• Blocks provide foot support which can give a sprinter more power off their start compared to a standing start
• Demonstration: How to place your blocks and how to gain power from the blocks
• Emotional connection
• Why the audience should listen to me etc
• How much work I put in etc
• What blocks are

Placing your blocks: 

• Have to have them with a distance apart that suits your legs
• 1 ½ feet front block and 2 ½ feet back block
• The front leg needs to be at a 90-degree angle
• The back leg needs to be at a 135-degree angle
• Example on powerpoint
• Say my dominant leg etc

Getting into your blocks:

• Hand placement
• Weight onto hands 
• Head down

Gaining power from blocks:

• The first step needs to be big
• Arm slightly bent
• Drive out hard for first 10-15 metres 
• Head down

How to have the most successful start from blocks

Do you want to win sprints at MAC athletics next year? Listen in, I won this year and it was all down to one crucial thing. My start. I have been training for athletics for 4 years now and I have a great passion and interest in it. So trust me when I say I know what I’m talking about.

The start is one of the most important parts of a sprinting race, the others are speed and endurance. There are a few principles you need to consider to have a good start. Slide 2 picture of blocks Here is a picture of some blocks. Now, most of you probably don’t even know what blocks are in the first place so choose not to use them. Usually, you would choose what we call a standing start. A standing start is useless. Blocks are a tool used to support a sprinter’s feet when competing so they can gain power and speed more quickly. But it is important to set your blocks up properly rather than just randomly chuck them in a random setting.

So the first step of using blocks is figuring out your positioning. By using your feet as measuring tools you can find the correct spacing needed for your start. Your most dominant foot goes at the front so you can get a strong push that lets you drive out quickly. It is important to figure out which foot is your most dominant foot for a more efficient start. My most dominant foot is my left foot which seems strange as I am right-handed. If your not sure which leg is most dominant try leaning forward and whichever foot stops you from falling is your most dominant. Like this Slide 3 Picture of me leaning forward demonstration. Whichever foot is your most dominant is your front foot in your blocks. A quick and easy way to get an idea of what block measurements suit you is to simply measure from the start line with your feet. You place 1 1/2 of your feet back to your first block on whichever side your dominant foot is on, as seen above in Slide 4 first block and for your second block 2 1/2 of your feet back on the other side as seen in Slide 5-second block. This lets the blocks be at a nice distance apart and gives you enough space so you aren’t cramped. Here is what it looks like when I’m done Slide 6 Finished blocks

On your marks. That’s the call to get into your blocks and brings us to the second step, body placement in the blocks. When getting into your blocks you need to check that your feet are resting comfortably on the blocks. After placing your feet make sure your hands are behind the lines and shoulder-width apart. You want to lean forward and put all of your weight on your hands so that when you are in set position your legs can power you out of your blocks smoothly. Slide 8 Hands shoulder width and leaning forward As you can see my hands are shoulder-width apart and I am putting my weight on my hands.

Set. Set is the call that is made when you stand up on your hands and get ready to go. When in the set position you raise your hips high enough so your front leg has a 90-degree angle. Like this Slide 9 Set position Most of your weight is on your hands since your leaning forward so your legs are ready for action.

Go. The third and final step of having a good start is putting everything together and powering out of your blocks. To gain power you need to have a strong first stride reaching about half a metre in front of the start line. In my demonstration, my foot is about to hit the ground at half a metre. Slide 10 First, stride half a metre in front To be able to reach this far your arms need to be slightly bent, you need to be looking down and your body needs to be low to the ground. You need to keep your head down and body low for at the least the first 10 metres as it makes you more aerodynamic off your start.

Now that you all know how to start come challenge me in athletics next year where I hope to see you all!