PaceSetter Book

Speed Activities 6

The drill is initially performed by the young athlete walking over one side of the first two hurdles so that only the ‘trail’ leg is actually going over the hurdle. He or she can then gradually speed up a little so that by the last two or three hurdles of a line of six or seven the activity is carried out at speed. The trail leg action can also be developed as follows: WEB COPY ©EVEQUE 1) walk over hurdles with three high knee steps between each hurdle 2) run over hurdles with three high knee steps between each hurdle Move hurdles closer together and; Once again, as the height of the hurdle increases, in order to maintain efficiency over the hurdles the following technique will need to be adopted: (a) Trail leg is pulled around and forwards with ankle tucked in and toes rotated up. (b) Trail leg continues round and forwards into a high knee sprint action. (c) The young athlete continues with a driving sprint action. After isolating specific elements of the hurdle technique to correct faults and improve technique, the young athlete can then perform the activity as a whole action over the middle of the hurdle. However, mixing centre / lead / trail leg drills reinforces effective hurdle sprinting. Hurdling is primarily a sprinting event so development of quick action and leg speed is essential. WEB COPY ©EVEQUE 3) walk over hurdles with one high knee step between each hurdle 4) run over hurdles with one high knee step between each hurdle

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