Note: What I am writing here in this thread is based on comments...
Sprint Science@spikesonly
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Sep 16, 2025
~2 min read
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Note: What I am writing here in this thread is based on comments from coaches regarding overspeed before the world championships.
Hobbs narrowly misses out on 100m final at world champs rnz.co.nz/news/sport/573…
Hobbs narrowly misses out on 100m final at world champs rnz.co.nz/news/sport/573…
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A few coaches asked about the use of motorized overspeed with elite sprinters. I have witnessed a lot of assisted speed for nearly 30 years, and it's not a perfect science.
Let's start with the protocols and concepts shared in this link on YouTube about a week before WCs.
Let's start with the protocols and concepts shared in this link on YouTube about a week before WCs.
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The video found here
youtube.com/watch?v=PYxngZ…
shares a few reps of getting towed at a high speed. The first question people will ask is "how much assistance is effective?".
That is a deep question, and the answer is it's likely very personalized to the athlete and program.
youtube.com/watch?v=PYxngZ…
shares a few reps of getting towed at a high speed. The first question people will ask is "how much assistance is effective?".
That is a deep question, and the answer is it's likely very personalized to the athlete and program.
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Assisted speed and overspeed are not the same, so let's start with terminology first.
Assisted is when you are removing force demands to the athlete rather than running faster than you can volitionally. Overspeed is supra-maximal velocity; assistance is just a boost.
Assisted is when you are removing force demands to the athlete rather than running faster than you can volitionally. Overspeed is supra-maximal velocity; assistance is just a boost.
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When you are sprinting fast, regardless of using ANY towing system, make sure you realize that the same principles of training for speed are followed. I don't care about technology until the methodology is sound.
With regards to max speed training, how you decelerate is vital.
With regards to max speed training, how you decelerate is vital.
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When you sprint through the line or with a line, the way you decelerate must be smooth with a float-style strategy. Sometimes you can decelerate harder during training, but towing could create more stress if the tangential footspeed is under the @KenClarkSpeed research ratio.
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@KenClarkSpeed The number one need, besides adhering to the ratio of tangential foot velocity, is flying past the speed device and releasing the towing force without having to pull a ripcord. This is a cardinal responsibility. My favorite part of the video is the second rep of Zoe.
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@KenClarkSpeed Note the runoff (most valuable data) was faster and longer with the second rep, increasing the safety and ability to do more assisted speed volume.
How fast and how much before peaking is beyond this discussion.
How fast and how much before peaking is beyond this discussion.
