A Perfect Start!

How to do the perfect start? Go to the line calm and confident don’t be stressed out think of it as fun. If you go to the line stressed or worried you are more likely to make a mistake than a person who is confident and relaxed. Some different starts are blocks for sprinters, and the standing position for distance runners, also used by sprinters.

For every start you need to wait for the official to say the commands, anticipating when the gun will be shot is not always a good thing you could false start (false starting is when you start before the gun is shot for you to go), which will cause you to be DQ’ed (disqualified). 

For a sprint event when setting your blocks put the metal part of the block one of your feet away from the line then measure back from the line for the first block the one that is up farther back two of your feet length, then the farthest block is one foot length back from the other block. Test your blocks make sure that they will work for you and that you can get out quick, make sure they are not too close to each other. Have someone stand on the back of them, if you don’t the pressure of you pushing back so hard on them will cause the blocks to slide and you will end up on your face. Then when the official is waiting jump a few times to remain loose, when getting into the blocks you can take your time stretch out your legs if you have to. Don’t be the first one ready your legs will be jammed up longer than everyone else. When the gun goes off push out your blocks hard with your arms and legs, remain low for as long as you can, don’t be in a normal running position as soon as you get out of blocks, the longer you are down the faster you will go. Don’t worry if you are not comfortable with blocks you can do the standing start.

The start for  distance and sprint events if you wish, for the standing start you bend a little at your knees and lean forward, have your quick foot in the back and your strong foot in the front to push off with. However when you are leaning forward don’t lean to far you will lose your balance and be DQ’ed. When the gun goes off get off the line fast, don’t step back with your foot this is called stepping in the bucket try to keep your feet planted go forward not backward.