before and after pictures.
Ideal Initial Ground Contact, shoulders, chest, hips
all in line. Also notice there is no space between the knees - an
ideal position. As evidenced above in the Model Runner and the
before and after pictures.
To be able to run at optimum speed, we need to get
our athletes in correct biomechanical positions. One of the key
positions is a correct thigh block position.
As you can see, all the athletes pictured below in
the before pictures their lead thigh is below parallel which is not
the ideal position to be in if we want to apply a big force to the
ground to propel us down the track.
MODEL RUNNER
BEFORE
AFTER
As you can see, the athletes are now in the correct
position to apply a big force in a negative direction to propel
themselves down the track. This thigh block position is paramount in
our ability to achieve maximum running efficiency.
Our model runner and the before and after pictures
demonstrate both inefficient and ideal thigh block positions from
which we now can apply a big force against the ground in a negative
position.
Once we get the athletes in the correct thigh block
position as close to parallel as we can, we then can introduce what
I like to call the long lever, the lead leg fully extended and in
the correct position to put apply a negative force.
Newton's Third Law for every action there is an
equal and opposite reaction, you are able to see the big force being
the long leg traveling in a negative direction which propels our
athlete forward and down the track.
Lead leg in perfect position to propel themselves
down the track.
MODEL RUNNER
BEFORE
AFTER
Athletes are now in the proper position to apply the
big muscles i.e. glutes, hamstrings adductor magnus along with the
gastroc and soleus.This pulling action is what propels them down the
track. Also, the leg now acts as a long lever as opposed to the
before pictures.
The less time our athletes spend on the ground, the
more efficient their stride and hence the faster they can run.
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