Sprint X-Ray: Stride Length and Frequency on Video
Groups film a flying sprint section and work out each runner's stride length and stride frequency. Students learn that speed is the product of both and find out which one they need to improve.
How to play
- Setup: a 10 m section with a cone every meter, after 20 m of acceleration; tablet fixed at the side, perpendicular to the section (5 min).
- Filming: two runs per person; the group logs the order and the timer clocks the section (10 min).
- Math: in slow motion, count foot contacts inside the section; average stride length = 10 m / contacts; frequency = contacts / time (8 min).
- Interpretation: each student compares their two numbers with the group's and picks a drill to improve the lower one (5 min).
- Delete videos and clean up (2 min).
Rules
- Film only with permission and on school tablets.
- Videos are deleted at the end of class.
- Leave a long slow-down zone after the section.
- Nobody crosses the straight while someone is running.
Variations
Easier
Just count foot contacts and compare between runs.
Standard
Calculate length and frequency.
Harder
Repeat with one cue (faster arms or longer stride) and analyze the effect.
Adaptations
- Visual impairment: runs with a guide while the partner describes the data and they do the math.
- Wheelchair users: analyze pushes per section and their frequency.
- Self-conscious on camera: analyze the numbers without watching the video, or use a willing classmate's clip.
Learning goals
- Understand speed as stride length times stride frequency.
- Get reliable data from video.
- Choose an improvement goal based on data.
Equipment for a class of 25
- tablets: 5
- cones: 25
- measuring tape: 2
- score sheets: 30
Teacher tip
No tablets? A school phone in slow-mo is enough. The common mistake is miscounting the first and last contacts: agree beforehand on what counts as inside the section.
PatioLab has "Sprint X-Ray: Stride Length and Frequency on Video" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
More main activities for High School
"Switch!": Talking Defense Against Screens in 3v3
3v3 games where the offense uses ball screens and the defense must decide out loud whether to switch or stay with their player.
“Throw Like a Girl”: Your Other Arm Explains It
In pairs, each student throws with their dominant arm and their other arm while their partner checks technique.
1 vs. 1 Channel Duel: Dodge and Score
In narrow channels, an attacker with the ball tries to reach the line without the defender pulling a tag.