It’s not what to coach, it’s what to leave alone. Often I hear cues that are most likely descriptive factors, meaning hints to athletes of what to do when in reality they have no real ability to execute such a task. I remember when Richard Quick presented in Burlington at a local clinic before his passing someone asked a question of what drills or cues he used to fix certain movements. His response was I don’t think you coach that. That concept rings true as many of the issues we see in sprinting are purely spinal reflexes or visual happenings, not conscious activities. We could get into many debates with what is going on at high speeds, but the realities are what the athlete can do is highly dictated by newton’s laws, stretch reflexes, general strength, genetic talents, body structure, race relaxation, and arm action.One example is the stretch reflex of the hips causing the foot to pull back, this is visually happening but at contact the motion becomes a vertical squatting action. A mix or horizontal and vertical forces exist, not much we can do to improve those from training besides the last options from 30 years ago. I do think the improvements in sports medicine will allow more athletes to stay healthier but at the same time soft tissue therapy is still going through the same cycle of trends as sports performance.
