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Sprint Hurdles Photo Sequence

All good sprint hurdlers must be fast sprinters. An efficient hurdle clearance technique is essential, but fast times are produced through quick running between the hurdles.

Frame 1
1

The athlete approaches the hurdle with a good sprinting style, hips high

Frame 2
2
Frame 3
3

The lead leg knee must be picked up fast and driven at the hurdle

The lower part of the lead leg is left low and extends once the knee reaches the height of the hurdle

The lead leg knee must be picked up in line with the vertical centre line of the body

There should be no tendency for the lead leg knee to be pulled across the body or for the lower leg to go out and round

The lead leg folds at the knee while the trailing leg is still driving the hurdler forwards into an active take-off

The left arm (the arm opposite the lead leg) is very active, while the right arm "sleeps"

The trailing leg drives the body at the hurdle as the lead leg rises

As the lead knee and thigh drive upwards, the trunk dips

This is the beginning of the "layout" over the hurdle

Frame 4
4
Frame 5
5
Frame 6
6

The athlete does not "float" over the hurdle in this phase

As soon as the lead foot passes the hurdle, it begins its fast descent to the ground

During this phase, the trail leg is moving quickly, assisted by the left arm driving back

Athletes should think of the trail leg knee pulling the foot through vigorously

Frame 7
7
Frame 8
8
Frame 9
9

As the heel of the lead leg passes the barrier, it must be pulled down and back to land under the body

There is no necessity for the lead leg to be straight over the top of the hurdle

The athlete should feel the trailing knee sweeping wide and flat over the hurdle

As the trailing leg crosses the hurdle, the foot must be cocked at the ankle so that the foot does not hit the barrier

The lead leg straightens as it descends towards the ground

The right arm becomes more active as the athlete leaves the hurdle in frames 11 and 12

Frame 10
10
Frame 11
11
Frame 12
12
Frame 13
13

After crossing the barrier, the trailing knee continues to rise and comes around in front of the body

As the athlete reaches the ground with the lead leg, sprinting is resumed

The hips must not sink as the athlete lands.

Frames 15 and 16 show an excellent return to sprinting form, with active arms

Frame 14
14
Frame 15
15
Frame 16
16

Rules of Competition

The competition rules for this event are available from:


Page Reference

If you quote information from this page in your work, then the reference for this page is:

  • MACKENZIE, B. (2001) Sprint Hurdles Photo Sequence [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/hurdles/photoseq.htm [Accessed