Why why why do coaches insist this is gospel??? Is it ideal? No. Is it quite often necessary? Yes. Can it be advantageous? Yes. End of discussion.
Because many coaches are set in their ways. You ask them why and they don't have an answer or they make up something. Some coaches aren't open to change and this is the way someone told them was right and they just keep it going.
I agree with you and it's the reason I don't think Bol is a total cinch in Glasgow, despite the time edge. She tried to pass on the curve and got stuck in lane 2 for the entirety of the semifinal in 2022 against Stephanie McPherson. When Bol gets nervous she has a tendency to tie up. The race looked very similar to the end of the mixed relay last year. It's just a matter of whether or not Alexis Holmes can get a good lane in the final and beat Bol to the break:
Follow-up on that, Athing Mu in the indoor 400 at NCAAs 2021. If you can win the break, you can slow down and force your opponent wide on the curves and speed up on the straights to fend them off. Forces them to use a lot of extra energy.
USC's Kaelin Roberts runs neck and neck with Texas A&M's Athing Mu but ends up breaking away in the final stretch to take the win in the 400M with a time of ...
Running isn't an intellectual activity. Thinking is rarely observed on a track.
Only if one is the absolute best. Otherwise there's a lot of tactics and constant analysis going on by the main contenders.
No, there isn't. We see that only a few out there are smart racers. There are whole threads about that; about top runners adopting the wrong tactics for the race or even having no tactics or plan. But we do see that some that can think while they race beat those who can't.
This has been happening since before I was born, all throughout my childhood, into my teenage years, all the way through college, and ever since.
WHY WHY WHY do people make weak moves to try and pass somebody on the curve in indoor track? Then they end up running in lane 2 for the entire race or the ultimately end up slamming into each other. Go to any meet at any indoor facility at any level of track and field from juniors all the way up to the pros, and there is a 100% chance that this will happen at least 10x. Hell, it happens 8x per each heat of the mile relay.
It's the most frustrating thing in the world to watch. It's like the old saying "The only things certain in life are death and taxes." I'd like to add "and an upcoming new generation of rocket scientists trying to pass on the curve in indoor track."
Watch centro put on a masterclass in racing tactics. Sorta did well in Rio too. Stupid Centro haters.
I wonder how Centro became such a good tactician. Talent? Practice simulation? Visualization? It’s definitely something that needs to be explored more.
My bro science take is that on flat short tracks, passing on curves can be wise. My longer legs are allowed to more efficiently deal. I doubt this applies to banked tracks.
the real question is why do people race indoors? It's just dumb.
You're not going to have some sort of "2 peak" year by racing in winter. Not at least where your indoor peak will match your outdoor peak, or improve it at all.
This is like if NHL players spent the summer playing roller hockey. Would they maybe stay in better shape, maybe. Would be really be hockey, no. Indoor track isn't real track.
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