Hurdle Basics: A Grass Roots Approach

with Norbert Elliott,
University of Tennessee Assistant Track Coach

Coach Elliott believes that hurdling is a very dynamic event involving key components including flexibility, speed, explosive power and - most importantly - coordination. Elliott shares how to combine all of these ingredients into effective progressions for the teaching and coaching of the hurdles. Elliott's dynamic warm-up routine for the hurdles incorporates A-skips, B-skips, high knees, fast lead leg and fast feet drills similar to those of sprinters. He proceeds to hurdle specific technical instruction utilizing "wall drills" for the lead and trail leg. Elliott next incorporates the lead and trail leg wall drills into a step-by-step drill progression for moving over the hurdles. Elliott concludes with starting block drills that will get the athlete to the first hurdle in eight steps, emphasizing the drive phase and approach. Throughout the presentation, Elliott shares techniques, tips and drill alternatives for making the instruction skill-level appropriate for athletes from beginners through more experienced hurdlers. This is a great tool for coaches and athletes of all levels who want to learn Grass Roots Hurdling at its best.

36 minutes. 2008.

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