What is a quick 40m Time

[Guest]

Recently a NZ Rugby player, by the name of Joe Rokocoko clocked a 4.6? 40m time.

This was reported as being the quickest ever by an All Black.

There was some footage of it being done, in road shoes, indoors in a gymnasium.

The timing was electronic, with two gates 40m apart timing starts when the first is broken and stopped when the last is broken.

The athletes stand as close as possible to first gate without breaking, and have standing up start stance.

Is this quick by international sprinting standards?
What is a quick 40m time?

[Jon]

Re: What is a quick 40m Time

Using the 'purdy scales', a 4.6 40m time is the equivalent of a 10.02 100m and a 20.33 200m. This doesn't necessarily mean that he is capable of running those times (all depends on his technique and top-end speed, etc), but it gives an indication as to how good a 4.6 timing is.

[gh]

Re: What is a quick 40m Time

If he REALLY ran that fast, he's in the wrong sport. Ben Johnson in his 9.79, with a phenomenal start, went through 40m in 4.69. Carl Lewis, who ended up with the gold (and the WR, I might add) passed through in 4.81.

The fact that there's no reaction time built in, and even with "close to the gate" start (which means he's already moving when he hits the beam) suggests at least an 0.2 adjustment required.

No matter what kind of football they're playing, and what system they use to measure their 40s, nice to see that on both sides of the equator they're full of kaka!

[tafnut]

Re: What is a quick 40m Time

We've discussed the vagaries of 40 (m or y) times but essentially here is the problem: lack of standardization in measuring. You say:
"The timing was electronic, with two gates 40m apart timing starts when the first is broken and stopped when the last is broken."
Which means that the (at least) .2 seconds of reaction and initial startup must be added on - so now we're at 4.8 (why was it not in 100ths if the start and finish were 'electronic'?). The best ever 40m is somewhere around 4.70, which leads me to believe his 4.8 is generous. If Carl was around 4.70 in perfect conditions, I strenuously doubt this lad was at 4.8, which brings us back to the priginal premise: we can't tell without FAT.

[tafnut]

Re: What is a quick 40m Time

Oops, our responses passed in cyber-space - I defer.

[gh]

Re: What is a quick 40m Time

Here's another number for you: getting away with a false start (0.90) and running on the rock-hard Tokyo track in '91, Dennis Mitchell ran only 4.68.

[Guest]

Re: What is a quick 40m Time

I don't doubt the time. I live downunder.
There are lots of players that can run sub 11 seconds for 100m.
I know (and think they know) that they would not be able to get down below 10s or match the best sprinters in the world.
So they get $100,000+ per year playing Rugby Union or League.
It is really simple decision that they make at age 18-20: why train your butt off for years, travel the world and never make a final, have to pay your won way around because you can't win prizemoney and get endoursements!! OR
The other option is to train in a team with your mates, get paid $100,000 per year or more, get to travel all expenses paid. Are a national hero. And it don't matter if you get drunk once every weekend and carry a few extra kgs around. The life of a professional Rugby Player is much easier and desirable then that of a B-grade sprinter.

[Guest]

Re: What is a quick 40m Time

Ok I am a New Zealander! So I watched the 40m on tv. Now the thing is is that rugby wings(like joe) have to have great acceleration and not only raw speed, but also single leg "side stepping" speed to run around players. I am pretty sure he could run a 10.2 sec 100m, taking into account that he is 99kg body weight. The 40m was run in running shoes which almost makes it unbelievable! He actually was the NZ schools long jump champ, but then got turned off to rugby because of the various money incentives of rugby. Rugby steals many promising athletes in the southern hemisphere. How about Jonah Lomu, who could run an 11 sec 100m, long jump over 6m, triple jump all at 6 foot 4 inches tall and 115kg body weight! By the way that was at 17 years old! Man He could of been the next randy barnes!

[The King]

Re: What is a quick 40m Time

>If he REALLY ran that fast, he's in the wrong
>sport. Ben Johnson in his 9.79, with a phenomenal
>start, went through 40m in 4.69. Carl Lewis, who
>ended up with the gold (and the WR, I might add)
>passed through in 4.81.

Actually, according to Scientific Split Times Analysis by the IAAF from the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games, Ben Johnosn went through the 40m en-route mark in a time of 4.66s.

Note he had a 0.132s reaction time.

How was this guy's (the guy who ran 4.6s)40m timed???

If it was timed from the first motion of movement that he made, it is worth aprroximaterly 0.65s slower.

Were the timers 'decent'? Did they know how to time properly?

Was there a gun? Or a whistle? Or even a starter saying 'GO!!!'???

Please explain.

Thankyou

[The King]

Re: What is a quick 40m Time

Oh sorry, I see you (Gavin) have already explained the methods of timing.

I hadn't read it, I only replied to the topic.

Sorry!!!

I should read before I reply.....

[Guest]

Re: What is a quick 40m Time

I'm pretty sure, there was no 'go' as such players just go when they are ready.

[Guest]

Re: What is a quick 40m Time

to all the seppos out there who have no idea who these rugby players are .... don't believe the hype!!!! the us 4x1's not about to start getting flogged by a bunch of nz or australian rugby players ... the women's team wouldn't have much trouble with them either.

[Guest]

Re: What is a quick 40m Time

>to all the seppos out there who have no idea who
>these rugby players are .... don't believe the
>hype!!!! the us 4x1's not about to start getting
>flogged by a bunch of nz or australian rugby
>players ... the women's team wouldn't have much
>trouble with them either.


No-one is hyping these guys up to be sprinters or a threat to any sprint teams or athletes. They seem to just be clarifying that there are some guys on other sports who can run darn fast - but can't quite cut it as a sprinter so settle for (from what looks to me) like quite a good professional career in another sport.

But having said that if these guys can run all below 11 seconds, and I've seen nothing to doubt it, then they would not have trouble stringing together to beat the females.

[Guest]

Re: What is a quick 40m Time

Many US football players have vicious acceleration too, but the difference is that they can't sustain it for the full 100 meters. This is due to the extra bulk they have. All I remember is watching a US regional trackmeet and watching Raghib Ishmael bolting out of the blocks with the lead and dieing at about the 40 meter mark and finishing about 6th ouf eight guys........

[Guest]

Re: What is a quick 40m Time

he wasn't called the Rocket for nothing! Napolean McCallum (sp?) ran a NFL 4.21 according to SI.