Sprint Mechanics 101
Speed improves fast when athletes clean up basic sprint mechanics and posture.
Speed is a skill, not just a gift. Most high school athletes leak speed because of poor posture, arm action, or contact with the ground. Small fixes in mechanics can create big gains without adding more conditioning.
Good sprint form puts force into the ground in the right direction. That means tall posture, aggressive but relaxed arm drive, and quick, powerful steps rather than long, overstriding ones.
Key sprint cues:
- Run tall, with hips up and chest proud
- Drive arms cheek to hip, not across the body
- Push the ground back, do not reach forward
- Short, fast steps early; open up only as you accelerate
Weyand et al., Sprinting Mechanics and Ground Forces (2000); Mann, The Mechanics of Sprinting and Hurdling (2013)
Run With Skill\n• Speed is a trainable skill\n• Posture, arms, and contact matter\n• Small form fixes = big gains
Pick one sprint cue from this article and focus on it in warm-ups today.
