My 10 year old daughter is a decent athlete -- soccer, basketball, 6:50 in the mile, etc. But her foot strike angles out (she also has big feet). She is tall for her age as well. I worry about how this outward angle will affect her long-term, especially when puberty hits. My doctor says not to worry about it ... but I can't help but think there are some drills I can start introducing her to that might help get her toes/foot striking in a more linear plane. Thoughts?
At 10, don't stress, she's still growing...a lot.
That said, try having her run 100m strides while running ON the line of the track or soccer field. Encourage her to step directly on the line as much as possible, like running along a tightrope, and keeping her feet underneath her center of gravity. This will encourage all forward vectors while minimizing lateral movement.
Electric Avenue wrote:
At 10, don't stress, she's still growing...a lot.
That said, try having her run 100m strides while running ON the line of the track or soccer field. Encourage her to step directly on the line as much as possible, like running along a tightrope, and keeping her feet underneath her center of gravity. This will encourage all forward vectors while minimizing lateral movement.
Don't listen to Electric Avenue. There is no evidence that minimizing lateral movement leads to increases in efficiency or whatever it is that you are seeking. Running is not a beauty contest. When should you start fiddling with form? When you buy physiological measuring equipment that can actually measure efficiency and energy.
Thanks... great idea! I know I shouldn't stress about it, but I also want to set her up for future success -- whatever sport(s) she gravitates to.
Electric Avenue wrote:
At 10, don't stress, she's still growing...a lot.
That said, try having her run 100m strides while running ON the line of the track or soccer field. Encourage her to step directly on the line as much as possible, like running along a tightrope, and keeping her feet underneath her center of gravity. This will encourage all forward vectors while minimizing lateral movement.
I found a good form video your daughter can emulate.
Go to 2:30 to start watching.
mbnnoowiwpq wrote:
Thanks... great idea! I know I shouldn't stress about it, but I also want to set her up for future success -- whatever sport(s) she gravitates to.
Then don't do silly things like trying to fix her form. Making her run on a line is against the natural motion of human joints and muscles. That is anything but natural and efficient form. It will cost her more more energy to force her legs to do that. Footsteps should be side by side not one behind the other.
Just work on her endurance, strength, and speed. Her best form will come on its own.
Which female in this race do you want your daughter to emulate? Form doesn't matter...until it does.
http://www.trackie.com/track-and-field/TrackieTV/2014-millrose-womens-800m-westaway-2-01-89/3643/
Your Assic Park wrote:
Which female in this race do you want your daughter to emulate? Form doesn't matter...until it does.
http://www.trackie.com/track-and-field/TrackieTV/2014-millrose-womens-800m-westaway-2-01-89/3643/
Please prove that form matters.
Prove that genetics matter. Prove that eating well and getting enough sleep are important. You will find umpteen outliers which contradict the assertion.Good luck with any blanket assertions based on variables which are theoretically arguable until Doomsday. . Instead, observe the sport diligently for three or four decades,personally try every component out on yourself and your athletes, and then employ your gut-level algorithms about what works and what doesn't. This is the art of coaching.
form hero wrote:
Your Assic Park wrote:Which female in this race do you want your daughter to emulate? Form doesn't matter...until it does.
http://www.trackie.com/track-and-field/TrackieTV/2014-millrose-womens-800m-westaway-2-01-89/3643/Please prove that form matters.
Your Assic Park wrote:
Prove that genetics matter. Prove that eating well and getting enough sleep are important. You will find umpteen outliers which contradict the assertion.
Good luck with any blanket assertions based on variables which are theoretically arguable until Doomsday. . Instead, observe the sport diligently for three or four decades,personally try every component out on yourself and your athletes, and then employ your gut-level algorithms about what works and what doesn't. This is the art of coaching.
What are you talking about??? You will not find any outliers that contradict that diet and sleep are important. Nor will you find any outliers that genetics matter (because they don't. No one has ever found a running gene). These aren't blanket assertions. This is science. These statements are not theoretically arguable until Doomsday.
You could have saved yourself three or four decades worth of time if you had just paid attention in high school science class.