Track and Field Starting Blocks Evolution
December 29, 2008 by Jimson Lee
Starting blocks were developed in the late 1920’s over the alternative of digging holes into the ground. They were patented in 1935, and have officially been used at the start of sprint races since 1937. Several iterations of starting blocks have been filed by the US patent office since then.
They have always been […]
1996 Gold Medal 4×100m Relay Team Inducted to Sports Hall of Fame
December 21, 2008 by Jimson Lee
1996 Gold Medal 4×100m Relay Team Inducted to Sports Hall of Fame in November 2008.
12 years after winning the Gold medal in Atlanta, the Gold Medal 4×100m Relay Team of Donovan Bailey, Carlton Chambers, Robert Esmie, Glenroy Gilbert and Bruny Surin were inducted to the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame.
Also receiving the honours were David […]
Coaching Long Jump Technique - Hang or Hitch-kick?
December 16, 2008 by Jimson Lee
When you think of high jump, no one uses the straddle roll anymore.
The last time we saw that technique being used was Vladimir Yashchenko (2.33m & 2.34m World records from 1977-78) or Valeriy Brumel (2.23-2.28m World records from 1961-63)
In the long jump, most Elite men (if not all) use the hitch kick. The Hang […]
Ben Johnson - The 1988 Lost Seoul Series
December 8, 2008 by Jimson Lee
Where were you on December 8, 1980?
I was studying for my College finals when I heard the news about John Lennon.
Some dates you will always remember. July 20, 1969. September 11, 2001. September 24, 1988. December 26, 2004.
Did I say September 24, 1988?
With the 20th anniversary of the 1988 Seoul 100 […]
Dwain Chambers on Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell, Stride Length and Stride Frequency
December 2, 2008 by Jimson Lee
Here are some quotes from the original article on timesonline.co.uk, and some commentary and analysis that follows it.
On Extrapolating 60 meters performances to 100 meters
Charles van Commenee, the new head coach at UKA, has said that Chambers is welcome back and the sprinter is hoping that this message will lead to a change in thinking. […]
Preventing ACL Injuries Videos
November 24, 2008 by Jimson Lee
LA84foundation.org is the web site for the Legacy of The 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games that has several excellent Free Track and Cross Country Coaching Books.
There is a web-based lesson for athletes, coaches, trainers and parents on how to prevent ACL injuries. While it may appear to focus on soccer, it applies to any […]
PODCAST - 400 meter Training with Iwan Thomas
November 18, 2008 by Jimson Lee
Iwan Thomas is the current UK record holder at 400 meters with a time of 44.36 seconds. His best year was definitely 1998 where he won the gold at all 3 major “championship meets” that year, notably the IAAF World Cup, European Championships and Commonwealth Games.
He also won a silver medal at the 1996 […]
Asafa Powell Coach Stephen Francis Coaching Seminar
November 16, 2008 by Jimson Lee
If you enjoyed my casual and candid live coaching videos of John Smith with Jon Drummond demonstrating a drills session or Clyde Hart Drill’s session, you might find this series of videos informative from YouTube.
In these videos, we have Coach Stephen Francis explaining how to prepare for sprinting at a session. This was organized […]
IAAF New Studies in Athletics - focus on 400 meters
November 12, 2008 by Jimson Lee
The latest issue of IAAF New Studies in Athletics special edition focused on the 400 meters:
The 400 metres by Jurgen Schiffer
The aerobic mechanism in the 400 metres - by Enrico Arcelli, Marina Mambretti, Giuseppe Cimadoro, Giampiero Alberti
New Studies in Athletics Interview with Clyde Hart
The IAAF New Studies in Athletics is published quarterly in March, June, […]
Clyde Hart at the European Athletics Coaching Conference
November 6, 2008 by Jimson Lee
Every time you hear Clyde Hart speak at a conference, he provides incredible insight as well as humour to coaching 400 meters sprinters. Sometimes you leave the room with more questions than answers. This is good, as coaching should be a discovery on what works (and what doesn’t work) for your athletes.
If you […]
PODCAST: Frans Bosch - Author, Biomechanist, Coach
November 4, 2008 by Jimson Lee
Frans Bosch is a professor of biomechanics and motor learning at Fontys University for Applied Science in The Netherlands. He is also the co-author of “Running: Biomechanics and Exercise Physiology in Practice” with Ronald Klomp. His book “Running” is widely regarded as one of the top sprinting resources for coaches worldwide. An anatomical illustrator, […]
How to Maintain Your Peak from the Trials to the Games - The 2008 USATF NPEP
October 31, 2008 by Jimson Lee
The 2008 USATF National Podium Education Project takes place December 9-13 at the Tuscany Resort and Casino, Las Vegas, NV. The main focus of this year’s summit will be “How to Maintain Your Peak from the Trials to the Games“.
It follows the same format as last year with the conference broken down into 2 […]
Skinny Men Can’t Sprint - Part 1
October 22, 2008 by Jimson Lee
What is the ideal body type for a 100 meter sprinter?
ANSWER: The one who crosses the finish line first.
We all remember the 2008 Olympics when a 6 foot 5 inch tall muscular runner named Usain Bolt ran 9.69 for the 100 meters and he slowed down at the end with a chest thump.
We all remember […]
Free Track and Cross Country Coaching Books
October 20, 2008 by Jimson Lee
The LA84foundation.org is the web site for the Legacy of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. This web site is a great resource for athletes, coaches, trainers and parents.
Who the heck is the LA84foundation.org?
The LA84 Foundation is endowed with surplus funds from the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Their mission is to serve youth […]
PODCAST: Rare Interview with Al Oerter
October 15, 2008 by Jimson Lee
The Canadian Athletics Coaching Center has a wealth of free coaching articles, including a great article I referenced on Valeri Borzov’s mental preparation before a race.
Click here for a complete listing of their downloadable audio files.
Another gem in their collection is a rare interview of Al Oerter, recorded about 4 months before his untimely death […]
Dan Pfaff - Alternate Methods for Developing Strength, Power and Mobility
September 19, 2008 by Jimson Lee
The Canadian Athletics Coaching Center has a wealth of free coaching articles, including a great article I referenced on Valeri Borzov’s mental preparation before a race.
If you are interested in more advanced topics such as developing Strength, Power and Mobility, then check out this article from Dan Pfaff.
You can download the entire PDF here, or […]
Video of LaShawn Merritt Beijing Olympic 400 meter 43.75
August 21, 2008 by Jimson Lee
In stunning fashion, LaShawn Merritt upset Jeremy Wariner to win the Olympic Gold medal in 43.75.
LaShawn Merritt appeared to be left in the blocks with a 0.318 reaction time. But in a 400 meters, the reaction time is not as critical as your first 40-60 meters which sets you up for the entire race. […]
Joe Sarti presents - Your Life Without Limits
August 11, 2008 by Jimson Lee
Joe Sarti is a contributing writer for Speedendurance, and was an Assistant Instructor for Dragondoor’s Kettlebell Certification
Joe Sarti presents “Your Life Without Limits†Your answer to holistic health and well-being.
Fitness and health guru Joe Sarti hosts a new live internet talk radio show about moving beyond your boundaries and discovering the limitless life on VoiceAmerica’s […]
Olympic 400 meters Prediction Contest
August 8, 2008 by Jimson Lee
The good folks at Athletes Acceleration have donated a monster prize package for anyone predicting the correct medal winners in the 2008 Olympic Men’s 400 meters.
Their 5 DVD Complete Speed Training set regularly sells for $297 $197. You also receive 8 Bonus eBooks including “Precision Sports Nutrition Strategies for Success” by Dr. John Berardi, […]
Tommie Smith John Carlos 40 Years Later
July 16, 2008 by Jimson Lee
Black Power Salute, 1968 Olympics, Mexico City Art Print
On October 16, 1968, this photo changed the world. Even in Canada the effects were tremendous.
You would think 40 years later these two men (children?) would settle their differences! They have 2 completely different versions on what happened on October 16, 1968. This story is from the […]








