Sprint Starting Block Settings

When sprint athletes start using starting blocks the initial problem they and coaches experience is determining the correct settings for the front and rear pads.

Rule of thumb

A simple approach is to place the knee of the rear leg opposite the instep of the front foot and then to move forward with the hands until the body weight is directly over the hands and the arms are vertical. In addition, many books recommend that the ideal angles of the legs in the "set" position in a sprint start using starting blocks are:

Leading knee angle - 90 degrees
Rear knee angle - 120 degrees

Mathematical approach

Using these two knee angles (120, 90) and some athlete limb measurements it is, mathematically, possible to calculate the settings for the front and rear pads of the starting blocks:

distance from the start line to each pad
the angle of each pad to the horizontal

Measurements

The following measurements, with the athlete in the "set" position, will be required:

AL (Arm Length) - vertical distance from the mid point of the shoulder to the ground
BL (Back length) - distance from the mid point of the shoulder to the mid point of the hip
ULL (Upper leg length) - distance from the mid point of the hip to the mid point of the knee
LLL (Lower leg length) - distance from the mid point of the knee to the bottom of the shoe
FL (Foot length) - distance from the mid point of the ankle to the point of contact with the toes to the ground

Block settings

Block setting Calculator

Enter the measurements and then select the 'Calculate Block Settings' button to obtain measurements. An estimate of the distance of the toes of the first foot strike from the front starting block pad is given.

Arm length	Back Length	Upper leg length
Lower leg length	Foot length


Distance from the start line to the front pad
Distance from the start line to the rear pad
Angle of the front pad	degrees
Angle of the rear pad	degrees

First foot strike (front of shoe) approximately	from the front block

The distance measurements for the pads are made from the rear of the start line to the front of the pad where it is in contact with the ground.

Free Calculator

Block Setting Calculator - a free Microsoft Excel spreadsheet that you can download and use on your computer.

Page Reference

The reference for this page is:

MACKENZIE, B. (2001) Sprint Starting Block Settings [WWW] Available from: http://www.brianmac.co.uk/sprints/blockset.htm [Accessed

Associated Pages

The following Sports Coach pages should be read in conjunction with this page:

Associated Books

The following books provide more information related to this topic:

Sprints and Relays, F. W. Dick
Sprinting and Hurdling, P. Warden
How to Teach Track Events, M. Arnold