Photo Credit: USA Today Sports
Note: This article was written in 2021. It has been re-printed here.
By Robert Marchetti - Coaching Corner
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A difficult challenge for developing high school track athletes is learning how to use the starting blocks. In truth, success relies a large part in the set up before the gun goes off. Proper arrangement of blocks and body positions will yield an easier executed, and more powerful clearance.
MEASUREMENTS:
Block pedals should be staggered -- one farther back than the other. As a general rule, the front block should be 2 shoe lengths back from inside of the starting line, and the rear block should be 3 to 3 1/2 shoe lengths back from the starting line. As for height, set the front block as low as possible. The back block can be set a notch or two higher. These measurements are a good beginner's distance from which to make finer adjustments for the long term.
TAKE YOUR MARKS (DOWN POSITION):
In the "on your marks" position, or the "down position," there...
