pinoyathletics.com

Foot Strike and Force Application
Written by Adarian Barr
Edited by Alysson Bodenbach

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Speed seems to be a common component in an athlete’s repertoire. Speed is what gives one athlete an edge over another. It is what propels them from point a”” to point “b”. It is essential for almost every sport, but the question remains: How is speed produced and how can I run faster? One of the answers lies within the position of the foot when making contact with the ground.

There is no secret to speed. The answers have been laid out for years, but often times it is more complicated than it really needs to be. Let us start off with force production. In order to get from point “a” to point “b” something is going to need to propel you. More than likely, a combination of your hips and legs will be the main source of force but your brain will come up with whatever combination it feels is most efficient. Once you’ve figured out how to produce the force, you need to learn how to apply it.

The foot becomes an extremely important factor when determining the efficiency of force application. Pronation from the outside of the foot, the heel, and the ball of the foot, back to supination towards the fifth metatarsal is essential for producing the greatest amount of force over time. This means that as your foot approaches the ground it should be supinated in order to prepare for pronation upon ground contact. By doing so, your foot is able to cover a greater amount of surface area allowing for greater force application.

The position of the foot plays is often one of the unsung heroes of force production and will continue to be until it is preached about by more coaches. If you are looking to increase your speed you must first start with force, but force alone will not make you faster. If you don’t have the proper foot position that will allow you to apply the force your speed potential will be just that: potential.