Although 100-metre sprinters may be the only athletes to reach maximal velocity capabilities consistently, all running athletes should understand the posture and mechanics required to attain and maintain maximal or near-maximal sprinting speed. Football, soccer and rugby players may have to demonstrate maximal velocity abilities on open-fi eld runs over distances of 30 to 50 metres. As an athlete transitions out of the acceleration phase of a sprint effort, the shift in posture from a driving acceleration to upright sprinting will necessitate an up-and-down action from both the legs and the arms. As maximal force is generated from the highest point in the stride down towards the ground, it is important to emphasise the need for both a high-hip and high-knee position during maximal velocity sprinting. In order to accomplish this leg positioning, athletes must achieve frontside dominant stride mechanics. Additionally, the arms must also demonstrate a strong front-side presence to match the forces produced by the lower body.8From a close examination of fi gure 11.12, it is apparent that the athlete’s foot recovers high and tight to the buttocks and hamstrings, setting up a high-knee position on the front side of the stride cycle. Because the athlete’s leg is hinged at the hip, the downward sweep of the leg also produces horizontal propulsion on its way down to the ground. However, the athlete is not reaching in front of his or her body to paw at the ground. The athlete is only focusing on producing signifi cant downward force. This effort is matched by the action of the upper limbs with the athlete’s hand travelling well in front of the face and then downward toward the hip.