All protocols
5,340 protocols across every category, most recommended first.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsLet Speed Dictate Foot Strike
Do not consciously force heel strike or toe strike while running; let speed determine where the foot lands. Unless a coach is correcting a specific problem, avoid focusing on heel striking or toe striking. If thinking about foot mechanics at all, use the cue 'flat foot contact' and let velocity determine the actual contact point.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsAllow Torso Position to Determine Eye and Chin Position During Sprinting
In sprinting, let the torso determine when the chin and eyes come up; avoid lifting the eyes first, which can create excessive extension.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsMove Torso First and Head Last When Rising
When moving from a bent-over to an upright position, lift the torso first and let the head come up last. This approach is described as improving lifting mechanics and strength.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsMove Chest and Hips Together During Squats and Deadlifts
Use the cue of moving chest and hips at the same time to avoid turning the movement into a good morning and to improve stability.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsPush Feet Into the Ground During Deadlifts
Instead of thinking about pulling the weight off the floor, think about pushing your feet into the ground while driving back.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsFind Opportunities to Get the Knee Behind the Butt
Seek more hip extension in movement; repeatedly emphasized as important for locomotion and movement quality, including during walking.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsUse Movement Quality as the Governor for High-Intensity Work
For sprint or skipping work, stop or rest based on quality of movement rather than just trying to complete a workload.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsMaximally Sprint Safely as a Health Metric
Use the ability to safely express your own maximal speed as a proxy marker of vitality or health.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsDo Bounding if You Can Bound
Bounding is recommended for those capable of it, though it is described as much harder than skipping.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsPay Attention to Shoulder and Hip Motion While Walking
During walks, notice how the hips and shoulders move and counter-rotate, and pay attention to whether you're getting the knee behind the butt.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsAvoid Walking While Looking at Your Phone
Do not walk and look at your phone at the same time because it promotes an unnatural, constrained, flexed posture. If your phone buzzes while walking, stop, move aside, check it, then resume walking.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsUse Mood Words to Guide Sprinting
Instead of many technical cues, use emotional cue words that bundle the desired mechanics. For the first half of a sprint, think 'pressure' and apply as much pressure as possible. For the second half, think 'freedom' or 'peace' rather than technical instructions.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsMove Your Body in Many Different Ways
Rather than only gym exercise, include varied movement and play.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsDo Jump Squats
Suggested as an example of a force-transmission exercise relevant to sprinting.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsDo Hurdle Hops
Suggested as an example of a reactive/reflexive exercise to complement force capacity.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsDo Specific Isometric Strength Training in Sprint Positions
Use run-specific isometric strength work in the position where the foot is under the center of mass, with about 15 degrees of knee bend and 5-10 degrees of hip bend. Methods include pushing against an immovable bar or holding a very heavy bar on one leg in that sprint-specific position. Use 3-5 second holds for 3-4 repetitions and about 3 sets.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsUse Trap Bar Deadlifts Occasionally
Occasionally use parallel-stance trap bar deadlifts for neural drive, not primarily for force production.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsFlex the Big Toe During Training if Possible
Look for opportunities to extend or flex over the big toe as often as possible. When one foot is elevated in gym work, get onto the toe to encourage big-toe extension if possible. If bunions or limitations prevent big-toe extension, using the top of the foot instead is acceptable.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsLook for Opportunities to Extend the Hip in Training
Build hip extension into as many exercises as possible.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsUse Full-Chain Force Transmission Exercises
Favor exercises that transmit force through the whole body, ideally across contralateral chains from left foot to right hand and right foot to left hand.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsUse a Lunge Stretch With Rear Big Toe Loaded
Use a lunge-like stretch with front foot flat, rear foot up on the big toe if possible, rear knee behind the butt, and opposite arm raised overhead to connect the contralateral fascial line. Explore adding rotation, side bending, or a flexed raised hand to improve the stretch. You can also push the rear knee back, push the heel toward the ground, and posteriorly tilt the pelvis to increase the stretch.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsCheck Whether Supplements Are Allowed by Your Sport Organization
Athletes should verify with their governing body before taking supplements or compounds.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsRead Oral Care Product Ingredient Labels
Evaluate toothpaste and other oral care products the way you would food labels; understand ingredients, why they are included, and sourcing.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsChoose Non-Irritating Toothpaste
Choose toothpaste that does not foam or burn; avoid sodium lauryl sulfate and similar foaming agents because they can disrupt oral mucosa and contribute to oral ulceration/canker sores.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsAvoid Strong Essential Oils in Oral Care Products
Avoid toothpastes or products with strong essential oils because they can be highly antimicrobial and may damage beneficial oral bacteria.
- ▶ 1DietLimit Sticky Starchy Snack Foods
Reduce sticky, dried, fermentable starchy foods that adhere to teeth and feed cavity-causing bacteria, such as crackers, toast, chips, and similar snack foods.
- ▶ 1DietFeed Beneficial Oral Bacteria
Prioritize foods that support healthy oral bacteria over foods that feed pathogenic bacteria; examples given include prebiotic fiber, broccoli, and a varied colorful whole-food diet ('eat the rainbow').
- ▶ 1DietWide Array of Vegetables
Consume a wide variety of vegetables as part of a clean whole-food diet; cruciferous vegetables were also specifically noted as supporting detox pathways and helping bind some microplastics.
- ▶ 1DietNuts, Seeds, Olives, and Pickles
Include foods such as nuts, seeds, olives, and pickles as part of a whole-food diet supportive of oral health.
- ▶ 1SupplementsHigh-Quality Probiotic
After antibiotics, take a high-quality probiotic; oral probiotics can also be used specifically to target mouth bacteria. She generally recommends a probiotic pill because it is hard to get enough from foods, especially in kids.