'Feed the Cats' : A Complete Hurdles Training Program

with Alec Holler,
Edwardsville High School (IL) Hurdles Coach (Track & Field) and Defensive Backs Coach (Football);
has coached 13 state qualifiers, nine All-State athletes, three state champions, and one state record holder in the hurdle events; son of 'Feed the Cats' guru, Tony Holler

The 'Feed the Cats' sprint training philosophy has been spreading like wildfire throughout the country. What many people don't know is it is applicable to, and can be utilized for, the hurdles as well.

In this video, Edwardsville High School hurdles coach Alec Holler, son of 'Feed the Cats' guru Tony Holler, presents his strategies and methodology for transitioning 'Feed the Cats' training specific to the hurdles.

'Feed the Cats' Hurdle Priorities

Coach Holler breaks down his priorities for the hurdles with an emphasis on speed above endurance, speed above technique, health above endurance, and full speed reps above drills. Hurdling can be brutal to the athlete and "happy and fast" will always produce better outcomes than "tired and injured."

Holler dissects his five rules of hurdling that promote the 'Feed the Cats' themes to producer faster, more confident hurdling. The "2 Hurdle" rule allows for diagnosis and correction of undesired effects while also identifying "upstream" causes; for example, if a hurdler is struggling in finishing a race (Hurdle 7-10), the cause (poor takeoff for example) can be fixed on hurdle 1 and 2, thus leading to the ability to train full speed and in a manner that promotes health over fatigue.

Coach Holler's 'Feed the Cats' hurdle approach is discussed for both the sprint hurdles and longer hurdle events (300/400 meter hurdles). The philosophy doesn't change - Holler always bases the development on speed, health and happiness to get success to follow.

Cues + Coaching Points

Next, Coach Holler diagnoses his cues and coaching points using a simple checklist that can be easily identified, but not obsessed over, by the hurdler. His checklists are broken down into the:

• Start and Approach
• Cut Step
• Takeoff
• Lead Leg
• Trail Leg
• Arms
• Landing

Holler identifies 3-4 cues to coach up in each of these technical areas that can be taught over the first two hurdles. Of them all, Coach Holler identifies the cut step as the most critical component and provides detailed video and picture analysis of what it should look like.

Lastly, programming and scheduling is provided to give you the ability to adapt your current hurdle program to the 'Feed the Cats' philosophy. Multiple scheduling aspects are included so you can make the necessary modifications to your current programming to fit your team's need to develop faster hurdlers.

The information provided in this video from Coach Holler can help you maximize your hurdlers' potential and drastically reduce their times this upcoming season. Don't wait any longer to start 'feeding the cats'!

61 minutes. 2020.