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Speed technique allows you to maximise the force generated by your muscles and is the interaction of posture, leg action and arm action

Posture

Posture refers to the alignment of your body. While sprinting you should be planting your foot directly beneath the your centre of gravity. Correct posture allows your muscles to perform efficiently and reduces your risk of injury.

Leg Action

The goal of sprinting is to achieve high stride frequency and optimal stride length. Speed can be improved by increasing the distance between foot contacts. Covering more distance with each stride will result in more distance covered in less time.

Stride length is reliant on power output

The power output allows the trailing leg to drive the body forward during sprinting and the greater the power, the further forward your body will travel with each push.

Increasing the number of strides from start to finish can also improve your overall speed.

Arm Action

Arms should be held at 90 degrees and punch forward and backward from buttock cheek to chin height, although this would vary depending on phase of sprint and body type. The swing should originate from the shoulder and not involve bending of the arm.

 

 
British Lion Dan Luger generates enormous power which facilitates his stride length
TOP TIP
Correct posture allows your muscles to perform efficiently and reduces your risk of injury.
TOP TIP
As top speed approaches, you should aim for a high head position, an upright torso, relaxed head and shoulders, and the driving leg should be fully extended to the ground.
 
TOP TIP
Correct posture allows your muscles to perform efficiently and reduces your risk of injury.
TOP TIP
As top speed approaches, you should aim for a high head position, an upright torso, relaxed head and shoulders, and the driving leg should be fully extended to the ground.