How To Sprint

Sprinting is really two distances, 100 and 200. We can extend it to about 400 because you are running at your maximum velocity that you can maintain. But that is where most of the movements are exaggerated, so strength is a huge issue when it comes to sprinting and it's a very important part of it, because it helps you to maintain correct form, but also it helps you to avoid injuries.

Another very important part of sprinting is starting. So, most races are lost on the blocks. So it's very important, those first 20-30 meters, you practice and practice and get the technique right because it is about the technique.

So every sprinter has his own position, his own measurements based on which leg is at the back, which leg is at the front. This is the ready position. So the set position, with the fingers behind the line, and then the final position just before they push off, body comes upright ready to explode down the track.

And this is the final push off of the sprinter, come up to the ready position, and then push in off, let me just show you that again, as he comes up, and go. There are three phases in sprinting. The first phase which is the explosion coming out of the blocks, then reaching maximum velocity, and then maintaining maximum velocity to the end.

Most athletes start losing it right at the end because of tiredness or because of lack of strength. Now, if we look at this sprinter who is running, his characteristics are slightly different so all the movements are exaggerated. So the arms are really pumping hard to get the legs to work faster, the foot is landing underneath the center of gravity so we're not over-striding and we're not breaking and therefore losing speed.

The body is upright. He's holding his breath because he's only going to be running between 10-25 seconds. So when it comes to sprinting, remember that strength is very important, but running technique is equally important.

And also the three phases of the starting, the midsection, and the end section as well. This VideoJug presentation discusses the importance of not only speed and strength, but also technique in sprinting. These various techniques are found within all three phases of a sprint race, including getting a good start off the blocks, increasing speed to your maximum velocity in the midsection of the race, and ending the sprint at full speed as you maintain your maximum velocity all the way to the finish line.