Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Wikipedia
Starting blocks are a device used in the sport of track and field by sprint athletes to hold their feet at the start of a race so they do not slip as they push out at the sound of the gun. For most levels of competition, including all high level international competition, starting blocks are mandatory equipment for the start of sprint races.
The invention of starting blocks is credited to Australian Charlie Booth and his father in 1929.
Prior to their invention, runners would dig holes in the dirt track. Trowels were provided at the start of races. This was not the most consistent or stable system. It also was destructive to the track surface with the holes having to be filled for subsequent runners. When George Simpson became the first person to run 9.4 seconds for the 100 yard dash in 1930, his record was disallowed because he used starting blocks.
Wood was the first material used, with some tracks having permanently placed wooden starting blocks with golden structures at the start line. Portable blocks were held by long metal spikes that needed to be pounded into the ground. These devices evolved to metal blocks. The common blocks of the 1960s were heavy and adjusted by screws that were frequently broken or became rusted over the years. Lighter weight blocks were made of sheet metal. Nick Newton's innovative design uses cast aluminum.
The rubberized surfaces of new all-weather running tracks that became common starting in the 1970s, made the old blocks even less secure. Original Tartan tracks left long holes to secure the blocks but most tracks today require blocks to be held by small spikes similar to the ones used in shoes. Block slippage was common enough that it is an allowable loophole in the rules to recall the start of a race without calling a false start against an athlete whose blocks slip. In some amateur settings, such as high school track, since block slippage is much more common due to lower quality track surface material and/or starting blocks' spike quality, it is a commonly accepted practice to allow another person (usually a teammate) to sit on the ground behind the starting block and place their feet behind each block, using their leg power to further reduce the chance for the blocks to slip back upon the runner launching out of them.
Generally most races of 400 meters or shorter allow athletes to use starting blocks. Most runners in the 800 meters at the 1956 Olympics used starting blocks from a waterfall start.
Modern blocks used for world records now must have sensors that detect the pressure from the athlete and can be used to time their reaction to the starting gun. Athletes who react faster than 1/10th of a second can be charged with a false start and the race recalled. Many also carry electronic speakers so the sound of the gun arrives at the ears of the athletes at exactly the same time.
Usage examples of "starting blocks".
On grass, no starting blocks, just hands resting on her knees and off.
Like the rest of the team, he was like a sprinter in the starting blocks, poised to go, but having to wait for the gun to fire.
He rocked on one foot like he was about to bolt, but kept stopping himself, like a sprinter straining against the starting blocks.
There was nothing below but the starting blocks, the lines marking the lanes, and the hurdles set up at intervals.
I think he'd made up his mind I was going to finish up with a dum-dum in the left ventricle and his feet were already on the starting blocks.
Finally he could stand the pain no longer, and he carefully leaned forward, momentarily assuming the position of a runner in the starting blocks, alternately stretching each leg out behind him.
And I will phone you precisely at twelve noon tomorrow and we'll get out the old starting blocks again.
Often the difference between the amateur and the professional was their quickness off the starting blocks, not their martial arts skill.
They've already got the place booked with a SOCOM exercise for the next four weeks, so I thought-since we're still in the starting blocks-that we could release our guys for the Christmas holidays and pick up the schedule in January.
This prison, compared to Alcatraz, was off the starting blocks and over the finish line before Alcatraz could take a step.
I knew if I made a move it would have to be like a sprinter out of the starting blocks and I wanted my strongest leg in back to push off with.
The runners took their place in the starting blocks, except for Remo who chose to stand at the start line.
Rincewind rose from them like a man leaving the starting blocks, and when he landed his feet were already making running movements in the air.