In this post we’re going to cover some fundamentals of the high jump, and a couple of things that are opinion and debated in high jump circles, like how to initiate the curve. These ideas are based on Brian Clymer’s presentations.
In this post I’m going to reveal three common errors in the long jump, high jump and triple jump that USA Olympic team jumps coach Boo Schexnayder determines. I will also share effective coaching strategies you can use to eliminate a host of problems associated with each phase of a jump.
There’s three different types of rhythm in the hurdle race:
The rhythm to hurdle 1
The rhythm into and off of the hurdle
The rhythm in between the hurdles
Today we’re going to talk about the rhythm into and off of each hurdle. We’re going to address how we train them, how we implement them, how to drill them…, all different ways of reinforcing rhythm and hurdle workouts so that it comes together when they try to race.
Today I’m going to highlight coach Boo Schexnayder’s teaching progressions for the rotational shot put, while addressing preliminary movements such as the grip, stand and wind. In this post, I define the differences in the positioning of the rotational style and the glide style, offering effective strategies to teach both styles. Consistent results in the throwing events begin with locating common mistakes made by your athletes and learning how to perfect these errors well before they step foot in a throwing circle.
The remedial crossover series are a basic approach maneuver and is comprised of exercises outlined by track and field coach Boo Schexnayder used to teach the shuffle and the proceeding crossovers. These movements are essential to the proper set up for the delivery in the javelin, discus, and rotational shot put events. Consistent results in the throwing events begin with locating common mistakes made by your athletes and learning how to perfect these errors well before they step foot in a throwing circle.
In this post I’m going to introduce two exercises designed by Boo Schexnayder to teach upper and lower body mechanics in the throwing events. These drills are simple and easy to follow, allowing the thrower to focus on basic mechanics during each phase of the throw.
Track and field coach Latif Thomas likes to simplify teaching sprint drills to his athletes. In this post, we’re going to discuss how he addresses the proper way to both teach and perform drills such as the “A-March”, the “A-Skip” and the “Fast Leg”. Remember that drills don’t teach or fix full speed technique. They just reinforce proper ranges of motion.
In this post I provide you the Latif Thomas’ step-by-step approach for teaching all the skills of acceleration and top speed running, including all of his best coaching cues and strategies.
Teaching speed and sprint technique should not be limited just to sprint drills. According to Jacksonville University Head Coach Ron Grigg, sprint drills do not directly translate to good sprint mechanics because the essential ingredient of force application to the ground is eliminated in most sprint drills. Sprint drills are good for teaching the mechical concepts. They are good for specific dynamic mobility. They train coordination in a general sense. And in some populations of young athletes or distance athletes, traditional sprint drills can serve as light plyometrics. Boo Schexnayder perhaps said the best quote: “While these exercises provide an opportunity to address many aspects of running mechanics, the intensities found in the exercises are not sufficient to elicit the reflexes found in competition. Thus, sprint drills do not improve running mechanics directly. Creating carryover to the event itself becomes the task of the coach.” So the best and most specific sprint drill is good sprinting itself. How can we create the carryover? The single best tool is the wicked drill created by Vince Anderson, coach at Texas A&M University.
It’s amazing how many sprinters loose speed through external rotation. Learn some quick fixes for one of the most common speed killers out there. When sprinting, you want to line up your forces and hit it as hard as you can. Any external rotation will cause your speed to drop. Something as simple as a slight head movement can carry over into the hands and the feet, causing wasted movement and slower times. On top of all of that, if you’re in a competition and step out of your lane, you can get disqualified.