Tom Tellez presents: The Correct Running Mechanics

with Tom Tellez,
University of Houston Head Track Coach from 1976 through 1998;
2016 USA Track & Field Legend Coach Award;
USTFCCCA Coaches Hall of Fame Class of 1998;
United States Track & Field Team Head Coach at the 1991 World Championships;
coached nine-time Olympic Gold Medalist Carl Lewis; Olympic 200m Gold Medalist Joe DeLoach; Olympic Silver medalist Kirk Baptiste; Olympic Bronze Medalist Frank Rutherford; and Olympic Gold Medalist, former world record holder in the 100m, and current Houston head coach Leroy Burrell

In this video, veteran track & field coach Tom Tellez explains the science behind running. Once a coach understands the science behind running, they can more effectively coach their athletes. And once you can more effectively coach running, you can help any athlete improve!

The old adage that you can't teach speed is disproven here. With the help of Christopher J. Arellano, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Health & Human Movement at the University of Houston, the fundamental principles that contribute to speed are broken down. Arellano does a wonderful job explaining how physics and motion combine to create movement in a way that's easy to comprehend.

Have you ever watched a sprinter, a runner or any athlete running and thought to yourself, Something doesn't look right, but did not know what it was? After watching this presentation, you will find yourself thinking of those athletes and now know what was wrong because you better understand the science behind it. While a coach's eye takes time to develop, a sound understanding of the science of running will bring it into perspective much sooner.

Applying Science to Speed

Tellez breaks down human movement into digestible parts. He explains how body position, arm stroke and the variables that affect stride length, when optimized, allow the human body to produce maximum force to accelerate as fast as possible. Coach Tellez explains the importance of arm stroke and the effect it has on the body as part of a lever system and another key to speed development.

Another common issue observed with runners is bringing the arms across the body, which causes rotation of the torso and reduces effective force to the ground. Tellez emphasizes the arms as part of the body's lever system and how correct technique optimizes that system's performance. You will see many things that are commonly observed in sprinters are technically incorrect and subtract from optimal performance.

Drills & Coaching Cues

You will learn how neuromuscular patterns are formed and why practicing correct (or incorrect) technique will ingrain these patterns. Coach Tellez asserts that many skills can be broken down into drills that develop the individual element of the skill by teaching the athlete how the correct movement feels. Once an athlete knows how correct techniques feel, they are well on their way to improving!

Tellez is a teacher whose classroom is a track, and that shines through when he discusses coaching details. He stresses the importance of consistency and adjusting one's teaching style to suit the athlete, as everyone learns differently.

Many times, coaches coach as they were coached, right or wrong. This video from Coach Tellez will give you another path: a scientifically validated path that is guided by principles of motor learning as well as principles of science.

79 minutes. 2022.