Drills & training techniques to improve sprinter's speed around bends

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chrism_striders's picture
chrism_striders

Hi

Can anyone suggest specific drills or techniques to improve one of my club's sprinters who tend to lose some speed when he tackles the bends in 200m and 400m races ?

yes

vic_huyton's picture
vic_huyton

Hope these help!

Session 1 (over 200m)

1. athletes sets off and runs at race pace (or best as) for the whole bend.
2. coach records time at the 100m mark
3. athletes carrys on and trys to hold this pace for as long as possible up to the finish line
4. coach records time at finsih (200m mark)

Aim is to really really try to run the bend as fast as possible but trunning at 100m pace rather than 200m.

session 2- (over 150)

Ins and out around 150m using bend

session 3- Whistle session

Athlete sets off running (just before the bend) at a cruise pace, coach blows whistle (when on bend or approaching) and athlete picks speed up to race pace (or whilst learning to lean properly just at about 80% if they need to concentrate on technique). Coach then blows whistle again to order athlete back to cruise

Session 4- Chase the trainer

Athlete sprints for set time (say 20 / 25 seconds) and then stops. Whereever they stop, place athletes trainer on the spot. Rest- then athlete does exactly the same but has to beat the trainer. Do all this on bend.

Session 4.
Running set pace / timed 300s tends to work well for 400 runners

Also- have you analsyed the technique of the sprinters around the bend? Are they leaning enough, or too much? Are they running close enough to the inside line? When they start, are they taking the long way around the corner or the short way. Athlete might also need to improve core strength during the leaning of the bend. Also, 400m runners really should work on pacing and learning there own pace!!

Hope this all makes sense!!

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