Start Doctor Training

Start Doctor Training is based upon moving effectively and efficiently. In regard to sprinting short distances, max velocity (top speed) is the primary consideration, but as I've said repeatedly, a good start and initial acceleration set up the maximizing of top speed. A 100-meter dash race model is taught and adjusted and applied to other sprint distances and scenarios.

Various types of conditioning and physical preparation are vital elements as they not only go hand in hand with speed development, but injury prevention as well. Patience and restraint are important elements as an over preoccupation with moving explosively, gaining top speed, etc..., can lead to injury without the sufficient support of conditioning of the appropriate degrees and intensities. Derek Hansen's description of the High-Low Training approach is very much in alignment with what I believe in and follow.

As described in my Fundamental Aspects blog, a vital element is learning to coordinate actions to position and balance the body to effectively and efficiently start and accelerate. This should be done at different intensities in a variety of scenarios, ie; from stationary positions, from being on the move, from being in a forward leaning posture vs one that is more upright, includes changing direction, etc... At the end of the day though, it is necessary for the athletes to thoroughly know how to be effective from stationary or close to stationary positions that relate to their sport(s). Examples include, a sprinter in the sport of track and field that must know how to stay within what is allowed by the rules, in regard to being stationary, and a basketball player with a ball in his/her hands who has not yet dribbled, ie, triple threat position, must not violate rules concerning the pivot foot.

When speed training for sports other than track and field, it should be understood that executing fundamentals of the sport should always be a primary concern, and the goal should be for an improvement in effective movement to be ingrained to establish a new norm.

As stated above, conditioning and various types of physical conditioning should be an important part of speed training. A basketball player that becomes impressed with his/her newfound speed that suddenly now wants to repeatedly go coast to coast at full speed needs to be concerned with can his/her joints withstand the repeated stress of planting the foot and shooting lay ups from a full speed dash up the court. Strength training of various types, jump training, pliometrics, etc..., not to mention a good warm up and reps working up to that intensity would be suggestions. I also have blogs related to training for athletes in sports that include jumping, changes of direction, stopping, pivoting, etc..., as this type of training can reduce the incidences of ACL tears.

For sprinters in track and field, to help the athletes to more naturally carry over the skills they learned without using blocks, I like to start with the front pedal down at the lowest angle and have the rear pedal a bit of a greater angle, as in this video. This is why I consider it to be mandatory to have blocks available that adjust down to lower than 45 degrees. I also feel it is imperative to have athletes to compete with training partners to help them develop their abilities, and I strongly suggest using some type of video analysis to monitor progress. Obviously, this requires that the coach(es) be able to effectively assess performances. After the athlete learns how to be effective using lower pedal angles then the angles can be increased, with the goal being to determine what angles work best for the given athlete. Level One Starting Blocks feature pedal angles of 20, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60 degrees, and again, leave your email on the form on the home page if you want to know when Level One Blocks are available.

Other Blocks for Start Doctor Training

Newton Starting Blocks - Just don't get the ones that say "Fixed Angle". Initially I suggest having the front block all the way down to the lowest setting (35 degrees), and the rear block at the next lowest setting (45 degrees)

Cantabrian Starting Blocks - Offers the same angle adjustments as the Newton Blocks

Gill Fusion Blocks - Initially I suggest having the front block all the way down to the lowest setting (30 degrees), and the rear block at the next lowest setting (40 degrees)

These are blocks that I personally bought for the athletes I coach in school and that I'll bring to training sessions. The Level One Blocks seen on the Home Page is the prototype set and is with the manufacturer presently, so I won't have it to bring to sessions. I am seeking discount/promo codes that can be used to purchase blocks and other equipment that can be used to help develop sprinters. Check back regularly as I will be reaching out daily to secure the discounts.  

Knowledge That I've Received

Like most coaches, I learned the vast majority of what I know from others, and I put my own spin on things as I see fit. For what it's worth here's a brief Bio. In my blogs I quote and refer to a lot of the top experts out there. If you are serious about coaching, you realize that the learning process is ongoing. I do, however, feel it is important to have a sense of what is most important for your situation. As a Physical Education Teacher and Track Coach, my experience is with athletes up through high school. I consider it to be an art as it pertains to my role in helping those under my charge to develop effectively. I've seen three-year-olds where it is pretty obvious that they have the ability to develop into something pretty special, but again, what is the teacher's/coach's/parent's role? I learn all the time from experts that have an extremely deep understanding of; training methods, what elite performances should look like, etc..., but what remains is whether or not the athletes are maximizing performances.

Experience has taught me that there is a lot of value in doing a lot of watching to assess what is in front of you. In doing so often you'll see things that are already being executed very well, along with other things that are being done within what the athlete is presently capable of, but in the future, maturation may take him/her to the next level. An example is the "knee lift motor pattern" as it pertains to powerful vertical force production into the track. In my opinion, drills are fine in their proper place and if all concerned keep things in the proper perspective. For example, A and B Skips, high knee drills, etc..., can be good for strengthening and awakening certain muscles and actions, but when actually sprinting and when the limbs are moving really fast, coaches need to recognize when the athletes in front of them are being most effective. The more advanced ones may be further along as far as the knee lift pattern is concerned, where trying to overly focus on that with some others may slow them down.

In regard to the 100-meter dash at the elite level, where the room for error is very slim, in my mind, it becomes a matter of successfully addressing the intricacies that go into maximizing block clearance and the early portions of the race, in a manner that best sets up an effective attainment and use of max velocity. Check out the rest of my website to see if what I'm describing makes sense to you, and feel free to contact me at leveloneathletics@gmail.com if you want.