Visual focus points in training

[Administrator]

I was thinking about how inconsistent I can be most of the time when approaching a javelin throw and more so when attacking the bar in high jump. For some reason I can't seem to do the same run twice. However if I am doing layup drills in basketball I can start dribbling from the halfway line and take off from the same spot every time or when spiking a volleyball from the wing I can set my approach more accurately.

I was wondering how much the fact that there are lines going accross the court help. Either consciously or subconsciously I am sure I use these lines to guage my distance form take off point or starting to move in a certain direction. I was wondering if there would be any value in marking out lines on runways during training.

While sometimes I think I am running in a straight line it is apparent to others that when I hit cross steps I would run in a big arc. Does anyone use any kind of markings to aid there training, particularly with respect to approaches to help this kind of thing?

I can visualise feeling more comfatrable running up on a runway that has a grid marked out on it rather than only having a trainer on the side of the runway to use as a visual aid. Similarly in the high jump, if I had a lane to run along and a curve to follow I feel I would be more consistent. Hopefully then when I compete my approaches would be so consistent that I would not need the lines to help me.

Has anyone ever tried this or can anyone see any value in it at all?

[H]

The main thing for this mate is just to do it so much the inconsistency dissapears!!

My javelin run-up is about inconsistent as you can get but in HJ I would say that I'm pretty consistent! (1.85 off four strides last night)

It's a case of drilling it in the winter till you are blue in the face and when you get to the "Main event" it will feel like second nature!

Maybe they should have a line down the middle of the runway as I used to do run up drills on the left hand line of the runway which can help keep your direction.

[Mack]

I like pissing off the sprinters.

I use the 100m straight...

I tend to take lanes 6,7 & 8 and will run on the lane lines. I start by doing forward runs increasing in speed to a sprint on the last. I would run for about 50m. Then I do cross overs only for about 40m, again increasing in speed each time again. Then I would do about 5m of forward then in to cross over for about 30-40m.

I don't use marks just yet as this keeps me running in a line.

Then

I mark out where the throw line would be, (about 30m away from the start), and then measure in jav lengths my run up. 5 javs from line for cross over mark, then another 4 for my first step mark.

I then start about 4/5 steps back take a little jog at my start mark and off I go.

You can make this a whole session on its own with a good warm up.

For the first run throughs unmarked I would get to a sprint where I know full well, I could not control the throw. (yes I know you maybe thinking... do I ever get past a plod down the run way) ;D, once and a while I may. The point is, if you can get some control with the jav at a sprint, then when you come in nice a comfortable run, there shouldn't be any problems. ( Just try not to hit your self in the head with the point when doing sprint crossovers)

Hope it helps, if not, maybe it might help someone else.

Mack

[slinger]

neil's spot on with that - overloading speed so you become really comfortable with the jav is great advice and like H say's try the line thing we were doing it last night and it's surprising how you aren't doing what you think you are...........