PaceSetter Book

Speed Activities 6

6.5.1.4 Stage Four The above diagram illustrates a typical layout for a hurdles grid. The young athletes should start in lane one and progress along the lanes until they find a lane in which they are comfortable with a three-stride rhythm having tried each leg acting as the ‘lead’ leg. 6.5.2 The ‘Lead’ Leg When the young athletes have chosen which ‘lead’ leg they prefer and their confidence has grown, small two-way plastic folding hurdles can be introduced in place of the markers. The height of these should be gradually increased from 10 centimetres to 20 centimetres through to 50 centimetres. WEB COPY ©EVEQUE WEB COPY ©EVEQUE 1 2 3 4 Start in centre of hurdle line Only lead leg going over hurdle As the height of the hurdle increases to 30 centimetres or more, the young athlete can now start to perform ‘lead’ leg drills. These are initially carried out by the young athlete running over the middle of the first hurdle and gradually moving a little further to one side so that by the last two or three hurdles of a line of six or seven, only the ‘lead’ leg is actually going over the hurdle. The drill is performed in this manner as no technique has been acquired with the ‘other’ leg and the centre of gravity would automatically be lifted too much over each hurdle. This drill is performed so that the young athlete can focus on posture and speed without worrying about the 'trail' leg actions.

115