r/MadeMeSmile • u/[deleted] • 1d ago

Wholesome Moments Fastest kid alive!

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u/oliviertail 1d ago

Hi track coach! I have a stupid question… is there a key element in the average human’s “sprint technique” that always makes you go ‘that’s wrong’. For example, I was a tennis coach once and for me its always the grip. First thing everyone does is pick up the racket and they hold it wrong from start to finish. Sorry for my terrible English I hope that was clear enough.

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u/Carpe-Bananum 1d ago

That is not a stupid question at all.

Everyone runs differently. Not everyone is fast, but everyone can get faster.

There's no one key element, but there are lots of common problems. Hips are inflexible (that was me); One leg is longer than the other; The athlete is a woman who just happens to have large breasts.

My personal favorite was a 400m hurdler who had no sense of rhythm. You have to count 14 or 15 steps between hurdles or you will crash. Dude's in his 30s now and still can't dance. But he can hurdle!

In short, getting your athletes to run "knee-up, toe-up" and keep arms from crossing the body as much as possible is the basic goal.

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u/ancienttree4567 1d ago

It’s amazing how these little nuances can turn into big gains once they’re dialed in.

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u/Carpe-Bananum 1d ago

My old coach always said “Talent will get you miles.  Technique will get you inches.”