Great set of shots!
This shot does not seem to demonstrate the bent arm that Charlie has mentioned for shortening the levers out of the blocks???
Look at Derek Adkins with the lead arm, elbow to the side. That’s the clearest example of what I’m referring to.
Ok, so this theory does not apply to the back arm?
The elbow is driven back with some bend but the forces involved are so great that it’s impossible not to have it extended pretty far, as you can see. However, by attempting to maintain a bend, you keep a stretch receptor response going that helps initiate the return from the end of the backwards travel.
Thank you for the explanation, I understand.
Would you suggest that Asafa could take a better first step with a better forward (and side) movement of the front (left) arm?
Did gay’s insane full extension perhaps make asafa vulnerable, he who is a good example of relaxation(most of the time) and rate?
I think you have applied Charlie’s quote brilliantly to that picture! It all makes sense to me.
Not at all. What you are seeing there is a result of tightening up under presure, knowing he needed to get out in front big-time. His reaction time is marginally slower than Tyson but his position is much slower to evolve, probably from a slight winding up effect that delayed his extention. Asafa simply is not as far into his start as Tyson is. That was the difference between how far out front he usually gets and how far he was out this time.
I suspect Tyson’s arm has gone too straigth, loosing him the elastic rebound that Asafa and some of the others get. Maybe that’s why his start is usually a bit behind after a few steps.
I think Gay’s arms are often very straight when he hits back no matter the phase of the race. The certainly extend beyond the 120 degrees elbow joint that some coaches suggest should be the maximum. Powell on the other hand keeps his angles much tighter in his shoulders and elbows. I guess this is reflected in Gay’s full hip, knee and ankle extension in relation to Powell, who doesn’t extend in these joints???
Cheers. Yes you are correct!
If you look on page one of this thread, there’s a great picture of Tyson from the side at full extention. the back arm is still in position to take advantage of the elastic rebound.
Is it just me or do Gay’s glutes look huge compared to last year?
Does that come from the arm angles though?
If so, could Asafa, through a better extension have the potential to go faster?
In lesser quality runners, I might think it comes from less activation of the mucsles in the glutes, but in Asafa who already has run 9.77??
Any thoughts?
I personally don’t believe there are any issues for Asafa beyond any training gains he might make. I think he runs beautifully at his best. a picture of fluidity and relaxation.
Relaxed indeed! He seemed to cruise in the preliminary rounds but I suggest he was actually running pretty fast in an extremely relaxed state.
If he could have found a happier medium in the final would he have run faster or won?
as I’ve said, I don’t think the problem is technical- he needs to be able to handle 4 rounds- that’s all!
Veronica Campbell of Jamaica in full stride, 100 semis