The Start Doctor
Wanna Fix Your Start? See the Start Doctor
In the sport of Track and Field, the start of a short sprint can set the table for success throughout the rest of the race. The top speed (max velocity) attained in the race is of the utmost importance, but the skill of executing and managing various aspects during the start and initial acceleration, not only impacts performance during the early portion of the race but also can put the athlete in position to maximize the quality and effectiveness of the top speed. In sports other than track and field where speed is important, it is also vitally important to be able to effectively execute the initial steps and apply speed in accordance with the demands of that particular sport. In track and field, sprinters may significantly underachieve when they fail to skillfully utilize the starting blocks. There must be an effective teaching strategy because using starting blocks can provide quite a challenge for athletes of all stages of maturity and ability levels.
Please Understand
When starting and accelerating from a variety of positions there are various body positions that the athlete must successfully manage. When starting with blocks, with the legs loading and pushing off against the block pedals, it presents a different and typically more difficult dynamic. The vast majority of starting blocks feature pedals that adjust down to 45 degrees for the lowest adjustment. Forty-five degrees is fine, even recommended by many, provided that the athlete can adequately manage bodyweight to position and balance in the "Set" position in a manner that will produce an explosively effective start that will efficiently blend into the rest of the race. A problem is that loading the legs against pedals angled at 45 degrees and greater, presents a significant bodyweight, body positioning, and "body balance" challenge for many athletes, as compared to starting without blocks.
Exciting New Product
I created a design for a starting block with two patents pending that not only adjusts down lower than any other starting blocks I found on the market, but that also includes more adjustment options than the other blocks as well. This allows athletes more angle combinations to experiment with and to master. In other words, these blocks will allow an even more gradual transition into the greater pedal angles, than what I described above in my three-part series. My design has two patents pending and the blocks are called Level One Starting Blocks (pictured to the left if on your desktop or laptop - pictured above if on your phone). For many developmental sprinters, some of the negative effects of the challenges I'm alluding to are demonstrated in this brief video, and this video shows the first learning drill I suggest using with Level One Blocks. I believe that the low pedal angles along with utilizing the three-point starting position are key elements in helping the athlete learn how to position and balance the body properly when in the "set" position when using blocks. I explain this in my Fundamental Aspects blog.
When Will Level One Blocks be Available?
The plan is for Level One Blocks to be available to the general public by this summer. If you want to be notified when and where you may get Level One Blocks then add your email below, check the box, and click on the "Subscribe" Button. If you want to consider me bringing Start Doctor Training to your area, then contact me at leveloneathletics@gmail.com. I live in Lexington, South CaroIina, and I'm willing to travel up to an hour and a half or so on the weekends to train individuals and groups. Visit my Start Doctor Training page for a more detailed description of my training method.
My Blogs
Most of the blogs are less than a 5-minute read. The exception is my The Start is Actually the First Three Steps blog, which is a 9-minute read. In regard to sports that feature jumping, pivoting, and changes of direction, I suggest first reading my Care for the Knees blog, as it includes valuable information about the possible susceptibility to non-contact ACL Tears and how possibly to help prevent them. It may also be tempting to go toward the bottom of my suggested order list and read my Preparing Athletes for Sports That Feature Starting, Stopping, and Changes of Direction blog, but hopefully you'll realize how the blogs listed above it contribute to helping put the athlete in position to start, stop and change direction with maximal effectiveness. That aside, my suggestion is to read the blogs in the order you see below. You'll notice that I have numerous blogs listed before the blogs that describe the particular starting positions. This is intentional, in order to give you a good overall view before considering the starting positions. You can access the blogs using the "Blog" button at the top of this page, then click on each blog that you want to read. You will probably have to scroll down to the "Start is Three Steps" blog. If viewing this on your phone, click on the three lines in the search box at the top of the page, then click on "Blog". I welcome your comments, but I admit, this being a new site, I'm not sure how easy it is to post a comment. I plan to check and respond periodically. Probably best to email me at leveloneathletics@gmail.com for a quicker response.
Now Posted
Start Doctor Training
Some Fundamental Aspects of Sprinting
The Start is Actually the First Three Steps!
The Initial Acceleration Beyond the Start and Pre-Max Velocity
Rotational and Linear Aspects of Sprinting
Effective Recruitment and Coordination of Key Muscle Groups
Developing a Good Standing Start
The Three-Point and Four-Point Starts
Max Velocity (Top Speed) in a Short Sprint
Physical Development and Resistance Training for Sprinters
Sample Early Season Training for Your Sprint - Jump - Hurdle Groups
Running the 40-Yard Dash
Care for the Knees During Sports That Involve Jumping, Pivoting, and Cutting
Preparing athletes for Sports That Feature Starting, Stopping, and Changes of Direction
Applying Sprinting Skills and Speed to the Football Field
Speed Training and Basketball
Speed Training and Soccer
Contact me at leveloneathletics@gmail.com for other topics you would like me to address
