Hurdle Start

This is what in essence is a good hurdle start. It begins as a good sprint start, aggressive of the blocks . After as little as one step the athlete focuses on the first hurdle , looking up but not erecting herself to quickly. The first three strides are pure acceleration, after that the stride pattern is adjusted to the hurdle. Although the frequency rises, she does not break, she does not erect but just keeps pushing towards the hurdle. Even prior to take-off there is no sign of hesitation or breaking. The passage is a little high, leaving room for the trail leg to be pulled thru too slow and far too low . This is making the passage a bit longer than is necessary. But we have to keep in mind this is the first hurdle, which isn't taken at full speed. And there's another thing that is essentially different for the first hurdle. A good landing after the first hurdle is even more important than a perfect take-off or passage . Being able to accelerate of the first hurdle is crucial on how much speed can be developed; adjusting the passage or take-off to that extend can be highly beneficial. And in this case it is, the athlete recovers from landing at touch down, striding away as if the hurdle wasn't even there .