Official Starter Clinic

ENDURO Sports USATM - P R E S E N T S T H E - 2017 “Official Starter” Clinic

INTRODUCTION: Every year there are millions of track athletes participating in tens of thousands of track meets started by thousands of different starters. Each starter brings a unique background and set of experiences to this task. Despite working under a specific set of rules governing the starting of races, there often can be wide variability in the way races are started from one starter to another or from one region of the country to another, or even within a small geographic area. While variety may be "the spice of life", too much variety in the way starters handle a start can be very disconcerting for the athlete on the starting line. The start of each race should be a time when athletes can focus on their performance and not have to worry about just how this particular starter operates. At the start of a race, all actions and activities of a good starter will be conducive to a calm atmosphere that allows the athletes to focus their attention on their start. CLINIC POINTS OF INTEREST: Characteristics of a Good Starter Pre-Meet Activities Recall Starters Instructions to Competitors Position of Starter and Recall Starters Sprint races - straightaway Sprint races - staggered starts Distance races Starter's Stance and Mannerisms Voice Commands Arm Signals Starter to finish line (and competitors) Recall starters to starter Relay races Reasons to Halt the Starting Process False Starts - What to Look For and How to Handle Them

Return To: Official Starter™ Introduction

Points of Interest for the 2017 Clinic: USATF "Monograph for Starters" Adopted from the works of Eric D. Zemper, Ph.D. To view, click HERE

Always Moving Forward guided by Respect and Reality™ - - - while Simply Having Fun™