Running Mechanics Question

What distance? If he is a sprinter or jumper that is a great thing. Really hard to get most kids to put force down. If he is a sprinter, don't mess with it just teach him how to accelerate.

If he is distance, get him to do skips for distance a lot as a drill during warm ups a lot. Don't over coach it. Once he feels pushing more horizontal tell him to do the same while running.

Thanks for the reply 'what distance'.He runs mid-distance and cross-country.

What distance wrote:

What distance? If he is a sprinter or jumper that is a great thing. Really hard to get most kids to put force down. If he is a sprinter, don't mess with it just teach him how to accelerate.

If he is distance, get him to do skips for distance a lot as a drill during warm ups a lot. Don't over coach it. Once he feels pushing more horizontal tell him to do the same while running.

I suggest actually getting his economy measured rather than relying on how bouncy he is. Data out of Eastern Michigan leans toward vertical oscillation being unreliable in terms of determining economy.

luv2run wrote:

I suggest actually getting his economy measured rather than relying on how bouncy he is. Data out of Eastern Michigan leans toward vertical oscillation being unreliable in terms of determining economy.

Sry to correct you but you are wrong on this one.

Vertical head oscillation is indicative of over striding, help him relax and not take such a long stride....focus on foot landing directly under center of gravity.

At times a backside mechanics strength magnifies this......if he has a high recovery leg (heel comes through high near the butt) then lower abs, weak hip flexors and quads need some work.

work on knee ups, knee drives and lots of lower ab work.

Cheers.

sophomore wrote:

I currently coach a 16 year boy. He is a strong for his age, however, I believe his economy may be holding him back. He has very dynamic stride, but almost to a flaw because he is quite ‘bouncy’ and I feel this causes, him to fatigue more quickly (especially on the track, where the speed and intensity are higher). With this in mind, are there drills and cues that I can use with him to ‘bring him back down to earth’? What do I need to focus on, so that the power he is generating propels him forward and not upward. Any suggestions and/or tips would be very helpful.

Same question here!

sophomore wrote:

I currently coach a 16 year boy. He is a strong for his age, however, I believe his economy may be holding him back. He has very dynamic stride, but almost to a flaw because he is quite ‘bouncy’ and I feel this causes, him to fatigue more quickly (especially on the track, where the speed and intensity are higher). With this in mind, are there drills and cues that I can use with him to ‘bring him back down to earth’? What do I need to focus on, so that the power he is generating propels him forward and not upward. Any suggestions and/or tips would be very helpful.

Get 12 haybales, set up in 3-stack configuration in 4 spots around the track, same spots as steeplechase barriers. Let him practice over them. See how he likes it.

Thanks again. I appreciate the serious replies.

I would have him use a stride count 180 per minute (90 each foot). That in addition to the drills mentioed should be a good start.

>>>>I would have him use a stride count 180 per minute (90 each foot). That in addition to the drills mentioned should be a good start.

I agree with the stride count. 180 is really good and not easy to achieve. Have him count just his right foot and X it by 2 to get his total (assuming he only has 2 legs :-) 172 or 86 would be good - more even better -

Is he as bouncy as Jager? That would be a good thing.

https://vimeo.com/5457354

Jager doesn't bounce it his long hair that causes an illusory bouncing effect.