Link to Carl Lewis' start

guys heres a pdf file to cl’s start as discussed by DP

http://www.athleticscoaching.ca/UserFiles/File/Sport%20Science/Biomechanics/Sprints%20&%20Endurance%20Events/Sprints/NSA%20Photosequence%20Carl%20Lewis%20200m%20start.pdf

Thanks X-Man.

Only thing I’d like to comment on. for those who think the foot should remain cocked throughout the stride, please note that, while the foot is cocked pre-landing, there is complete extension of the foot at the end of the support phase of each stride. great set of shots

Vittori mentions that at the start, Carl’s left arm shows a tendency to open out instead of moving forward.

Charlie, on the other hand, has always drilled a lead elbow to bend outwards with the view to moving the hand along a straight line.

Yes, it’s definitely more efficient (faster movement of the lead hand)

Charlie, are you suggesting that the foot should only be cocked just prior to landing rather than the full stride ?.

Hi Phil…This is what Charlie says in CFTS…hope it helps:

When stepping over and down The foot must be pre-tensed. This is accomplished by cocking the big toe up and pointing the ball of the foot towards the ground. This action will activate the dorsiflexers but I’m not suggesting pulling the whole foot up! There is also some confusion about when to prepare the foot for ground contact. One “Guru” has even suggested leaving the foot pre-tensed at all times! Of course, this would have the unfortunate effect of eliminating the final extension around the ankle at take off. The best time for foot preparation is just as the foot is passing over the support knee. . Any attempt to “toe up” earlier may result in a limitation of automatic ankle extension at the end of ground contact- “Toe up” any later and it may be too late to effect an active landing.
The toe-up position is required PRE-GROUND-CONTACT to create elastic conditions in the foot. The ball of the foot is moving down just prior to foot strike as the knee straightens. At GC the foot turns over and the toe extends naturally.