heel recovery at start

RB34 · June 13, 2010, 9:50pm

I would presume that high heel recovery is a result of an over-emphasis on pushing on your strides (i.e. over-emphasis on back-side mechanics). Just as I would prescribe for over-emphasized heel recovery (to the back-side) during max velocity - I would emphasis the concept of “lifting through” or “stepping over” during the initial acceleration phase. I would not mention “dragging the toe” as it may actually happen and result in poor performance or, worse, tripping out of the blocks.

Usually, if athletes have the proper mechanics in their Running A drills, their mechanics in initial acceleration will be adequate. But I do believe that many people take the execution of proper running A’s for granted and they are flawed.

I can remember the many years when I took my athletes to run in a series of meets around the Mt. Sac Relays and watching a mish-mash of horribly executed drills being performed in warm-up by college athletes. Not that good drill execution always carries over to running mechanics, but it was so bad I had to avert my eyes.

I agree, no need to drag toes etc - damn Powell video is setting a new trend. Relax-Step down.