50 kids X 6 sprints each: that makes 300 sandwich sprints!

On Wednesday we practiced starting skills by playing the sandwich sprinting game. Using the suggestions of the runners we came up with some yummy sandwich ingredients they would use to make a sandwich:

peanut butter

jelly

honey

tomatoes

lettuce

whole wheat bread

Altogether this makes for an interesting sort of sandwich but I wasn't going to argue with the Lochside chefs. Using the grass field as a track and the white line on the basketball court as the starting line, the kids had to sprint under my start commands across the field to get an ingredient for the sandwich. After six sprints, they would have their PB and J and tomato and lettuce sandwich!

I put my trusty assistant Maia at the other end of the field as the ingredient counter, but when the first line of runners raced across to her, she started running away like they were a swarm of bees so after that we used the soccer goal post as the finish.

For the first few sprints there were a lot of excited runners and false starts, and toes that were in front of the line. Kids could hardly wait to start and by the time I got to 'get set!', they were already off and sprinting. By the end of the game, by the time we were at the bread part, and almost finished the sandwich, the runners were able to focus on the commands and the starts were clean.

Things we learned about starts:

1. Runners line up with their toes behind a start line.
2. Crouch down a little with one foot in front, arms in the 'ready' position.
3. Take a breath and relax, so you will be able to start fast.
4. Listen carefully to the start commands of the starter and be quick only when they yell 'Go' or sound the whistle.

Now, we are all almost ready for our first meet next week! On Monday we will do some more running and getting ready for the race. If you have any questions about the race, please ask!

Question of the day:

What is a False Start?

A 'false start' is when a runner leaves too soon, before the official in charge starts the race. When there is a false start, the runners have to return to the start line and the race has to be re-started so that it's fair for all runners! Have you ever heard of the expression "Jump the Gun" for when someone goes ahead too soon? That expression comes from when an athlete leaves or runs before the starting gun in a race.

What do elite athletes do?

Runners get to the start line prepared. They do a jog before the race to get their bodies and muscles warmed up for the start. They usually wear extra clothes while warming up, and then take them off right before the start. In the last moments on the start line, they stay relaxed, happy and calm and focus only on the starter's signals and getting ready to start fast!

Remember to give me your stories, art or poems for the site! I will post them!

See you Monday!

Lucy