SPRINTER
SPRINTER
Coaching Points
When coaching the sprints with young athletes focus on the following points:
1. Running tall
2. Arms (elbows) are driven back - not across the body
The plan is based on three training sessions per week with the major competition being
in phase 5. The duration of each phase could be as follows:
Phase 1 - 16 weeks
Phase 2 - 8 weeks
Phase 3 - 8 weeks
Phase 4 - 8 weeks
Phase 5 - 8 weeks
Phase 6 - 4 weeks
Suggestions as to the sessions for each phase are detailed below. I leave the content of
each four week cycle to you.
Phase 1
Tuesday
Technique runs 2-3 x 3-5 x 30m-90m
General strength - Circuit or Weight training
Thursday
Sunday
Notes
Hurdles are used in the technique runs and special exercises for hurdlers
400m athletes - their repetition runs are 1-2 x 3-6 x 300-400m on Sunday
Phase 2
Tuesday
Thursday
Sunday
Notes
Hurdlers use hurdles wherever possible
400m athletes
Hurdlers use runs over sections of the 'race' e.g. 200m hurdles and 300m hurdles
for 400m hurdler; 3 hurdles, 5 hurdles, 7 hurdles for 'high' hurdler. These are
built into repetition runs, technique runs or special exercises
Phase 3
Tuesday
Thursday
Sunday
Competition or
Technique practices as required
or 6-12 x 150m stride, 250m walk recovery
Notes
Hurdlers will use hurdles in most sprint practices. When 'rolling start' work is
used, the hurdles may be brought slightly closer to simulate the 'late race'
situation in high hurdles. The 400m hurdler may work on stride change-downs on
Tuesdays
Each training session to include an appropriate warm up and cool down
Phase 4
Tuesday
Thursday
Sunday
Notes
Hurdlers use runs over sections of the 'race' e.g. 200m hurdles and 300m hurdles
for 400m hurdler; 3 hurdles, 5 hurdles, 7 hurdles for 'high' hurdler. These are
built into repetition runs, technique runs or special exercises
Phase 5
Tuesday
Thursday
Sunday
Competition or
Technique practices as required
or 6-12 x 150m stride, 250m walk recovery
Notes
Hurdlers will use hurdles in most sprint practices. When 'rolling start' work is
used, the hurdles may be brought slightly closer to simulate the 'late race'
situation in high hurdles. The 400m hurdler may work on stride change-downs on
Tuesdays
Each training session to include an appropriate warm up and cool down