Glazier Track & Field/XC

Now part of the @GlazierClinics Family - Track & Field / XC Coaching Education

[Glazier Track & Field/XC @GlazierTrackXC]

Full video on Glazier Drive: https://t.co/piEqHsFsi5

[Glazier Track & Field/XC @GlazierTrackXC]

Sprint Mechanics

- Proper sprint mechanics require athletes to maintain efficient body positioning and coordinated movement throughout each stride to maximize speed and minimize wasted energy.

- Emphasize proper frontside mechanics by driving the knee forward and allowing the foot to recover efficiently underneath the body in preparation for the next ground contact.

- Teach athletes to recover the trail leg quickly after push-off, avoiding excessive backside mechanics that can slow down stride turnover and reduce sprinting efficiency.

- Focus on coordinating the swing leg and support leg so athletes can transition smoothly between strides while maintaining rhythm, balance, and forward momentum.

- Coaches should evaluate sprint mechanics through video analysis, paying close attention to leg recovery, foot placement, and the timing of each movement during the sprint cycle.

- Prioritize efficient, repeatable movement patterns over exaggerated stride length, helping athletes eliminate unnecessary motion and improve overall sprint performance.

Stacy Latnie, Head Men's & Women's Track & Field Coach, Madonna College
@CoachLatnie

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[Glazier Track & Field/XC @GlazierTrackXC]

Full video on Glazier Drive: https://t.co/piEqHsG07D

[Glazier Track & Field/XC @GlazierTrackXC]

Using a Speed Belt

- Speed belts can be incorporated into sprint training to develop acceleration, explosive power, and the ability to generate force while running.

- Use resisted sprinting with a speed belt to challenge athletes during acceleration while encouraging powerful leg drive and proper sprint mechanics.

- Coaches should select an appropriate level of resistance that challenges athletes without significantly changing their natural running technique.

- Emphasize proper body positioning, active arm action, and consistent stride mechanics throughout each resisted sprint.

- Incorporate speed belt drills alongside regular sprinting to help athletes transfer strength and power development into improved acceleration and running performance.

- Monitor each athlete's technique and response to resistance, prioritizing quality repetitions, adequate recovery, and controlled progression over excessive training volume.

Stacy Latnie, Head Men's & Women's Track & Field Coach, Madonna College
@CoachLatnie

#glazierclinics

[Glazier Track & Field/XC @GlazierTrackXC]

Full video on Glazier Drive: https://t.co/piEqHsFsi5

[Glazier Track & Field/XC @GlazierTrackXC]

Overhead Drill

- Overhead drills help track and field athletes develop hip strength, stability, and coordination while reinforcing proper body positioning during athletic movements.

- Athletes perform the drill while holding a bar overhead, challenging them to maintain upper-body stability and control throughout the movement.

- Emphasize strong, active hip engagement as athletes move through the drill, developing the strength necessary for efficient sprinting and explosive movements.

- Incorporate single-leg balance and controlled knee drives to improve stability, coordination, and the ability to generate force through each leg independently.

- Perform the drill on both the left and right sides to develop balanced strength, improve movement symmetry, and address potential weaknesses between legs.

- Coaches should prioritize controlled movements, proper posture, and consistent technique before increasing resistance, ensuring athletes build strength without sacrificing mechanics.

Stacy Latnie, Head Men's & Women's Track & Field Coach, Madonna College
@CoachLatnie

#glazierclinics

[Glazier Track & Field/XC @GlazierTrackXC]

Full video on Glazier Drive: https://t.co/nzVvoNaswy

[Glazier Track & Field/XC @GlazierTrackXC]

Rebound Drills

- Use medicine ball rebound drills against a wall to develop hand-eye coordination, reaction time, and upper-body control for track and field athletes.

- Incorporate basketball-style rebound movements to train athletes to react quickly and maintain control of the medicine ball during repeated catches and releases.

- Emphasize quick reflexes and immediate reactions to the rebounding ball, helping athletes improve their responsiveness and coordination.

- Introduce the Windmill Drill, moving the medicine ball through an overhead-to-side pattern against the wall to challenge coordination and shoulder mobility.

- Encourage athletes to maintain a stable body position while reaching and reacting to the ball, developing balance and control throughout the movement.

- Use different rebound angles and movement patterns to challenge athletes' reaction skills and reinforce coordination that can support throwing-event performance.

Mike McIntosh, Asst Coach - Throwers, Southwest Baptist University

#glazierclinics

[Glazier Track & Field/XC @GlazierTrackXC]

Full video on Glazier Drive: https://t.co/nzVvoNaswy

[Glazier Track & Field/XC @GlazierTrackXC]

Med Ball Drills

- Use medicine ball drills to develop explosive power, coordination, and throwing mechanics that transfer to track and field events, particularly the javelin.

- Emphasize proper body positioning throughout each movement, ensuring athletes maintain control of the medicine ball before increasing speed.

- Incorporate overhead medicine ball movements to reinforce the throwing motion and develop the ability to generate force through the upper body.

- Use medicine ball drills that circle the ball around the body to develop rotational coordination, mobility, and control.

- Encourage athletes to perform movements faster as their technique improves, focusing on explosive execution without sacrificing proper mechanics.

- Incorporate kneeling overhead medicine ball throws to train a powerful forward snap and reinforce the upper-body mechanics used in the javelin throw.

Mike McIntosh, Asst Coach - Throwers, Southwest Baptist University

#glazierclinics

[Glazier Track & Field/XC @GlazierTrackXC]

Full video on Glazier Drive: https://t.co/nzVvoN9UH0

[Glazier Track & Field/XC @GlazierTrackXC]

Backward Throws

- The Backward Throws Drill helps throwing athletes develop proper arm deceleration mechanics by training the muscles responsible for slowing the throwing arm after release.

- Use a lightweight ball and perform controlled backward throws to strengthen the shoulder and upper-body muscles involved in the deceleration phase.

- Emphasize allowing the throwing arm to move naturally backward while maintaining control throughout the movement.

- Focus on strengthening the muscles that stabilize the shoulder and protect the arm from excessive stress during high-velocity throwing motions.

- Encourage athletes to coordinate their arm movement with body rotation, reinforcing proper mechanics and controlled follow-through.

- Incorporate backward throws into regular throwing workouts to improve shoulder stability, develop deceleration strength, and support long-term arm health.

Mike McIntosh, Asst Coach - Throwers, Southwest Baptist University

#glazierclinics

[Glazier Track & Field/XC @GlazierTrackXC]

Full video on Glazier Drive: https://t.co/nzVvoN9UH0

[Glazier Track & Field/XC @GlazierTrackXC]

Figure 8 Drill

- The Figure 8 Drill helps throwing athletes develop coordination, rhythm, and proper arm movement throughout the throwing motion.

- Use a controlled figure-eight movement with a weighted ball or training implement to reinforce a smooth, continuous throwing-arm path.

- Emphasize keeping the throwing arm extended and relaxed while allowing the shoulders and torso to rotate naturally through the movement.

- Focus on coordinating upper-body rotation with lower-body positioning to develop an effective sequence of movement during the throw.

- Encourage athletes to gradually increase the size and range of the figure-eight motion while maintaining balance, control, and proper technique.

- Incorporate the drill into throwing warm-ups and technical training to improve shoulder mobility, throwing rhythm, and consistency in the delivery phase.

Mike McIntosh, Asst Coach - Throwers, Southwest Baptist University

#glazierclinics

[Glazier Track & Field/XC @GlazierTrackXC]

Full video on Glazier Drive: https://t.co/nzVvoN9UH0

[Glazier Track & Field/XC @GlazierTrackXC]

Mulan

- The Mulan Drill helps javelin throwers develop proper throwing mechanics by emphasizing upper-body positioning, coordination, and controlled movement.

- Begin with the javelin extended in front of the body, establishing a balanced starting position before initiating the throwing motion.

- Focus on opening the chest and creating a significant stretch through the upper body as the throwing arm moves backward into position.

- Emphasize maintaining a long throwing arm and proper shoulder alignment to develop an effective throwing position.

- Coordinate the backward lean and lower-body movement to create separation between the upper and lower body during the throwing sequence.

- Repeat the movement with controlled technique, reinforcing chest extension, body positioning, and a smooth transition into the javelin delivery.

Mike McIntosh, Asst Coach - Throwers, Southwest Baptist University

#glazierclinics

[Glazier Track & Field/XC @GlazierTrackXC]

Full video on Glazier Drive: https://t.co/nzVvoN9UH0

[Glazier Track & Field/XC @GlazierTrackXC]

Ball Drill

- The Ball Drill helps javelin throwers develop proper blocking mechanics by using a large ball to reinforce correct lower-body positioning during the throw.

- Position the ball near the plant leg to provide a visual and physical reference for proper leg placement and blocking technique.

- Emphasize keeping the lead leg strong and stable as the athlete moves into the throwing position, preventing excessive knee collapse.

- Focus on maintaining proper body alignment and balance while transitioning from the approach into the delivery phase.

- Encourage athletes to coordinate their lower-body movement with upper-body rotation to develop an effective transfer of energy through the throw.

- Incorporate the Ball Drill into javelin training to reinforce consistent blocking mechanics, improve throwing positions, and develop more efficient technique.

Mike McIntosh, Asst Coach - Throwers, Southwest Baptist University

#glazierclinics

[Glazier Track & Field/XC @GlazierTrackXC]

Full video on Glazier Drive: https://t.co/nzVvoNaswy

[Glazier Track & Field/XC @GlazierTrackXC]

Walking One Step

- The Walking One Step drill helps javelin throwers develop proper throwing mechanics by focusing on body positioning, balance, and coordination during the approach.

- Begin with the javelin positioned overhead and the body aligned to prepare for a controlled one-step throwing movement.

- Emphasize keeping the feet and lower body coordinated throughout the movement to establish a strong, balanced throwing position.

- Focus on proper lead-leg placement and knee positioning to help athletes transition effectively into the throwing phase.

- Use a controlled walking step to reinforce timing and coordination between the lower body, torso, and throwing arm.

- Incorporate the drill into regular javelin training, progressing down the field with repeated throws to build consistency and reinforce proper technique.

Mike McIntosh, Asst Coach - Throwers, Southwest Baptist University

#glazierclinics