Sprint Mill Vooruit
Purpose of the exercise
Conditioning and strength exercise for the entire posterior chain, quadriceps, core and cardiovascular system. Improves sprint speed, explosive leg strength, anaerobic capacity and acceleration. Also effective for developing correct sprint mechanics, improving power output and metabolic conditioning.
Supplies
- Non-motorised treadmill/sprint mill (assault runner, curved treadmill)
- Adequate ventilation
- Towel and water
- Sports timer (for intervals)
Starting position
- Stand on the sprint mill with hands on the handles
- Feet on the tyre (centre or rear)
- Lean forward slightly
- Tighten your core
- Get ready for explosive start
Implementation
- Start with powerful forward drive
- Lean forward and sprint explosively
- Use powerful arm swing
- Keep walking on the forefoot/midfoot
- Keep short ground contact time
- Drive knees up and forward
- Keep high cadence (fast steps)
- Sprint for desired time/distance
- Reduce speed gradually
Points of interest
- ✓ Lean forward during sprint (good sprint stance)
- ✓ Use powerful, active arm swing
- ✓ Stay on forefoot/midfoot
- ✓ Drive knees up and forward
- ✓ Keep short, quick steps
- ✓ Tighten your core for stability
- ✗ Avoid leaning back (loss of speed)
- ✗ Don't land on your heels
- ✗ Don't grip handles too tightly (restricts arm swing)
- ✗ Don't make too long passes
- ✗ Don't start too quickly without a warm-up
- ✗ Don't let yourself slide backwards on the tyre
When this exercise?
This exercise is suitable for athletes who want to develop sprint speed and explosive power. Ideal for footballers, rugby players, basketball players and other sprint athletes. Very effective for HIIT (high-intensity interval training) and metabolic conditioning. Perfect as conditioning work without the impact of outdoor sprinting. Also valuable for improving sprint mechanics in controlled environment. Suitable for off-season conditioning. IMPORTANT: very intensive - only for those with good cardiovascular base. In case of knee, ankle or hip problems, have it assessed first. Start with short intervals (10-20 seconds) and ample rest.