principles for block starts

Is there any basic principles for starting from blocks that would work more or less for everybody? Reason I ask is Im just starting to do block starts and I dont want to do all the mistakes under the roof so if you have some advices feel free to share them.

Charlie
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6/25/2002 : 1:28:06 PM

Cues for beginner starting
1: hands straight down from shoulders, shoulder width apart- to allow for the highest possible center of gravity for easier transition.
2: front foot just behind “plum line” from the point of the hip to the ground. This is usually accomplished by using a spacing of two footlengths back from the line for the front foot and one footlength between the front and back block (the average foot is 1/2 the length of the shin)
3: in set the hips should be slightly higher than the shoulders with the back straight.
4: the head should be in line with the back to make the transition during the acceleration phase easier. All the athlete has to worry about is keeping the head in line- not up or down.