Start and acceleration error: Premature upright posture. What is the correction?

Start and acceleration error: Premature upright posture. What is the correction?

• A. Increasing push-off force; maintaining forward trunk lean; keeping eyes focused on ground without lifting head
• B. Reducing push-off force and keeping head level
• C. Increasing forward trunk lean but looking forward
• D. Lifting the head and decreasing trunk lean

Answer: (A)

Premature upright posture during the start slows acceleration because the torso rises before the hips drive forward, shifting force from horizontal to vertical and reducing forward drive. The correction is to drive off the ground with more force while keeping a forward trunk lean and the eyes focused on the ground (not lifting the head). This combination preserves the forward angle of the body, maximizing horizontal impulse as you push out of the blocks and into the early drive phase. Lifting the head or letting the trunk become more upright too soon disrupts that lean and weakens acceleration. Reducing push-off or altering the trunk angle in other ways would not promote the required forward drive.

Premature upright posture during the start slows acceleration because the torso rises before the hips drive forward, shifting force from horizontal to vertical and reducing forward drive. The correction is to drive off the ground with more force while keeping a forward trunk lean and the eyes focused on the ground (not lifting the head). This combination preserves the forward angle of the body, maximizing horizontal impulse as you push out of the blocks and into the early drive phase. Lifting the head or letting the trunk become more upright too soon disrupts that lean and weakens acceleration. Reducing push-off or altering the trunk angle in other ways would not promote the required forward drive.