• 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

Dafne Schippers Asymmetrical Starting Blocks Technique

You are here: Home / Coaching / Dafne Schippers Asymmetrical Starting Blocks Technique
430
SHARES
FacebookTwitter

February 6, 2016 by Jimson Lee Leave a Comment

Congratulations to Dafne Schippers with her 7.08 at Karlsruhe 2016.

Did anyone notice her asymmetrical starting block technique with her hands?

Her right hand is several inches behind the line, as compared to the left hand which is directly behind the line?  In fact, this is how I set up my blocks when I use blocks.

Dafne Schippers 7.08 Karlsruhe 2016

When I updated the original Rocket Sprint Start book by Bud Winter, I only covered the use of starting blocks, and to some degree, the Moye starting block.

But I only discussed symmetrical, not asymmetrical methods.

Click here on How to Do Different Starts… 2 Point, 3 Point, Falling Starts and more!

In the book, I talked about cues, and one of the important queues is the LEFT hand exploding upwards with your RIGHT foot on the rear pedal. The brain receives the signal from the gun, and the left hand moves a fraction of a second before the right foot. (the difference is minuscule, but you can’t argue with science!)

I used to wear a watch on the left hand as my cue to move first, and sometimes I would have my right hand about an inch behind the line. This “forced” me to flick the left hand and arm forward. You can argue it’s a psychological effect from starting on the curve where your right hand is always a few inches behind the start line.

Jeff Demps Starting Block Technique

Below are two screen shots of Jeff Demps’ starting block technique from the 2011 and 2012 NCAA D1 Track and Field Championships. Note how his right hand is positioned an inch (or two) behind the start line.

See also  LaShawn Merritt Training with Mike Hurst [PODCAST]

This could be a cue for his left hand, and possibly from the standard 3 point start used in the 40 yard dash football combine. We’ll have to wait until I speak to his coach :)

Adarian Barr has been promoting asymmetry for years – maybe he is on to something?  Our bodies nay appear symmetrical, but obviously, they are not.

Click here for different Hip Height and Hand Positions in Blocks for Lerone Clarke & Christophe Lemaitre.

Jeff Demps' Asymmetrical Starting Block Technique

Above: 2012 NCAA Championship. Below: 2011. Photo Credits: ESPN

Jeff Demps' Asymmetrical Starting Block Technique

Above: 2011 NCAA Track & Field Champs – Men’s 60m Dash

Category iconCoaching,  Track & Field

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

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

  • Oregon22 Coaches Club now Online
  • 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]

Copyright © 2023. SpeedEndurance.com is owned and operated by Aryta Ltd. Privacy Policy | Cookie 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
Manage Cookie Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}