Facebook Twitter Instagram
    ELITETRACK
    • Home
    • Articles
      • Endurance
      • Flexibility
      • Hurdles
      • Jumps
        • High Jump
        • Long Jump
        • Pole Vault
        • Triple Jump
      • Multi-Events
      • Periodization
      • Relays
      • Sports Science
        • Biomechanics
        • Coaching Science
        • Exercise Physiology
        • Muscle Dynamics
        • Nutrition
        • Restoration
        • Sport Psychology
      • Sprints
      • Strength Training
      • Throws
        • Discus
        • Hammer
        • Javelin
        • Shot Put
    • Blog
      • Mike Young’s Blog
      • Carl Valle’s Blog
      • John Evan’s Blog
      • Antonio Squillante’s Blog
      • Vern Gambetta’s Blog
      • John Grace’s Blog
      • Ryan Banta’s Blog
      • Guest Blog
    • Forums
    • Store
    • Log in
    ELITETRACK
    You are at:Home»Vern Gambetta's Blog»Speed 101 – The Essence of It

    Speed 101 – The Essence of It

    0
    By Vern Gambetta on January 18, 2021 Vern Gambetta's Blog

    This is my attempt to summarize the essence of sprinting. Nothing complicated, just the basics. No need to complicate.

    Let?s start with a generic definition of speed. Speed is the ability to move the body, or parts of the body through the largest range of motion in the least amount of time.

    The purpose of the start is to overcome inertia to put the body in optimum posture to accelerate to top speed or, if change of direction is required, to optimum speed.

    The bottom line is to be able to effectively get the body into postures that allow for maximum force production into the ground in the least amount of time. A long body line aligned through the hips with the head still and neutral is the desirable posture.

    In acceleration as the body advances forward the initial foot contact is behind the C of G and over the first steps the point of foot contact moves under the body. I think of it in the following pattern: PUSH/PUSH/PUSH/HIPS TALL

    Cyclic action of legs ? Step over ankle (Steps one, two & three), Step over Calf (Steps four five and six), Step over knee ( All subsequent steps)

    The arms play a big role in sprinting. At the start to help impart force back against the blocks and to maintain balance. As the sprint progresses the arms serve a balance function and secondary function to help with force production.

    Relaxation is a key to sprinting. Undue tension is detrimental. Running fast demands constant cycling of tension and relaxation.

    The legs cross each other in a reciprocal scissors action with the free (Swing Leg) foot crossing above the knee with each step.

    Step down from above. The closer the landing foot lands under C of G the better.

    Athletic Development - Defining the Field biomechanics Coach Education coaching functional training GAIN GAIN Professional Development Network General Training Skill Acquisition and Motor Learning Speed Development Sustained Excellence Systematic Sport Development
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

    Related Posts

    Focus on Function

    My Vision

    Doing It Better

    Comments are closed.

    Like Us On Facebook
    - Facebook Members WordPress Plugin
    Highest Rated Posts
    • A Review of 400m Training Methods 79 votes, average: 4.92 out of 579 votes, average: 4.92 out of 579 votes, average: 4.92 out of 579 votes, average: 4.92 out of 579 votes, average: 4.92 out of 5 (4.92 out of 5)
    • 2008 Olympics: Usain’s Insane 100m 67 votes, average: 4.96 out of 567 votes, average: 4.96 out of 567 votes, average: 4.96 out of 567 votes, average: 4.96 out of 567 votes, average: 4.96 out of 5 (4.96 out of 5)
    • Top 10 Myths of Sprinting Mechanics 66 votes, average: 4.74 out of 566 votes, average: 4.74 out of 566 votes, average: 4.74 out of 566 votes, average: 4.74 out of 566 votes, average: 4.74 out of 5 (4.74 out of 5)
    • 14 reasons why Jamaica is the Sprint Capitol of the World 59 votes, average: 4.85 out of 559 votes, average: 4.85 out of 559 votes, average: 4.85 out of 559 votes, average: 4.85 out of 559 votes, average: 4.85 out of 5 (4.85 out of 5)
    • 12 Reasons to Squat Year Round 58 votes, average: 4.86 out of 558 votes, average: 4.86 out of 558 votes, average: 4.86 out of 558 votes, average: 4.86 out of 558 votes, average: 4.86 out of 5 (4.86 out of 5)
    • 6 Reasons Why All Athletes Should Sprint 63 votes, average: 4.32 out of 563 votes, average: 4.32 out of 563 votes, average: 4.32 out of 563 votes, average: 4.32 out of 563 votes, average: 4.32 out of 5 (4.32 out of 5)
    • 4 Tips for Keeping up with Sport Science Research 65 votes, average: 4.03 out of 565 votes, average: 4.03 out of 565 votes, average: 4.03 out of 565 votes, average: 4.03 out of 565 votes, average: 4.03 out of 5 (4.03 out of 5)
    • Loren Seagrave’s thoughts on Absolute Strength 54 votes, average: 4.80 out of 554 votes, average: 4.80 out of 554 votes, average: 4.80 out of 554 votes, average: 4.80 out of 554 votes, average: 4.80 out of 5 (4.80 out of 5)
    • 6 Reasons Why Jamaicans Dominate the Sprints 50 votes, average: 4.78 out of 550 votes, average: 4.78 out of 550 votes, average: 4.78 out of 550 votes, average: 4.78 out of 550 votes, average: 4.78 out of 5 (4.78 out of 5)
    • Developing Endurance in Speed-Power Athletes 58 votes, average: 4.09 out of 558 votes, average: 4.09 out of 558 votes, average: 4.09 out of 558 votes, average: 4.09 out of 558 votes, average: 4.09 out of 5 (4.09 out of 5)
    Recent Topics
    • ?Where I can start in multievents trainig?
    • Josh Hurlebaus Masters Training Log
    • How and when do hamstring injuries occur?
    • How and when do hamstring injuries occur?
    • Which fitness equipment do you use to exercise?
    About

    ELITETRACK is one of the longest standing sport training & conditioning sites on the web. We feature over 250 articles and 1000s of blog posts from some of the most knowledgeable and experienced track & field coaches on the web.

    Recent Posts
    • Focus on Function
    • My Vision
    • Doing It Better
    • Get Beyond the Numbers
    • 3 Basic Running Principles
    Forum Activity
    • AvatarPablo25 on How and when do hamstring injuries occur?
    • AvatarJosh Hurlebaus on Josh Hurlebaus Masters Training Log
    • AvatarJosh Hurlebaus on Josh Hurlebaus Masters Training Log
    • AvatarJosh Hurlebaus on Josh Hurlebaus Masters Training Log
    • AvatarJosh Hurlebaus on Josh Hurlebaus Masters Training Log
    ELITETRACK by Human Performance Consulting, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 2021.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.