Another pad position question

The Forums Ask Us.
1

Ill keep it short
The Facts:

  1. I am left-handed, if you asked me to perform a pistol squat I would do it with my left leg

2.when I jump for a vertical leap, I plant the right foot, and jump with the left, when I go for a 1 leg VJ, I jump with my right leg.

  1. When doing 3pt starts, the left leg is the pusher, the right is the rear leg, and my right hand is on the track. this position feels both powerful and comfortable.

The problems:

  1. When putting the weaker right leg on the front pad, I feel comfortable but very weak, like i’m not even pushing it hard no matter how hard I try, in the set position i’m like " Oh crap, something tells me im not gonna drive hard out of here"

  2. Tried to put my stronger left leg on front pad today and the push felt very powerful although the position itself felt weird. BUT, i lost the 3rd step (right leg strike) meaning I almost fell, lol.

So should I start getting used to pushing out with the left leg, or stay with the right ?
Whats more natural for me ?honesty, the right leg. but when I go up to the set position I pray to god HOW AM I GOING TO PUSH THIS.

2

anyone ? please ? this is very important

3

Are your block angles all the way down? Are they even adjustable? Fixed angle blocks are shit.

4

yea they are original Dima Sports blocks… ti dont put em the way down though… i put em in the middle or even steeper… why ?

5

Most studies show it to be better to have as low block angles as possible. That is probably part of your problem.

6

cool, i just figured the steep angle sets u up to a low start and proper mechanics… its not the case obviously.

What about the pad position, should I use my dominant pistol squat leg on front or my weaker right leg on front ?

Also can i bend my elbows in the set position to create a more comfortable blast off angle ?

7

Go with what feels comfortable and let’s you start properly.

Also can i bend my elbows in the set position to create a more comfortable blast off angle ?

You don’t need to have them completely locked, but I don’t know if it’s a good idea to have much bend in them. Look at what the pros are doing.

8

Here are maurice and ato starting angles… see how maurice bends hes elbows ?
btw thats a “bullet” start, right ?

9

http://youtube.com/watch?v=QbN5FjRaK6E

Powell at 1:01

Some bend, not straight arms but not excessive either.

I don’t think it’s going to make much of a difference as long as you get good block clearance.

10

should i think about where my eyes and head are at all or just play dumb and think " keep your head down and get the hell away from the blocks as fast as possible"

sometimes the coach where i train will comment me if my eyes arent looking forward at the drive phase…

11

Head and neck in line with back. There are a variety of “eye” positions and minor head adjustments that have been successful. Some look up, some look down, most are somewhere in between/neutral.

12

ah, see, my head isnt in line with the back, its real down… but thats natural to me so i hope its not that serious

13

just wanted to let you all know that I did great today and had the best accel session ever.