Coaching and Care of Athletes

COACHING AND CARE OF ATHLETES already mentioned, and starting with his right foot in the rear hole, would have to throw his left leg first over each hurdle. Let us analyse this point with some care. It has been suggested that the sprinter with a right dominant will place the right foot in the rear starting-hole, because the right leg contributes a larger proportion of the drive-out from the holes. Surely, then, the right-dominant athlete should throw his left leg first over the hur'dle, since it is the right leg which contributes the drive and lift to carry him over the obstacle? If a right-dominant athlete starts naturally with his right foot in the rear hole and throws his right leg over the first hurdle he will take eight strides to the take-off for the first hurdle in the high hurdles, but if he throws his left leg first over the hurdle he will take seven strides. This may seem to offer an immediate solution; but it does not, because the strongest instinct of the hurdler is invariably seen in his definite preference in the matter of which leg he throws first over the hurdles. In other words, the coach will find it far easier to get an athlete to reverse the placing of his feet in the starting position, or to modify his striding, than to throw his right leg first over the hurdle if he has a natural preference for leading with his left leg. What, then, is the coach to do to get his athlete in good shape to the proper take-off spot for the first hurdle clearance? If he makes the athlete with a right dominant place his left foot in the rear starting-hole the definite sequenc~ of movements after leaving the holes will be confused, and there will be a lack of co-ordination in getting into the first strides. This postulates a slight loss of time at the start, but that may be compensated for by the consequent change in the number of strides bringing the athlete to the right take-off spot in good balance. The alternative is to let the athlete stick to the seven or eight strides, whichever he prefers, and by much practice modify his stride-length, without altering his natural starting position, so that he can reach the right take-off spot in the required num– ber of strides. I prefer this particular method for overcoming the difficulty. ' It is essential for hurdlers to undergo starting and sprinting practice. 'Spec' Towns, U.S.A., Olympic r ro metres high hurdles champion in 1936, made a world's 120 yds. hurdles record in 280