Coaching and Care of Athletes

STARTING definite sequence of movement after leaving the holes. The ambi– dextrous individual, on the other hand, is very likely to show a mixed pattern of movement in coming out of the holes, and this definitely interferes with the co-ordination of the first few strides after the start has been made. If a man shows a preference for advancing the right foot rather than the left the coach should not seek to change this. It is probable that some coaches may take exception to the advice I have just given, at any rate if it is proposed to apply it to their hurdlers. It is certainly a moot point, for it has been found in many cases that a hurdler who starts normally with his left foot in the front hole and his right foot in the back, which is in accordance with his natural dominant, has trouble in reaching the take-off for the first flight of hurdles in the necessary number of strides. Coaches have cured this defect by changing the man's position in the holes-that is to say, the position of the feet has been reversed. The question the coach now has to settle is whether the compensation brought about by this adjustment makes up for the interference in co-ordination in achieving the first few strides, which undoubtedly occurs when a man with a left dominant is made to assume the position of a man with a right dominant. Each coach must decide for himself whether the loss of time which comes about through lack of co-ordination in the first strides represents a lesser factpr than the inconvenience the athlete may have had in getting to the right point for taking off for the first flight of hurdles from what is to him a natural position. Before dealing with actual starting positions let us consider some scientific matters relating to starting. In the first place, it is scientifically true to say that there is a high correlation between the ability of the sprinter and his reaction time. This is obviously true, since many of the adjustments which the sprinter must make are of a voluntary kind, and the more quickly and efficiently he can make those adjustments the greater will be the advantage which he enjoys. I have spoken already of the necessity for the coach to test the reflex action of all his athletes; and of his runners in particular. Again, there is proof that the sprinter with a shorter reflex time has a distinct advantage over the slow starter. Further, the corollary is obvious, for a fast start must be a contributory factor to a fast race. Let us, then, agree to the proposition that a fast start does make for a fast race, and let us consider some of the 167