Coaching and Care of Athletes

SPRINTING I do not think that the wide foot-spread start should be used by any except very tall men with long legs, who perhaps require wider foot-spacing to avoid a cramped starting position. When the wide foot-spread start is used the front hole should be dug from r3 ins. to r4ins. behind the scratch-line, and the rear hole approximately 41 ins. behind the scratch-line. Having decided which type of start he shall use and seen the man dig his holes properly, the coach must thep teach the athlete the procedure to be followed when the starter gives the order "Get on your marks." Upon receiving this order the sprinter with a right dominant should place his right foot upon the firm ground between the holes; then he should put his left foot slowly and care– fully into the front hole, bend down and place his fingers on the scratch-line, and finally put his right foot in the rear hole and sink down on to his right knee. The weight should be resting on the left knee and the thumbs and fingers. The arms should be per– fectly straight from the shoulders, and never flexed at the elbows. They must be far enough apa·rt to ensure free knee action, but usually the hands are no farther apart than the width of the shoulders. It is while he is on the mark that the athlete should be taught to assume a well-balanced, comfortable position. What the athlete does upon receiving the order "Get set" depends on the type of start he is going to use. In all three cases, howev:er, the procedure is to allow the weight of the body to go slightly forward on to the fingers and front foot before the knee of the rear leg is raised from the track. In both the Bullet Start and the regular medium foot-spread start the knee of the rear leg is raised some 8 ins. clear of the track surface, but, of course, in the Bullet Start the elevation of the hips is slightly higher. In the wide foot-spread start the knee of the rear leg is usually raised so~e ro ins. above the track surface. A brief mention has been made already of where the athlete should look. Dr Ayres recommends a point some ro yds. ahead of him. Lawson Robertson, on the other hand, says that the eyes should be fixed at a point 20 ft. or 30 ft. in front of the man in the set position. Another point already mentioned is that the sprinter should breathe normally while he is waiting on his mark, should complete a normal inspiration when he is given the order "Get set," and thereafter should hold his breath until the starter's gun is fired. In relation to the spot on which the sprinter should direct his gaze while waiting for the pistol, do not r8r