Learning proper form

There are many myths circulating about how to sprint and hurdle well. Here are a few common ones:

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• sprint up on your toes

• get into a nice rhythm between hurdles

• lean forward when you sprint

• get high over the hurdle

• sprinting is all about leg speed

• float over the hurdles

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These instructions often come from well intended parents who are reaching back into their memories for what their PE teacher told them in high school, or from coaches/PE teachers who haven't updated their knowedge for a while.

There's a whole science to good sprinting and hurdling form and this science has progressed a lot in the last 10-20 years!

Judging by the instructions flying around many tracks, a lot of people don't realise this. Inadvertently, these well-intended people are setting kids off with bad habits that will need to be undone at some point if they're to reach their potential.

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Learn good technique!

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Everyone comes to athletics with their own intuitive approach to these activities. Some elements might be helpful, others are not. Indeed some practices (e.g. planting your foot in front of your body) are literally applying the brakes! It's much easier to learn good form at the outset than to have to unlearn bad habits that already have momentum.

But of course, even if those habits have already formed, they can be changed - it may just take a little more time depending on how quickly the athlete learns.

Athletes of any age are welcome. All you need is reasonable body awareness and control, the desire to learn, and the commitment to practice. With these ingredients we can get you hurdling and sprinting as well as your body is able to.