Su Bingtian vs Usain Bolt - who has the better technique?

Stuart McMillan compares the sprinting techniques of Su Bingtian and Usain Bolt to challenge the idea of a single optimal technical model.

Two athletes. Two very different sprinting strategies. Both world-class. Su Bingtian and Usain Bolt demonstrate something important about sprint mechanics: athletes can achieve exceptional performances using very different movement strategies. Yet much of how we teach sprinting is still influenced by the search for an optimal technical model. In this extract from Month 6 of the ALTIS Team Speed Coach Certification, Stuart McMillan challenges that thinking. The question is whether we're assessing what an athlete actually needs, or measuring them against a model developed from someone else's movement. Stu uses Su Bingtian's development under Randy Huntington to illustrate the importance of understanding individual constraints, measuring how athletes produce speed, and revisiting those measurements as training progresses. And you don't need a sophisticated biomechanics lab to begin applying these principles. Basic video, a measured distance, and consistent observation can tell you a great deal about an athlete's sprinting strategy. The important part is returning to those measurements as the athlete develops. Are you coaching the individual, or coaching towards an average? 🎓 This extract comes from 'The Su Bingtian Case' which is one of Stuart McMillan's Month 6 modules in the ALTIS Team Speed Coach Certification. Developed with Les Spellman and Danny Foley, this six-month certification brings together the science, practical application, and health considerations involved in developing speed for team sport. ⏳ We start October 19th — just 8 days away! Final registration is now open, with limited places remaining. 🔗 loom.ly/u1Uvkgg