• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Click here to download the  free ebook of Alberto Juantorena’s  detailed training workouts leading up to the 1976 Montreal Olympics

SpeedEndurance.com

Success in Track & Field ... and Life

  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
  • Track & Field
    • 400 meters
    • 800m & Mile
    • 1/2 & Full Marathons
    • Long & Triple Jump
    • Hurdles
  • Training
    • Weight Training
    • Abs & Core
    • Injury Prevention
    • Shoes & Spikes
    • Masters
  • Coaching
    • Freelap Friday Five
    • Interviews
    • Sports Nutrition
    • Sport Psychology
  • Archives
  • Shop
    • My account
    • Checkout
    • Basket

Valeri Borzov Clinic on Sprinting & Starting Blocks 1st 3 Steps

You are here: Home / Coaching / Valeri Borzov Clinic on Sprinting & Starting Blocks 1st 3 Steps
48
SHARES
FacebookTwitter

July 18, 2007 by Jimson Lee 7 Comments

Last Updated on September 26, 2015 by Jimson Lee

Valeri Borzov is the double gold medalist in the 100 meters and 200 meters at the 1972 Olympics in Munich. He also won a silver medal in the 4×100 meter relay.

In the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, he added 2 bronze medals in the 100 meters and 4×100 meter relay.

In my opinion, he has one of the greatest sprinting techniques, out of the blocks and running at top speed. You can download this guide by clicking here, or right-click and choose Save Target As.

Many thanks to Ken Grace from Chabot College for providing this information from my USATF Level 1 Track and Field Coaching certification.

borzov1.JPG1) Head, Neck, Shoulders in alignment, Front Leg positioned at around 90 degrees, back leg around 135 degrees. Both legs are loading against both blocks – note the heel.

borzov2.JPG2) Drive the hips and body out at 45 degree angle, Eyes and head down maintaining power line out of the blocks.

borzov3.JPG3) Full extension out of the blocks at 45 degrees. Opposite arm blocks at the head. Eyes and Head down to so hips can be fully extended. Like pushing a car down the track.

borzov4.JPG4) Toe pulled up as the foot steps over the heel. Eyes straight ahead keeping head in alignment. Opposite arm driven back through the pocket.

borzov5.JPG5) Knee Up Toe – Foot Moving Back prior to ground contact.

borzov6.JPG6) Note the angle of the knee and hip. These are important angles to consider when designing a strength and plyometric training routine.

See also  Hurry! DyeStat Photo Finish contest ending in 2 weeks!

borzov7.JPG7) Full Extension off the back leg – head in alignment with shoulders and hips to maintain the power (or pushing) phase at the start. Knee Up and Toe Up prior to ground contact.

borzov8.JPG8) Third step.

Category iconCoaching,  Olympic History,  Track & Field,  Training Tag icon100 meters,  200 meters,  4x100,  Olympics,  relay,  speed,  Valery Borzov

About Jimson Lee

I am a Masters Athlete and Coach currently based in London UK. My other projects include the Bud Winter Foundation, writer for the IAAF New Studies in Athletics Journal (NSA) and a member of the Track & Field Writers of America.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bush Mackel says

    July 18, 2007 at 8:13 pm

    Very interesting blog. I used to run a lot more than I did now, and I used to sprint a lot more too. OHHHH to be young again. (#):)

    Reply
  2. Jimson Lee says

    July 18, 2007 at 11:07 pm

    Bush,

    It’s never too late for a comeback! There is Masters Track for those over 35!

    Reply
  3. Bill Pontius says

    August 30, 2007 at 12:58 pm

    Jimson,
    My thanks for these photos and reminders of Borzov’s great form out of the blocks. The “set” position shows very clearly that his weight is farther forward than most novice sprinters. If his hands were lifted up, he would fall straight down–of course this doesn’t happen in a race because he pushes forward with his feet (very powerfully and rapidly) from the blocks. Many coaches still have their athlets distributing their weight evenly between arms and legs. Borzov’s form suggests this may not be the best.

    And thanks for the upgrades to Caoch Dunton’s site! Much appreciated.

    Reply
  4. Jimson Lee says

    August 30, 2007 at 10:05 pm

    @Bill – You are welcome. I, too, try to lean forward with my weight over my shoulders in the “on your marks” position. At “set”, I would fall on my face if it were not for my arms and hands holding me up.

    Yes, Coach Dunton’s site was quite an overhaul. I hope it makes navigation easier, and the newsfeeds are great.

    Reply
  5. Adarian says

    April 29, 2008 at 10:43 am

    That is the same start that Asafa Powell is using.
    The fourth picture is the give away. Along with the short arm movement.
    But the ability to form the number four with your legs that early in a race is critical for getting max force returned to you be decreasing your ground contact time.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Primary Sidebar

Recommended

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xbs-aWxyLk

Shop Our Store

  • Bud Winter (9)
  • Championship Productions (6)
  • Clyde Hart (2)
  • Derek Hansen (1)
  • Electrical Muscle Stimulation (2)
  • Jim Hiserman (6)
  • Jimson Lee (4)
  • Uncategorised (0)

Articles by Category

Products

  • Jim Hiserman - Developing 800m Runners: Identifying, Categorizing and Developing 400m-800m Type Athletes $42.99 $39.99
  • Private Coaching - Monthly Plan $600.00 $525.00
  • Jim Hiserman-Developing-Distance-Runnersv2 Jim Hiserman - Developing Distance Runners Volume 2: A Systematic Approach to Developing Individual Success within a Dynamic Team Culture $34.95 $29.95
  • Feed-the-Cats-Clinic-3-Pack-701 'Feed the Cats' Clinic 3-Pack $64.99
  • Tony Holler's Feed the Cats": A Complete Sprint Training Program Tony Holler's "Feed the Cats" Complete Sprint Training Program $49.99
  • Bud Winter and Speed City presents Arthur Lydiard 509x716 Bud Winter & Arthur Lydiard MP3 [Download only] $9.99

RECENT POSTS

  • IFAC 2022: The Return of In-Person Conferences (with Virtual option)
  • Here is our 400m Discussion Recording… over 2 Hours Long
  • The Best Free Coaching Book – post Beijing 2022 Olympics
  • The Ultimate 400m Track Webinar for Coaches & Athletes
  • NACAC Athletics Coaching Science Series 2022
  • Top Six 400m Predictor Workouts (Number 4 is my Favourite)
  • Best 6 Podcasts for 2021 (and Beyond)
  • Why Karsten Warholm’s 45.94 400mH WR is my Highlight of 2021
  • Sprinting: 10 Research Articles for Effective Sprint Training [Part 23]
  • Pressure in Sports – Reflections from Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Copyright © 2023. SpeedEndurance.com is owned and operated by Aryta Ltd. Privacy Policy
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy