At FAST Running, our training doesn’t end when the spikes come off. On Fridays, High Performance Coach Steve Dodt leads our athletes through a carefully structured strength and mobility session designed to target one of the most important — but often overlooked — keys to sprint performance: core control.
This isn’t your average ab workout. It’s a deep dive into how the body moves at sprint speed — and how the core resists, stabilises, and connects motion between the upper and lower body.
About the Coach: Science Meets Experience
With more than two decades of experience and an impressive list of coaching credentials, Steve Dodt brings unmatched depth and clarity to FAST’s performance programming:
- Level 4 High Performance Coach (Sprints, Relays, Hurdles)
- Specialisation – Jumps Coach
- Level 2 Development Coach
- Recreational Running Coach
- Accredited Strength & Mobility Educator
- Over sixty national medalists coached and over 150 top-ten national finishes.
Steve’s blend of technical knowledge, sports science application, and individualised coaching makes Friday sessions not only physically beneficial — but mentally engaging and athlete-focused.
Core Focus: Why It Matters for Sprinting
Sprinting isn’t just about legs — it’s about transferring force efficiently through the entire kinetic chain. That’s where the core comes in.
Each Friday session targets:
- Anti-Rotation Strength: To stabilise the torso against twisting forces during aggressive arm drive and hip rotation
- Anti-Flexion Control: To maintain trunk stiffness during ground contact and push-off
- Pelvic Positioning: Crucial for maintaining hip height and front-side mechanics
- Upper–Lower Body Linking: Creating seamless coordination between arm drive and stride power
The result? Faster force application, improved sprint posture, and reduced injury risk — all built from the centre out.
Innovation in Training: More Than Just Reps
Friday sessions draw on the latest in sports science and motor control research, using tools such as:
- Bands, cables, and med balls to challenge reactive stability
- Timed holds and controlled movement sequences to build awareness and resilience
- Video feedback and cue-based instruction to refine form
- Strategic progression from static to dynamic drills that mimic sprinting demands
This method builds athletes who don’t just look strong — they move with intention, precision, and power.
What It Means for FAST Athletes
Whether you’re gunning for national medals or refining mechanics as a developing athlete, Friday’s strength and mobility work is a cornerstone of FAST Running’s holistic approach to sprint training.
By building stability and control where it matters most, Coach Steve Dodt is helping athletes unlock new levels of speed, agility, and efficiency — while staying healthy and confident throughout the season.
Interested in training with a team that backs every drill with knowledge and purpose?
Join FAST Running and experience how sports science meets sprint excellence.
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