Theraband!

THERABAND! Holy Grail of Hip Flexion & Dorsiflexion Training
Coach Mason,
I just ordered a Thera-band Silver (Super-Heavy) resistance tubing and extremity straps ($30.00). Ransom and Beth use Thera-bands for physical therapy, but I bought ones that are for athletic use. Check: http://www.thera-band.com/store/products.php?ProductID=27
They will be useful for strengthening the hip flexors and dorsiflexors (which cannot be strengthened sufficiently through our practices). First, this will develop an impressive block start and acceleration. I can imagine an assistant holding the other end of the tube while the athlete has an ankle strapped with the other end. The athlete can then focus on exploding horizontally on the block (he/she has to, because the tubing is resisting in the horizontal direction) through simultaneous hip extension and hip flexion.
Second, for the maximum velocity sprint mechanics, specifically the "scissor legs" that you described yesterday, we can improve it by mimicking the joint angle that produces the long stride length; we can have the athlete have his/her legs in a lunge position, while having him/her focus on explosive hip flexion. Of course, the athlete would need someone to hold on to for balance.
Last, we can use the Thera-band as a substitute for a parachute. We can have an assistant, by pulling behind the athlete, to resist the athlete's forward motion, hence progressively overloading the muscles producing horizontal motion. Then we have a faster athlete. Voila!
They should arrive on Wed, Thurs, or Fri.
SWEET.

Edderic