Sprint Striding Technique
Reprinted from:
Trackcoach.com
Sprint striding is that part of the sprint exhibited
by full flight running action. It is the form of running the
athlete achieves after accelerating from a standing or crouch
start. To develop proper sprint striding technique, sprint
technique runs of 40-60 meters from a standing start should be
used. The speed should not be at the sprinters maximum level,
and the coach should view the technique from approximately 20 to 30
meters away in various positions to view the action clearly
and holistically. The following technique should be
emphasized:
1. Posture:
-
Tall posture and up on balls of feet.
-
Head level.
-
Shoulders down, not hunched.
-
Relaxation in the face and shoulders.
2. Arms:
The arms play a considerable role in coordinating
the movements in sprinting. Arms intiate the pattern and
control the speed of the legs. The following should be
emphasized:
-
Arms moving forward and backward only, not across
the body.
-
Hands moving to the center line of the body at
shoulder height and back to the hip.
-
Elbow angel is approximately 90 degrees where the
hand is forward and slightly larger on the back swing.
-
Arms move at the shoulder joint and shoulders remain
perpendicular to the direction of travel.
-
Hands held in a relaxed, natural
position.
3. Legs:
The legs obviously play a major role in sprinting,
the leg action should occur under the body with no emphasis on
reaching to achieve greater stride length. The following
should be emphasized:
-
Thigh lift through full range of motion.
-
Tight and active heel recovery following
push-off.
-
Foot plants under the center of mass.
-
Active plant with lower leg. Downward and
backward claw with thigh and lower leg.
-
Acceleration of the thigh on both upward and
downward movements.
Source: USA Track & Field Level 1
Curriculum
