Athletics (British Sports Library)

HURDLING 81 The man who just grazes the cross-bar at that height will do better work over low hurdles than another who can duck under a bar set at 6 feet. Notwithstanding what has already been said, the furlong hurdler cannot afford to neglect the smaller points of technique in both arm and body action. In particular he should remember that, although a loose hip action is not needed for the actual clearance, it is essential to correct form in the follow-up of the rear leg for a subsequent full– length stride. In short, the action of the rear hip-socket, as already laid down for the benefit of high hurdlers, is compensatory, and allows the low hurdler to adhere to a straightforward move– ment throughout the race, and yet the hip must not be lifted above a height that allows for an easy, swinging clearance of the top rail by the rear leg. Remember that the action of a low hurdler is similar to that of an ordinary pedestrian who finds himself suddenly required to step over an obstacle in the road which is too low to vault or climb. In other words, the high knee action of sprinters of the Paddock type is admirably suited to the use of low hurdlers. Speed up to and over the first flight is essential. for the primary clearance usually sets the athlete's style over the remaining nine flights. At first it 6