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 foot blocks.
Position of foot blocks
Technically, the distance between the front block and the starting line should be approximately 55-60% of your leg length. The distance between blocks should be shin-length, about 42-45% of the total leg length.
A more straightforward and equally effective spacing is to start by placing the front block two-foot-lengths from the starting line and the rear block another foot length between the front and rear blocks. Spacing can be adjusted from there based on performance over the first 7 to 8 strides of the sprint start.
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° to 110°
- Rear knee angle - 120° to 135°
Block Angles
When in the set position, ensure that the front block down creates the smallest possible angle with the track. Ideally, block pedals should be at 30°. A 30° angle best utilizes the stretch-shortening cycle, which means you will get the most power from the stretch reflex, but without increasing the amount of time you are pushing on the foot blocks. The problem is that most blocks can only be lowered to about 45°. Therefore, both heels must be pressed firmly against the back of the blocks.
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.
Measurements
The following measurements (centimetres) with the athlete in the "set" position will be required:
- AL (Arm Length) - the 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
Free Calculator
- Block Setting Calculator - a free Microsoft Excel spreadsheet you can download and use on your computer.
Page Reference
If you quote information from this page in your work, then the reference for this page is:
- MACKENZIE, B. (2001) Sprint Starting Block Settings [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/sprints/blockset.htm [Accessed