Bud Winters

Expert Discussion Advanced Sprint Training
1

Does anyone know any of Bud Winter’s drills and techniques he used or know where to buy any of his books. Any info on Bud Winters?

2

Unfortunately our Bud Winter material is out-of-print, as I would think most, if not all, of his are. You might try the libraries as well as T&FN.

In addition, John Carlos, Lee Evans and Tommie Smith were influenced greatly from his work. You might want to search through the net using these names.

Looking at footage from their camp, the drills that are often discussed on this site display strong resemblance to what they did. Circuits, bounding, rotary running, etc.

Charlie, and others familiar with that era, could probably provide a good deal more info.

3

The two books are great…but they were out of print since 1981!

4

Training at in-season:
Mo: 10 x 100 m (11 s.)
Tu: 5 x 200 m (23 s.)
We: 2-3 x 60 m (max), 1 x 320 m (max)
Th: only starts
Fr: rest
Sa: competition

No weights and plyo.

5

what page is this on?

6

This is from Germany Track and field news, 15. Feb. 1972, num. 7.

7

I have Bud Winter’s So You Want to be a Sprinter? (1956) which was photocopied for me a few years ago by a friend who won it as a prize at his school sports (an enlightened school).

It concludes with a January through June schedule. As a sample, here’s the plan for April (Friday is rest, Saturday is competition):

Mon

  1. Warm up (jog 3 laps, pick up tempo last 50 yards)
  2. Stretching
  3. Windsprint warm-up (3 runs: slow/medium/fast)
  4. Form work - correct faults from last comp
  5. 6-8 gun starts (correct faults)
  6. 6-8 laps long windsprints (gradually pick up speed to the middle of the straightaway then gradually slow down. Walk or jog the turn)
  7. Baton work or pick-ups

Tue

  1. Warm up
  2. Stretch
  3. windsprint warm up
  4. Form work - stress a. hi knees b. arm reach c. loose jaw, loose hands
  5. Starts (timed) 20-30-40 yards
  6. 4x220 (fast - float - fast) or 3x220 stepdown (25-24-23 for 47 secs quarter miler))
  7. Short windsprints 1 lap (short recovery 25 yard sprints)

Wed

  1. Warm up
  2. Stretch
  3. Windsprint warm up
  4. Form work - stress a. high knees b foreleg reach c arm action
  5. 2x60 yds timed (10 mins rec)
  6. 1x160 yards (rest 15 mins)
  7. 1x300
  8. Baton work or pick-ups

Thu

  1. Warm up
  2. Stretch
  3. Windsprint warm up
  4. 3-4 starts
  5. Tape breaking
  6. Play day a. Games b. hobby events
  7. Baton work
  8. Relay 3x110
8

The 1956 book was updated in 1973, basically the same program only a few differences, what was written on the board is very close, however, this program was for the “sprint type”, ie; Tommie Smith and John Carlos, Lee Evans was trained on an entirely different program emphasizing strength. Bud Winter believed that a speed type sprinter needed more speed and a strength type, ala Evans needed more strength, Winters often said, “speed kills an endurance type sprinter”.

Winter’s sprinters did many drills, some are used today, high knee, foreleg reach, ankle bounces and bounding, and when in top shape his sprinters would do 30 yard flys for time, run @ 90%, fast and relaxed, always stressing relaxation, loose jaw, no hunched shoulders, etc.

I could go on, if you need to know more please ask, I really studied Bud Winter and have met John Carlos who claimed if he came back he could kick my butt, ha! I personally rank Bud Winter right up there among the best sprint coaches

9

Thanks for the info hallafmr

I was curious about what the (fast-float-fast) means and what distance the windsprint warm-up is run over? Also did Winters do any drills that specifically were to teach relaxation or did he just use cues to get the sprinter to relax while they ran and did drills or both?

10

As a follow-up to Terminator’s questions, I know Winter recommended high knees - horizontal speed 2mph - along the straight with walk turn recovery x 2-3 laps. Any comments from the board on this type of work for an 11.9 100m girl. I’m thinking of giving 2-3x80m after circuits/weights x2 per week during GPP and x1 during SPP.

As for relaxation, BW was keen on a flying 30 drill which I could post some info on but hallafmr maybe has more info straight from the horse’s mouth.

Windsprints during w/u were run over the length of the straight (walk turn recovery). First run pick up pace to half speed at 50m mark and float out. Second run pick up speed to three-quarters at half-way point. Third run ‘cut loose to almost full speed’ at 50m then float out.

11

Bud mentions numerous times that he never asked his sprinters to run at 100% but rather at 7/8 effort. As he felt the trying to run at 100% created unnecessary tension, which was alleviated when they were told to run at 7/8.

12

As for relaxation, BW was keen on a flying 30 drill which I could post some info on but hallafmr maybe has more info straight from the horse’s mouth.

After the Fall cross country program which BW had ALL sprinters on, they would commence sprint training, easy at first and every month dropping the interval times, when in top shape the sprinters as part of the warm-up would do 30 yard flys and get timed, they were told to run at 7/8’s speed as BW believed that not only would this be faster than 100% but would teach them to relax while sprinting. The sprinters naturally were dubious of this and had to be shown, so BW would have the sprinters time each other, and after awhile BW was proven correct when their times came down. He often said, “you can’t fool the watch”. He would watch the sprinters do this drill and he was looking for what he called the brook trout look, jaw dropped, no clenching of hands or hunching of shoulders, and no wrinkles on the forehead indicating tension.