According to the rules, this is a false start.
Any movement in the SET position is a false start. Period. And in 2012, this is an automatic DQ. No second chances.
Today, officials are using the sensors on the starting blocks to detect any pressure, and if there is pressure before 0.100 seconds, then it is called a false start. See Marvin Bracy 55 meters 6.08 Video: A False Start?.
Even a genetic freak with a real reaction time (RT) of 0.0991 is considered a false start, and we have proved that is possible! See Changing the IAAF Reaction Time Rule .
In the video, it is clear VCB is using a rolling start to get momentum coming out of the blocks. But she does it without triggering the sensors. The official should have asked the runners to “stand up” and issue a warning or even a disqualification (DQ).
Here is the video on YouTube.
How Does She Do It?
First, this practice is risky and can lead to a false start, and thus a DQ. (Am I repeating myself here? Am I repeating myself here?)
You can accomplish this by having part of your toe (or tip of your spike) on the track, with the rest of the spike on the blocks. This is how I recommend people use starting blocks in The Rocket Sprint Start.
By leaning forward, any of the weight changes will be on the ground portion, and not the sensors.
But this is technically a false start as you are moving in the set position.
Kids, don’t try this at home.
If this one is not legal, then Blake made false start in final Daegu because he moved a little before the gun(before that Bolt too).
I think that although is not “legal”, usually the judges let make it if the movement is very few, the judges only stop the race when the movement is very big, in my opinion.
First thing I said to myself when I watched this video the day after this race was “Why didn’t the starter call that one back? It was a false start”
I’m working on adding the “toe drag” to my starting technique, but I think I’ll avoid adding the rolling start too. Although masters rules still give us a second chance if we false start. Hmmmm…
@Mark, WHOA! Don’t do the toe-drag for the sake of doing it. Apply the toe-drag to get your foot in the best possible position for the next stride, and to set you up for the entire 45 steps in the 100m. I’ll take a toe-drag any day over a short quick step with no power, but I’ll take a non-toe-drag any day if the stride and ground contact is perfect for the whole 100m.
Just looking at experimenting with it in between seasons after the Canadian Masters indoor championships next month. I would agree with you that adding it just for the sake of adding it is a poor choice, but it’s a concept I’d like to explore.
That is such a false start, stupid officials in this situation IMO being too scared.