Coaching the Hurdles Article By: Tonie Campbell, Olympian Sub Titles: The Role of the Hurdle Coach Terminology Cycle Training STATIC HURDLE DRILLS: Lead leg drill, Rhythm drill, Trail leg drill   The Role of the Hurdle Coach The role of the coach is to generate enthusiasm, discipline, concentration and dedication for the training regiment. The coach must act as a barrier, during practice, for outside contaminates and interference's. The coach must also be counselor, friend, disciplinarian and savior at any given time. Creating a mentally harmonious workout environment is the coach's highest priority in order to get the most out of the athlete. The Coach must also be a walking reference table for perplexing questions that the athlete may have about his or someone else's technique. The coach must also have control of the athlete's competition schedule and not allow the "Agent/Manager" to interfere in the "long term" goals of the athlete. It is important also for the Coach to be up to date on the latest training philosophies. Studying the hurdler's competitors training routines is mandatory with an open-mindedness whereas implementation concerns are an issue. The Coach must never assume he is the best coach or most knowledgeable in all areas. Letting the athlete pursue other training philosophies only increases the trust in the coach. By doing so, the increased knowledge obtained by both athlete and coach will strengthen the fragile relationship that is common place between an elite level athlete and his coach. Next Page International Copyright © of CoachesEducation.com. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of CoachesEducation.com is strictly prohibited.