What does it mean if your coach wants you to run the steeplechase?

Wise Old Man wrote:

Another hs coach wrote:

No college coach is going to waste their time moving a kid to a technical event unless they see potential for points. Way easier to train them for 5k than steeple. Steeple is for certain types of runners, and not bc they aren’t good at other events. Although it’s definitely the case that if your best event is closer to 3k than 5k or mile, you’re going to have to get used to running the steeple. I’d see it as an opportunity and vote of confidence which may or may not work out.

This is what I told my daughter. Better to be in the first (if only) heat in the steeple right now and have a chance to score than in the B heat of the 1500. It suggests the coaches are paying attention. A lot of the other freshman are just running in the “non scoring” heats of the other races. The coach didn’t demand she do it, but rather suggested she practice and try, and she was up for trying. Even after face planting she’s up for trying again. I’ll be interested to see how it plays out. I suspect the coaches think she has good all around potential because at a previous bigger invitational meet before this steeple experiment, when the team’s top miler scratched at the last minute, the coaches had my daughter anchor the school’s DMR A team. She held her own and even picked up some spots during her leg. Coaches gave her a “solid performance.”

couldn\'t continue waiting at least 5 minutes wrote:

Wise Old Man wrote:

This is what I told my daughter. Better to be in the first (if only) heat in the steeple right now and have a chance to score than in the B heat of the 1500. It suggests the coaches are paying attention. A lot of the other freshman are just running in the “non scoring” heats of the other races. The coach didn’t demand she do it, but rather suggested she practice and try, and she was up for trying. Even after face planting she’s up for trying again. I’ll be interested to see how it plays out. I suspect the coaches think she has good all around potential because at a previous bigger invitational meet before this steeple experiment, when the team’s top miler scratched at the last minute, the coaches had my daughter anchor the school’s DMR A team. She held her own and even picked up some spots during her leg. Coaches gave her a “solid performance.”

It means they see potential in your daughter. You don't throw a kid in the steeple who you think will flounder... ultimately the best steeplers are 1500m runners who are athletic... maybe the coach see that in your kid. stop over analyzing it.

Wise Old Man wrote:

Another hs coach wrote:

No college coach is going to waste their time moving a kid to a technical event unless they see potential for points. Way easier to train them for 5k than steeple. Steeple is for certain types of runners, and not bc they aren’t good at other events. Although it’s definitely the case that if your best event is closer to 3k than 5k or mile, you’re going to have to get used to running the steeple. I’d see it as an opportunity and vote of confidence which may or may not work out.

This is what I told my daughter. Better to be in the first (if only) heat in the steeple right now and have a chance to score than in the B heat of the 1500. It suggests the coaches are paying attention. A lot of the other freshman are just running in the “non scoring” heats of the other races. The coach didn’t demand she do it, but rather suggested she practice and try, and she was up for trying. Even after face planting she’s up for trying again. I’ll be interested to see how it plays out. I suspect the coaches think she has good all around potential because at a previous bigger invitational meet before this steeple experiment, when the team’s top miler scratched at the last minute, the coaches had my daughter anchor the school’s DMR A team. She held her own and even picked up some spots during her leg. Coaches gave her a “solid performance.”

Wise Old Man wrote:

Here’s the scenario. Freshman on a competitive college team (conference points matter) recruited based on 1600/3200 times, never ran a single steeple in HS. Just starting first outdoor season (West coast school that does not run indoors). A couple of early 1500/5000 results are fine, nothing amazing, but solid for this stage of a freshman season. Certainly no reason to think the athlete won’t mature into a top performer in time based on early returns. However, the coach is now pushing the steeple. First actual steeple resulted in a face plant on one of the water jumps, but the race was finished with a decent time for a first effort. Based on people’s experience, is the coach pushing the steeplechase a reflection of the coach having a negative impression on the athlete’s 1500/5000 long term potential, a move to maximize points in a given season based on the current roster, or some recognition of steeple specific talent that needs to be developed? The athlete is to respectful and deferential to ask and just does what they are told.

beersandmiles wrote:

Wise Old Man wrote:

Here’s the scenario. Freshman on a competitive college team (conference points matter) recruited based on 1600/3200 times, never ran a single steeple in HS. Just starting first outdoor season (West coast school that does not run indoors). A couple of early 1500/5000 results are fine, nothing amazing, but solid for this stage of a freshman season. Certainly no reason to think the athlete won’t mature into a top performer in time based on early returns. However, the coach is now pushing the steeple. First actual steeple resulted in a face plant on one of the water jumps, but the race was finished with a decent time for a first effort. Based on people’s experience, is the coach pushing the steeplechase a reflection of the coach having a negative impression on the athlete’s 1500/5000 long term potential, a move to maximize points in a given season based on the current roster, or some recognition of steeple specific talent that needs to be developed? The athlete is to respectful and deferential to ask and just does what they are told.

SCIAC Steeplechase alum here. From my experience, I don't think any of the coaches in the conference would do it as a punishment. Our conference is very different than any others in the county in that it still runs quad meets for it's "regular season". Personally I loved it. I think it's a move to maximize points. I've had it happen when we raced against CMS and they had their regional xc champ debut in the steeple to try and bump me out of the points in a really particularly competitive quad meet.

She's a freshman, it's good to get your feet wet in different events and see what ends up being right for her. I raced a bunch of 800-1500 doubles in my early years even though I was a 5K/XC guy. These quad meets give you an opportunity to really work on your racing skills and try different events. Who knows, she may get good at it. If not, it's still early in her collegiate career.