Learning Proper Form

[Pioneer]

@robin1

Thanks for your comments, but could you elaborate a bit on the above? The thread you mention suggests to focus on moving the elbows down instead of back, so how would an emphasis on vertical arm movement help increase horizontal leg movement?

I think it relates more to the overall arm action rather than just the down swing part but of the two I think the arm swing up, more specifically, has more of an impact on the extension of the opposite leg. Still it is probably more of a case of the overall action than the isolation of any specific part of the cycle. If you have not checked out that tech. thread, do yourself a favor and do so. Again, I think correct posture permits this extension to occur and without it the complete extension isn’t likely to occur.

[Flash]

@robin1

Thanks for your comments, but could you elaborate a bit on the above? The thread you mention suggests to focus on moving the elbows down instead of back, so how would an emphasis on vertical arm movement help increase horizontal leg movement?

Again, this goes back to exactly what I was talking about above. It’s not that the backward action is unimportant, it’s that it happens so quickly the sprinter shouldn’t feel it. If the sprinter feels a significant backward motion he’s probably exaggerating it which is slowing his stride frequency. I made a similar mistake with knee lift and stepping over with the swing leg.

I think if the coach sees that the backward motion is insufficient he might want to cue the athlete, but I would do so by telling the sprinter to drive down harder rather than back. Just my 2 cents.