How to Measure Sprint Split Times With a 0–10–20 m Setup

Use three timing points at 0, 10 and 20 m. The first starts the clock, the second records an intermediate time, and the third records the finish. Subtract the cumulative 10 m time from the 20 m time to find the time for the second segment.

Set up three measurement points

Measure from the detection points, with the first sensor defining 0 m. Keep the 10 m and 20 m sensors in line along the same running lane. Mark where the athlete’s front foot starts behind the first detection point and leave room to slow down beyond the finish.

Before testing, walk through the sequence. Check that the display reports both an intermediate reading and a finish time. Some systems show cumulative time from the start. Others also show the time spent in each segment. Label the columns so they cannot be confused.

Read the time you actually need

Suppose the display shows 1.96 seconds at 10 m and 3.44 seconds at 20 m. The first segment took 1.96 seconds and the second took 1.48 seconds. The second segment’s average speed was about 6.76 m/s. That speed applies to the full 10 m segment.

If the finish time improves but the first split is unchanged, look at what happened after 10 m. You have a useful place to review the run. A split time alone gives no direct evidence about the athlete’s technique, fatigue or fastest instantaneous speed.

Build a baseline before reading small changes

Use the same start offset, system, surface and scoring rule at each session. Store both split values and the total for every valid run. Comparing the fastest 10 m from one run and the fastest 20 m from another creates a combination the athlete may never have run.

Start with our 20 m sprint setup and add the middle timing point when you are ready to track splits.

Request a MotionTrials demo if you want to test the setup with your athletes.

Sources

• Research on reliability of 0–10 m and 10–20 m splits

• MotionTrials split sensor options

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