Speed training – use of hurdles

I am often asked what equipment is needed for training speed. I am a bit of a luddite when it comes to such things, thinking that I should develop my own coaching and observation before using gadgets

A good video camera and playback machine is necessary for good athletes, but for the majority, my eye is ok.

The use of high hurdles helps with hip power and alignment. The athletes shown here were doing a static jump over the first hurdle, immediately followed by a reactive jump over the second.

The idea is to help improve hip control as well as foot reactivity from the floor.

They did this twice followed by running to reinforce this action, then more drills and then more running.

I find that one coaching point per drill, followed by rehearsing that into running is effective.

These athletes followed the Jump Higher programme