Coaching the Hurdles: Trail Leg Tips

ALTIS explains the biomechanics of the hurdle trail leg, focusing on foot eversion and knee recovery.

The trail leg is responsible for propulsion into the hurdle via takeoff and again propulsion off the hurdle via the re-acceleration step. A strong takeoff puts the trail leg on stretch like a rubber band. 1️⃣ FOOT EVERSION In order for this rubber band to snap back and start recovering, the trail leg, foot, and thigh need to be rotated externally as soon as the takeoff foot leaves the ground. This allows the knee & hip of the trail leg to unlock🔓 – allowing the rubber band to start recoiling.  2️⃣ TIMING THE RECOVERY OF THE FOOT BEFORE TAKE-OFF "Think of recovering the trail leg before takeoff” -- Coach Vince Anderson Although physically impossible to do, it can help the athlete start the recovery process as soon as the athlete has taken off, making for a much better pathway and limb recovery of the trail leg. 🎓 Check out our “Coaching the Sprint Hurdles” course, authored by world-renowned hurdles Coach Andreas Behm, to learn more! 👉 loom.ly/eDnTpBM #hurdles #coaching #biomechanics #TrackandField #sport #technique