Hi all,
I’m new around here but heard its the best place to learn about all things sprinting. So, I’d like to know where/how one might learn proper form. I looked in the CF.com store and it looks like everything Charlie sales is based around training for sprinting, as opposed to learning the technique/mechanics of proper sprinting.
Also, I’ve heard of Charlie’s “Training for Speed” book but I don’t see it in his store. I’d like to know if/where I could find a copy and whether it goes over technique? How thoroughly?
Training for speed is now known as the Charlie Francis Training System eBook (CFTS) you can get it from the store and it should be the first thing you buy…
The reason you wan to read that book (and Speed Trap) first, is that it gives you the foundation to really understand what is going on here. Then you can start asking question that flow with the principles Charles uses. Otherwise, it’ll feel like you are running into a brick wall. It really is important if you want to understand what his system is all about. Welcome.
Check your PM, the link will be a good starting point. CF is quite good as well on the sprint technique. Just do search here and you will probably find the answers your looking for.
Yes there is stuff on sprinting form. Another thing to check out if you want to understand the biomechanics of running is Bosch and Klump’s Running or the DVD (www.runningdvd.com) but i’m I think it leaves a lot out with regards to sprining technique that Charlie discusses in depth across all of his products.
Err, I haven’t recieved a PM yet, you mean my email??
I’m checkin out the BK method, but I’ve heard its “bad” from the POSE people… I’m guessing they’re just plain wrong? As for the CFTS e-book, I don’t see it in the store.
What do you guys use as your “guide” or “model” for sprinting?(As in, who do you listen to?)
Also, how should one go about changing their form once they know what to aim for? I’m planning to just video tape myself sprinting and focus on changing whats not right but do you guys think drills have a place? Or should I be aiming to fix things at low-speed and then hope it carries over? Sorry for so many questions, its just as soon as one is answered I have ten more! I’m confused!
I’ve often thought that that particular thread was one of the best ever on this site and kudos go(as they did back then) to both CF for providing the material in the first place(of course) and THEONE for compiling them.
Please note that there are additional tech. points, again compiled by THEONE, at the end of that thread on page 3, I believe.
I consider those posts as fundamental reference material and excellent advice for any sprint coach.
And I’d have to agree with you now that I’ve read through it.(only once though, I’ll have to read through it a good few more times!) Any other really good threads/articles(on this forum or not) you suggest? Other books/videos?
TopCat: How in the world did you get to that page lol?!
EDIT: Just thought I’d add, seems like a great deal(the CTFS), only $20! I’m definately ordering ASAP!
I’m not sure if it’s here on the new forum or possibly in the archives available here called something like “The Classics” (posted/compiled by Pete, I think). Some excellent material in that thread if you can find it. You might have to search a bit.
Also, CF has available on site (if you don’t already own them) two separate forum reviews which each possess some of the best threads to appear on this site over the years.
Well, I found The Classics(http://www.charliefrancis.com/community/showthread.php?t=357&highlight=classics) but as someone already said in another thread, the links don’t work!
I guess I’ll read it and see what I can learn but I sure wish the links worked, looks like a truly epic thread.
Now if someone could just compose ALL the mechanics related info from Charlie into one super-mega-bonus text hinthint
I have a done a lot of research in this field. I could answer your question in either of two ways - scientific or practical. Most studies on GRF shows that sprinting is about generating high force developments over short coupling times. However, this perspective may be oversimplified, as Charlie has pointed out to me before. Pushing back down on the track makes perfect sense physiologically. That’s what Tom Tellez taught, working on hip extension and driving back down on the track . However, there are opponents to teaching technique this way and they can be justified in their criticism. My perspective is fundamentally that your technique should not be guided by some model of how to sprint, but rather what enables you to train and stay injury free. If you can train and stay injury free then you’re most likely to maximise your talents.
I remember back in 1999 looking at the data on Matt Shirvington. He generated exceptional GRF out of blocks. His coach Micheal Khemal used to teach a similar starting pattern to Tellez, driving back down on the track. It did help him run 10.03 at 19, however now at 28, he is unable to adopt that same starting technique as it breaks down the body
Still another post/thread was by(IIRC) DMA where he did a nice job summarizing many of CF’s program and development guidelines though, unfortunately, I can’t remember the title of the thread, etc. Maybe he can confirm this and direct you to that thread. Check out the sticky threads permananently posted at the top of the various sections as they are considered by some to be very relevant, useful.
Sharmer: Practical, I guess? I’m not writing a paper or doing research for fun, I just want the best damn sprint mechanics I can get! When I first found the Mach drills, I thought I had the golden calf of mechanics… From what I’ve been reading lately, the Mach drills are quite the opposite and can actually reinforce negative movement patterns(!). What I can’t seem to figure out is how I can apply what I’m learning(what the optimal mechanics are) to my own sprinting. I know I sound crazy, but since you can’t sprint in place or at a low speed(since it would be a completely different movement pattern, from what I can tell atleast), it seems my only hope is to video tape my sprinting at full speed-view it and see whats not right-then keep in mind what wasn’t right and try to fix it by volitionally performing the action(s) that wasn’t right. What do you guys think? Are there any drills that will/can improve technique?
I’m not sure if the Mach drills themselves are a problem but rather, as explained by CF, when others have attempted to interpret and adjust the original execution which can lead to possible problems. CF has agreed, though, that a b-drill could possibly lead to overstriding problems if not performed properly.
The Charlie on sprinting thread is the best collection of posts or article on sprinting technique I’ve personally witnessed either here or elsewhere. I have always felt his description of max velocity mechanics best described the reality of the technique. While others have tried to overemphasize the negative footspeed movement as a clawing action, CF points out one should simply step over and down. The backwards action will occur naturally. In order, as he further points out, for one to attain the sensation of clawing or pulling back the track underneath the body, one would we need to be a low hip position-not a good position to be in in max. velocity. In speaking with other coaches, and a few world class athletes, such a description as proposed by CF best captures the actual feeling and reality of the movement, imho.
Pioneer: Quick question, do you feel any of the Mach drills can improve technique? If so, which? Thanks, and any additional commentary on the subject of drills would be great.
