Sprinting Technique | Common Errors & Myths

Learn some of the most common errors athletes make with sprinting technique and how to avoid them. In this lesson coach Karim shares the errors he has seen athletes make throughout his time working with elite sprinters as well as football players preparing for the NFL draft combine.
Starting with the the most common mistake which is staying too low out of the blocks or at the beginning of the sprint. You'll learn why staying low dramatically reduces the ability to produce force down to the ground and' results in slower speed. Coach Karim provides an effective cue to help solve this issue.
Another common error that is breaking at the waist. This breakdown in technique also inhibits speed and will result in slower times and can potentially lead to injuries. Learn how to spot a "fake lean" and some tips on optimal sprinting biomechanics.
Athlete Insight sections - Olympians Jeremy Dodson and Janay DeLoach talk about the biggest myths and worst advice they heard in high school and why you should avoid them if you want to reach your potential.

[vladikas]

Running on your toes is so stupid, I've seen it recommended all over the place. Tried it myself but just ended up tiring out my feet. Dorsiflexion is what worked incredibly for me ( I'm a fairly big guy and I was never extremely slow but not very fast either ) it shreded seconds off my sprinting runs, I was able to easily beat guys that weigh 50+lbs less than me and you feel the boost on day one even before the muscles are properly developed.

[augustinemarchie]

Man, where were these videos when I needed them 14 years ago. I could have been sooo much faster with this coaching. You young people are lucky to have them teach you if your coach is basically useless.

[tikon]

I found it very helpful to stay on the toes right in the first few steps after the start, of course in conjunction with ankle dorsiflexion. My shin angle became much better and it prevented me from landing the foot too far out in the front.

[stevespyder]

one of my favorite exercises if catching a football on the fly, you are not thinking about running, your brain is thinking about catching the ball, and the body automatically develops speed unconsciously as you are trying to catch a ball at random speeds.

[jay_autumn]

Great informative video for all sprinters and athletes especially beginners.

[byrd]

Running on my toes works for me it’s just that u can’t run completely on Your toes just keep your heels of the ground it will open up your stride

[RubenUithaler]

coleman didnt see this video and still runs fast . smh .

[LindsayC.]

Idk man I run faster when im on my toes and it actually prevents me from getting hurt vs. If I were to not run on them 🤷🏿‍♀️ im flat footed so idk if that has anything to do with it. It also changes the game completely for me in the hurdles.

[averycason-rkoe]

I hope this helps me run faster in my dreams

[latetapeoni]

Running on toes is a big one, did it for a few months ended up fracturing both big toes

[BasilBruh]

I think they’re more so saying to include your heel, not quite land on it

[UmerKhan-sklt]

Sir please make an video on posture controle and balancing part plz sir some kind of drills like will be helpful

[jonovarelamartinez]

Man, if only I knew the "too low" mistake sooner. Man I can run 4.2 seconds in the 40. But when I race I get really low and bend at the waist. Now I can fix this and actually prove that I run a 4.2 and not a 4.9

[rosanocavichioli]

This video is not yet included in the Sprinting Smarter, Sprinting Faster video
group, right?

[akashcs]

This will help me to run away from corona-chan.

[mayukhsen]

I have insane amount of sprint strength and natural ballisticity and technique for sprinting, however I don't usually sprint because sprinting grounds are far away from where I live and if I sprint on road for example, I gain so much momentum that it takes a good 15 metres for me to slow down to a safe speed.


I found out 3 years ago that I am super good at sprinting, I completed a 60 metre dash in 8 seconds without EVER training sprinting in a good 9 years. I wasn't so fast back then. Now not having trained for sprinting at all (I train boxing recreationally, one arm push ups, pull ups and bodyweight squats till failure) I was amazed.


Since then I have been somewhat famous among friends. Everybody tells me to train for sprinting lol.

[masonkim]

Is the thing that the first guy said about your shins being 45 degrees from the ground considered getting low?

[PakaMusic]

I know this probably isn't the right video to ask this question, but I'll do it anyway. I'm a 400m and 200m sprinter and I need a new pair of running shoes for training (not spikes). Now I'm running with the Nike Pegasus 35, but I don't like them so much and they hurt sometimes. Any suggestions on what to buy? Thanks in advance :)

[awedee.]

soooo what if the body ive been given allows me to get low and be efficient 🤷‍♂️

[darkhorseperformance]

Well are we talking about a 40 yard dash or 100m sprint?