Toe drag out the blocks

[sonicboom]

I know somewhere in this forum it was discussed before but I can't find where. Asafa popularized the toe drag coming out of blocks. I remember the conversation being that it allowed him (as a taller sprinter) to increase stride rate in the beginning which is normally where taller sprinters struggle. In Bolt's 9.58 run he did the same thing. When lined up with Gay, (who was on stride 2 when Bolt was on his 3rd), Bolt seemd to already created a bit of distance.

I just would like to hear some feedback on this method. I wouldn't bet the family farm on it because Powell uses it and Gay seems to have his number now. To each his own I guess.

[rice773]

I noticed it in the CCTV clip posted yesterday. It reminded me of a previous discussion about how Powell's rear foot doesn't touch the track when in the blocks. The foot placement in the block is probably related to the low toe ground clearance you are referring to.

[rainy.here]

The reason for the low foot clearance out of the blocks is simply due to that being the path taken by the foot is much shorter than if the hamstrings pull it up. This low foot only lasts for a few steps.

[sonicboom]

The reason for the low foot clearance out of the blocks is simply due to that being the path taken by the foot is much shorter than if the hamstrings pull it up. This low foot only lasts for a few steps.

Ok, but at an elite level, which is only my assumption, nothing is random. It is usually the result of training and presumed to be intentional. If that is the path taken by the foot, then why do it? To what end? Also, I am a bit confused as to how the hamstring pulls the foot up...can you elaborate. I assumed there was a pushing motion but the quads and hips were doing a bit of lifting and that point in recovery.

[Stikki]

As Rainy said, it's simply shorter to drag the foot to the next contact point rather than bring it through in an arc.

At what level you teach this, if at all, is up for debate. The high school kids I coach have much greater gains to be made through basic start mechanics and power development than they do dragging their toe. Like Charlie said, get the seconds first then worry about the hundredths.

[sonicboom]

As Rainy said, it's simply shorter to drag the foot to the next contact point rather than bring it through in an arc.

At what level you teach this, if at all, is up for debate. The high school kids I coach have much greater gains to be made through basic start mechanics and power development than they do dragging their toe. Like Charlie said, get the seconds first then worry about the hundredths.

I see. What you said is essentially the same as what was previously stated but we all don't understand the same or at the same pace (i.e.- me).
Thanks

[microman]

As Rainy said, it's simply shorter to drag the foot to the next contact point rather than bring it through in an arc.

At what level you teach this, if at all, is up for debate. The high school kids I coach have much greater gains to be made through basic start mechanics and power development than they do dragging their toe. Like Charlie said, get the seconds first then worry about the hundredths.

Hello everyone, am a newbie. Just wanted to say thank you at "Stikki" for the diagram and explanation, very precise and easy to understand, have always had some difficulty in understanding other coaches saying stuff like 'low heel recovery', 'running on hot coals' etc, but not this explanation.

[sady]

The foot drag is during the second step. The pic is the first step

[Rich Hand]

Ok, but at an elite level, which is only my assumption, nothing is random. It is usually the result of training and presumed to be intentional. If that is the path taken by the foot, then why do it? To what end? Also, I am a bit confused as to how the hamstring pulls the foot up...can you elaborate. I assumed there was a pushing motion but the quads and hips were doing a bit of lifting and that point in recovery.

with hip flexion (back leg out of blocks) the knee also flexes (with hams) to lift the foot.

[sady]

The hamstring bends the knee, it does not extend it