Top 20 Sprint Experts

Here is my 'semi-famous' annual Top 20 list. This years list is focusing on sprinting experts. I think it is worth detailing what this list is and what it is not:

This is a list of individuals with great expertise in the realm of sprint training. As such, some who have made the list are purely researchers, some are purely coaches and others fall into both camps. It is not a list of those individuals who have made the greatest contribution to or have had the most success in sprint coaching within the past year - just a list of those deemed to have great expertise (and so, for some, their greatest contributions may have been some time ago). It is also, not a list of experts on speed training in general - those listed have expertise with respect to training for linear sprinting speed (that is not to say they do not have expertise in other areas as well!).

Finally, I hope to generate much discussion through the production of this list.

1) Ralph Mann

His book 'The Mechanics of Sprinting and Hurdling' is outsdanding and his longevity as a leading researcher and applied biomechanist make Ralph Mann an absolute authority in the field.

2) Peter Weyand

Peter Weyand has produced some landmark research papers relating to sprint performance.

3) Loren Seagrave

Loren Seagrave has been hugely successful as a sprint coach. Anyone who has heard him speak at a conference or seminar will realise his success is not down to luck. Whilst the first two on the list could be described as leading experts on specific areas of sprinting performance, Seagrave is immensely knowledgeable in all areas relevant to high performance training.

4) Dan Pfaff

As with Seagrave, Dan Pfaff has enjoyed tremendous success as a coach and is also an outstanding coach educator.

5) Jon Goodwin

Much younger than the first four on this list, Jon Goodwin has perhaps not yet built up the same kind of reputation as others. However, his work on the biomechanics of sprinting is outstanding.

6) Frans Bosch

A professor of biomechanics and motor learning, Bosch has co-authored one of the leading books on sprint training. He was also the Netherlands national team jumps coach from 2003 to 2006 and has acted as support staff to the Netherlands team at two Olympic Games.

7) Tom Tellez

A member of the U.S. track coaches hall of fame, Tellez has produced some of the greatest track and field performers in the history of the sport (Carl Lewis, Leroy Burrell, Mike Marsh to name just a few). Tellez also achieved outstanding team success within the NCAA system during his coaching career.

8) Ronald Klomp

Klomp has supervised top middle-distance runners such as Ellen van Langen, Simon Vroemen, Jim Svenøy, Marcel Laros and Gert-Jan Liefers. Together with Frans Bosch he has written 'Running: Biomechanics and Exercise Physiology in Practice', an outstanding resource for sprint coaches.

9) Kevin Tyler

Although he has had great success as a sprint coach, kevin Tyler has perhaps made his greatest impact in the field as a coach of the coaches. Having set up the hugely successful Canadian Athletics Coaching Centre, he has now moved to UK Athletics where he has dramatically improved coach education provision.

10) John Smith

As an athlete John Smith won the 400m at the 1971 Pan American Games. He has since become one of the worlds most successful sprint coaches, training Maurice Greene and Ato Boldon amongst others.

11) Trevor Graham

Trevor Graham is perhaps controversial in many respects. However, he has coached a large number of world class sprinters.

12) Clyde Hart

Most famously the coach to Michael Johnson, Clyde Hart has coached numerous other world leading sprinters. Hart is arguably the worlds greatest 400m sprint coach.

13) Barry Ross

Barry Ross has a wealth of expertise on sprint training. Read these interviews that I have conducted with Barry Ross to gain an appreciation of his knowledge in this area:

Barry Ross interview 1
Barry Ross interview 2 

14) Steve Plisk

The Proprietor and Director of Excelsior Sports, Steven has over 20 years experience in sports performance and strength and conditioning. Steven is a prolific author and chaired the NSCA Strength and Conditioning Professional Standards and Guidelines project. Steven authored a chapter in Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning on Speed, Agility and Speed-Endurance Development.

15) John Cronin

John Cronin is a leading researcher in the field of strength and conditioning, and he has publsihed a number of papers of great importance with respect to sprint training.

16) Matt Brughelli

Along with Cronin, Brughelli has published some important research pertaining to sprint performance.

17) Matthew Bundle

Matthew Bundle has co-authored many of the key studies into sprinting performance along with Peter Weyand.

18) Glen Mills

Coach to Usain Bolt!

19) Stephen Francis

Another key to the recent Jamaican domination of world sprinting. Francis is the coach to former world record holder Asafa Powell.

20) Bret Contreras

Contreras has made some outstanding contributions to the field of strength and conditioning. Contreras is now studying for his Phd, looking into the transference of horizontal and vertical hip strengthening exercise to speed, acceleration and power adaptations in sports performance.

To gain an insight into his level of expertise, read this interview that I conducted with Bret Contreras:

Bret Contreras Interview 


Honourable mentions:

Charlie Francis

Charlie Francis sadly passed away last year. Francis would certainly have featured prominently in this list.

UK STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING CONSULTANCY

Jacko Gill Shot Put Training

Following on from the original Jacko Gill shot put training video that I posted along with yesterdays Jacko Gill shot put drill video, here is a video of Gill putting it all together with some shot put practice in training.


Training 7.26kg - Jacko Gill from JoséNunoJacko on Vimeo.

UK STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING CONSULTANCY

Shot Put Drills: Jacko Gill

Following on from the video I recently posted of Jacko Gill shot put training, this video below shows some interesting shot put drills being performed by Jacko Gill.


Shot Put Drills - Jacko Gill from JoséNunoJacko on Vimeo.

UK STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING CONSULTANCY

Quote of the Year

Although the year is almost over, I have just read what I think is arguable the best quote of the year.

It comes from Ross Tucker and Jonathan Dugas from Sports Scientists. Here it is:

I don't think I'd go so far as to say that Pistorius is the "villain", though my thoughts on his participation are very clear and I'm happy to repeat over and over why.  And there was the whole issue of a cover-up, the denial of the science etc.  But I am not sure that he is the "villain" in this piece.  What he is is a hugely controversial figure, if you believe in sports science and facts.  If you don't, then he's an inspiration (and I am the villain, thanks to what has been pushed by the PR machine who back him).

The last two sentances sum up the situation perfectly for me.

What are your quotes of the year? Please leave a comment below.

UK STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING CONSULTANCY

Mo Farah 2011 Best Bits

Here's a video for the British Athletics fans amongst us.

If you are in any doubt as to who to vote for BBC Sports Personality of the Year, then this video might make things a lot more clear for you.

Enjoy!



If you enjoyed the Jacko Gill shot put strength and conditioning video I posted the other day, then stay tuned as I have more training footage from Jacko Gill coming up.

UK STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING CONSULTANCY

Jacko Gill Shot Put Training: Rocky Style

I have just come across this training video of World Junior Shot Putt champion Jacko Gill in training. It was great to watch and Gill displayed some very impressive feats of strength, power and speed. His form was also quite often not great too! I am intruiged to find out more about Gill - not least, does he have a coach?

Great video though!

Mo Farah for Sports Personality of the Year

As the British readers will know - the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award is almost upon us.

I think this video sums up why Mo Farah must surely be the favourite and most deserving winner of the BBC Sports Personality if the Year award.