40 yard dash

[Charlie_Francis]

@twhite03

What are the technical cues that you have used that allow the athlete to execute without shifting to fore-brain activity?

When I think of pushing it isn’t from the mindset of grinding or trying to muscle the action, rather I am referring to ensuring complete yet quick piston like strides. Another emphasis is violent arm swings focusing on the backward motion rather than forwards. Nothing is to be forced or fabricated (something like 5 steps to 10 yards which is absurd) but I do think that each athlete should achieve maximal extension coming out of the start to run their best 40.

From personal experience the starts that feel the fastest tend to be slower and have too many steps. On the other hand the fastest runs are characterized by complete and productive ground contacts that may feel slower but yield faster times.

First of all, runs that are relaxed and automatic always SEEM to be slower because you eliminate a lot of background muscular “noise” and it is easier to perceive each action as if time has been altered and slowed down. Talk to any top sprinter and this is a perceptual theme you will hear over and over.
USEFUL Extension is a function of power and not thought.