Letter from the Editor March 2016

Hello readers, and my apologies for getting this month’s issue out late. Usually I’m able to juggle all my responsibilities fairly easily, but this month I got buried under, as a lot of deadlines converged upon me at one time. But I’m happy to report that this month’s issue has plenty of quality material that can prove beneficial as you continue to pursue your hurdling-related endeavors.

This month’s articles are largely seasonally-specific, so you should find them relevant to your current training regarding the early to mid-outdoor season.

“Identifying and Addressing Technical Flaws” provides a look into how to do just that, particularly when it comes to working with beginners. In this article I discuss my work with a particular athlete I am currently coaching, and how I came to identify the root cause of a twisting of the hips that had become a habit.

“Mid-Spring Decisions” discusses the choices coaches have to make in regards to training – emphasizing speed vs. emphasizing technique, deciding what non-hurdling events hurdlers should participate in, deciding how to balance workouts for hurdlers who both the long and short hurdles.

This month’s workout, “Workout for Double Hurdlers,” is specifically designed for the double hurdler who must adjust to the contrasting demands of the long and short hurdles.

“Don’t Play the Butter Notes” delves into the problem of getting stuck in a rut in training, and how to keep things new and fresh and invigorating for athlete and coach alike.

In “The Year-Round Athlete,” I discuss the coach’s headache of having athletes on the team who participate year-round in another sport, as well as the positives and negatives of coaching athletes who run track year-round, particularly at the youth and high school levels.

“Reducing Ground Contact Time and Air Time” is designed specifically for the advanced/elite hurdler, and provides advice on how to reduce both. This article can also be helpful to the beginner or intermediate hurdler as well.

Thanks to web designer Chris Brajer for always being available to troubleshoot subscription glitches, and website-related issues.

Thanks to you, subscribers, for your patience and your loyalty. Good luck with your seasons everybody.

Steve McGill