Standing or Crouch Start: A 10 m Experiment

Students use slow-motion video to compare which start gets them through the first 10 m fastest: standing, three-point or crouch start without blocks. The goal is to find out from their own data which technique works best and why.

How to play

1. Demonstrate the three starts and the commands (“on your marks,” “set” and signal) (4 min).
2. Form groups of four with rotating roles: runner, starter, filmer at the 10-meter line and recorder (2 min).
3. Each runner does two trials of each start; the filmer records the finish in slow motion and the starter gives a signal that shows up in the shot (12 min).
4. Using the video app, the group times each trial from the signal to the chest crossing the line (4 min).
5. Each group reports which start won for most of its members and looks for a technical reason (3 min).

Rules

• Lanes are 6 feet apart and the slowdown zone has at least 10 m of clear space.
• The filmer stands outside the lane, never on the running line.
• Do two half-speed practice starts before the crouch start.
• Videos are deleted at the end of class and not shared outside the group.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: compares a standing start pushing with one hand versus two hands in the wheelchair.
• Hearing impairment: the start signal is a dropped colored pinny.
• Autism: starts as the recorder to watch the procedure before running.

Learning goals

• Learn and perform different sprint start techniques.
• Measure performance with digital tools and compare data.
• Justify choosing a technique based on evidence.

Equipment for a class of 25

• cones: 20
• tablets or phones: 7
• tape measure: 2

Teacher tip

For accurate timing, the signal must be visible in the video: an arm dropping beside the start line works well. Phones that shoot at 120 or 240 fps are accurate enough.

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