In this video I discuss ways that elite hurdlers can learn to "tap dance" between the hurdles and thus create space without feeling the need to back off or slow down.
No I wouldn’t. Not unless they’re having the issue of getting too crowded between hurdles. But the spacing increases as they go up in age, so emphasizing quickness too early in their development could end up backfiring later on.
I have been seeing an issue with breaking and locking the takeoff leg into the hurdle, causing the lead leg to begin to cycle and then swing out. After watching videos on more advanced hurdlers, I am starting to see a pattern where no matter where the hurdler is in the race( 1st hurdle, 2-5, 6-10 )there is a slight bend to that knee going into take off then it immediately pushes off. However, the alternative is the leg locks at the end of the "swing phase" during the penultimate step, breaks into the track, and has positive foot speed instead of negative: the foot does not move under the hips, has to unlock and then pushes off the ground. If you have any videos addressing this it would be a great deal if not I can start making some videos I just wanted to make sure if this could be worth implementing (slight bend in take-off leg on the initial touchdown)or is it simply a red herring.
Hey Erich, let me make sure I got what you’re saying correctly. Are you talking about the trail leg locking at the knee as it pushes off the ground? And that that causes the lead leg to swing?
@@stevemcgillhurdles Yes I could be looking at it wrong but before the hurdle the foot leads out before take off I reread some articles and there is an attempt to lead with the knee however the lead leg knee is pointing down before take off I may need to look at some flat sprinting and correct that first.
@@Sealae80 I think that all sprinters/hurdlers run with some back-kick, just because the force of attacking the ground causes it. The best sprinters minimize it, but don’t eliminate it. I think that’s what you’re seeing with hurdlers with the knee pointing down for an instant before the knee drives forward to attack the crossbar. I always say, as long as you stay dorsiflexed, you’re good. If you lose your dorsiflexion, then you won’t be able to lead with the knee and the leg will swing from the hip.
@Steve McGill yes after looking at the tape on the flat they were cycle in front an swinging in front instead of cycling underneath they say it feels like their legs are behind them but they are no longer braking in acceleration and into the hurdle and they look and feel smoother running
Thank you ! I loved learning about the Tap dance.
Much appreciated!
Some great points made...thanks.
As always great excellent video. Wondering…would you recommend using the lane drill with youth hurdlers
No I wouldn’t. Not unless they’re having the issue of getting too crowded between hurdles. But the spacing increases as they go up in age, so emphasizing quickness too early in their development could end up backfiring later on.
@@stevemcgillhurdles ohhh makes perfect sense. Thank you.
I have been seeing an issue with breaking and locking the takeoff leg into the hurdle, causing the lead leg to begin to cycle and then swing out. After watching videos on more advanced hurdlers, I am starting to see a pattern where no matter where the hurdler is in the race( 1st hurdle, 2-5, 6-10 )there is a slight bend to that knee going into take off then it immediately pushes off. However, the alternative is the leg locks at the end of the "swing phase" during the penultimate step, breaks into the track, and has positive foot speed instead of negative: the foot does not move under the hips, has to unlock and then pushes off the ground. If you have any videos addressing this it would be a great deal if not I can start making some videos I just wanted to make sure if this could be worth implementing (slight bend in take-off leg on the initial touchdown)or is it simply a red herring.
Hey Erich, let me make sure I got what you’re saying correctly. Are you talking about the trail leg locking at the knee as it pushes off the ground? And that that causes the lead leg to swing?
@@stevemcgillhurdles Yes I could be looking at it wrong but before the hurdle the foot leads out before take off I reread some articles and there is an attempt to lead with the knee however the lead leg knee is pointing down before take off I may need to look at some flat sprinting and correct that first.
@@Sealae80 I think that all sprinters/hurdlers run with some back-kick, just because the force of attacking the ground causes it. The best sprinters minimize it, but don’t eliminate it. I think that’s what you’re seeing with hurdlers with the knee pointing down for an instant before the knee drives forward to attack the crossbar. I always say, as long as you stay dorsiflexed, you’re good. If you lose your dorsiflexion, then you won’t be able to lead with the knee and the leg will swing from the hip.
@Steve McGill yes after looking at the tape on the flat they were cycle in front an swinging in front instead of cycling underneath they say it feels like their legs are behind them but they are no longer braking in acceleration and into the hurdle and they look and feel smoother running