Latest update April 4th, 2025 12:14 AM
Local athletics coaches urged to focus more on importance of starts
By Rawle Welch
Despite the disappointing turnout, local athletics coaches who attended Sunday’s
IAF accredited Level 1 Coah Kenrick Smith (standing right) demonstrates to one of the participants the right position to be in the blocks during the Clinic which was held on Sunday at Leonora Synthetic Track facility.
clinic, which was conducted by US-based International Athletics Federation (IAF) Level 1 Coach Kenrick Smith at the Leonora Synthetic Track facility, benefitted tremendously according to the general feedback received from them.
Smith, a Guyanese currently residing in the USA agreed to volunteer his expertise to local coaches on the art of starting, while he also shared tips on how best to prepare an athlete before heading into competition.
The experienced Athletics Coach speaking with Kaieteur Sport shortly after concluding the session said participants were apprised on many aspects of the importance of starts, especially for sprinters and according to him it usually decides success or failure.
Smith, who frequently returns to Guyana and has always declared his passion to give back, spoke of the three important parts of starting which comprises coming out of the blocks into the transition and acceleration phases.
According to him, the start is critical for the smooth execution of the race, adding that the athlete who reacts the best in terms of explosiveness, positioning and acceleration, most likely stands the best chance of reaping success.
Smith, who is also a USATF certified Level 1&2 Coach also engaged the coaches in practical
Athletics Coach Kenrick Smith makes a point during his interaction with local coaches on Sunday.
demonstrations of how best to position yourself in the blocks, the importance of practicing the set position, foot positioning and the lead arm among other aspects to enhance an athlete’s chances of winning.
He said many local athletes are very good runners, but lamented the poor techniques that they display when in competition; an anomaly he pointed out must be rectified if success is to be reaped.
“I’ve watched many Guyanese athletes in competitions overseas and they can run, but their starts are atrocious and this can be the difference between defeat and medaling,” Smith told this newspaper.
He urged that coaches understand the significance of spending time on perfecting starting techniques because of its vital importance to the athletes.
The well respected Coach also spent time with the participants explaining to them the type of drills that they must employ when preparing athletes for competition as well as the methods they must use to ensure that the drills are done safely and at what period during the preparations phase.
Among those attending the session were Running Braves Sham Johnny, Police Progressive Youth Club Lyndon Wilson, Linden’s Wanda Richmond and Johnny Gravesande, Masters Athlete Val Barnwell and Linden Phillips along with two junior athletes from the Mining Town.
The Athletic Association of Guyana was represented by Mayfield Taylor-Trim.
Smith promised to continue to offer his expertise in the future to improve Guyana’s fortune on the regional and international stages.
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