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Wednesday, 29 December 2010

Speedendurance.com

Ralph Mann – Sprinting and Hurdling [PODCAST]

Posted: 29 Dec 2010 05:00 AM PST

Ralph Mann is everywhere.

He was in London at the European Sprinting & Hurdling Conference, then he was at the 2010 USATF National Podium Education Project in Virginia Beach.

He's also famous for his Sprinting & Hurdling book (which I have referenced several times on this Blog), which you can obtain by emailing Curtis Cowan at dev @ swingmodel.com (with no spaces). The cost is $30 USD.

Ralph Mann is a former world record holder and the 1972 Munich Olympic Silver medalist in the 400m Hurdles behind John Akii-Bua (more on John Akii-Bua can be found here and here).

In 1982 he established the USA Track and Field Elite Development Program that aimed to help American coaches integrate sports science into the preparation of their athletes as the Director of the Elite Athlete Sprint and Hurdle Program.

For the past 28 years, he has biomechanically analyzed every elite sprinter and hurdler with the goal of understanding the characteristics of great sprinters and hurdlers. This information has been used to evaluate and improve the performance of virtually every US sprint and hurdle athlete since the program's inception. Too bad he didn't cover the 4×100 meter relay.

Prior to London, he did a podcast as a prerequisite "reading" (listening?) for those attending the European Sprinting & Hurdling Conference in November 2010.

Mann discusses how the current trend focuses more on stride rate and favoring front side mechanics (FSM) over back side mechanics (BSM).

He also concludes the two most important elements in the 100 meter sprint, and that is the start (especially the first 3 steps, where you can attain up to 60% top speed) and attaining maximum velocity in determining the 100 meter potential in any given athlete.

For those who are interested, the podcast can be found at http://coaching.uka.org.uk/ but it's only accessible to UK residents. The rest of the world can use the handy dandy player below.

Enjoy.

PODCAST Info:

Presenter: Dr. Ralph Mann

Interview Date: October 2010

Duration: 36 mins

File Size: 17 MB