Track and Field
Basic Sprinting
Tracey Kobayashi
50 Phelan Ave, NGYM
San Francisco, CA 94112
(415)452-7311
tkobayas@ccsf.edu
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Updated by Tracey 4 September 2001
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We begin our journey with basic sprint mechanics. Sprinting well is important for not only many track and field events, but also other sports. For example, former SF State and USA Decathlon coach, Harry Marra, was one of the first cross-over track coaches, acting as a consultant for the San Francisco Giants during a time when track coaches possessed the background in sports science that many older baseball coaches lacked. For an overview of sprint biomechanics, visit Advantage Athletics, where you can look at photo sequences and drills. We will do some of these drills, or similar ones, in class.
When you watch track and field on television, the announcers often talk you through what seems a pretty detailed analysis of sprint technique in an attempt to hold your attention during the lull between heats and somehow add to the mystique of stuff that is really pretty simple. All of these people you see (and with all of the dorky up close and personal stories, you actually end up seeing very little) are still subject to the basic laws of mechanics. Yes! We are back to good old Ike again...and I don't mean Turner! As you scroll through those sequences at Advantage Athletics, think about the forces in action as the sprinter goes through her stride. Specifically, think in terms of the laws of inertia and action/reaction. How do things like where her foot lands in relation to her center of mass influence her sprint performance?
Let's talk a little leverage. When you want a lever to move quickly, it's better if it's shorter, because you need to use less force to move it along - this is the most succinct way I can describe this concept - and you therefore waste less of your energy in the process. Okay, so knowing this, as well as Newton's laws, riddle me this...why do you think the foot comes up under the hamstring and stays under the knee on the way down during the drills? Why not just reach that puppy as far out in front of you as you can?
Track & Field page |
Intro
Sprinting |
Long Jump |
High Jump
Javelin