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 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. ​

​

Validation

​

For those that would like to question the importance that I'm placing on learning proper use of starting blocks and how difficult it is to teach, check out this brief video by Olympic Gold Medalist Maurice Greene. Greene is now a high school track coach. Greene appears to be referencing developmental athletes like the ones he works directly with, however, if you follow track and field closely, you'll learn that many at the most elite level have expressed difficulty with mastering the start, ie, Noah Lyles.

​

Start Doctor Training Teaching Progression

​

As is typical, various drills and exercises are done to help support fundamentals of running in general because as I mentioned above, the max velocity is the most important aspect. My blogs detail how I help athletes to develop an optimal balance of "Projection", "Switching" (limb exchange), and "Reactivity" into their strides. Throughout this, however, there is repetitious practice accelerating from different positions. First without blocks, then progressing to blocks. Again, read my blogs for specifics.

​​​

Level One Starting Blocks

​

The vast number of blocks on the market have 45 degrees as the lowest pedal angle option. Having the front pedal at 45 degrees and the rear pedal at a slightly greater angle than 45 degrees is a great combination to use, provided that the athlete can effectively manage the positioning, bodyweight and body balance challenges that come with loading the legs against block pedals of 45 degrees and greater. What ends up being the case is that many athletes are distracted from developing effective starts because of things they do while overly pre-occupied with those challenges.   

​

I designed Level One Starting Blocks to feature pedal angles of 20, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60 degrees. Beginning with the front pedal at 20 degrees and the rear pedal at 30-35 degrees, then gradually increasing the pedal angles, can help the athletes to more easily adjust to the demands of loading the legs against starting block pedals and avoid these types of bad habits. The blocks should be available for purchase during the Fall. You may leave your email on the form below if you would like to be notified when Level One Blocks are available. Please check the little box and click "Subscribe".
​​​

Who Am I

 

You can check out my brief Bio. More than anything, like most coaches, I learned most of what I know from others. I've chosen to pay special attention to the development of effective starts that put the athlete in position to maximize success during the rest of the race. I'm offering the blogs on this site as a resource for those that want to check them out. Those that would like my opinion on things, have questions about my blogs, want help with their athlete(s), etc..., may contact me at leveloneathletics@gmail.com.

 

Start Doctor Speed Training

 

I live in Lexington, South Carolina, and besides remote training being a possibility, I am willing to drive in the ballpark of 1 1/2 hours to a session. I welcome coaches and parents that would like for me to watch film of their athletes and communicate my opinions to them. For athletes that are on a team and/or have a trainer of some type, I believe it is important for everyone to be on the same page, so I will seek for there to be communication with the others before prescribing specific workouts.​​ "Speed Training" like anything else, puts particular stresses on the body, and recovery is an important consideration. For those that just want work on starts, I am available to come for 1-3 sessions to primarily focus on that. You may contact me with the email included in the section above.

 

Important Consideration

 

Athletes that are on a team or in a program that addresses overall conditioning and want a limited number of sessions with me to help improve running technique and speed, then that can work. What I think is a bad idea is to not give conditioning its due attention and want to come to me for a few sessions to improve speed, and then repetitiously zoom all over the court/field, while ignoring the fact that they are not in shape. Injuries happen that way. In track typically muscle strains and pulls may occur and for sports that feature changes of direction, stopping, starting, jumping, landing, etc..., more serious injuries at some point may happen, ie, knee injuries. Check out this video to see the types of things that can be a part of a good conditioning program for sports that feature changes of direction, stopping, and starting, etc... In addition, there shpould also be the recognition that executing the fundamental aspects of those sports still should be primary, with the goal being to successfully incorporate the improved body control and speed into their game. I address this in my blogs.

​​​

My Blogs

​

I provide very detailed information in my blogs. For a look at my basic overall outlook, I would suggest first checking out my Fundamental Aspects and Start Doctor Training blogs. Otherwise, the list of my blogs is here. Again, don't forget to use the form below to be notified when Level One Blocks will be available. Thanks for your time.