Unread postby dj » Wed Nov 18, 2009 9:14 am
Good morning,
Thanks Becca for the info…
This really gives us some information to “explain” how and why a “six step check mark” can be so critical, even for the best of the best.
I would say she was probably hitting around 15.30 (50feet) on her good jumps and upwards of 15.60 (51’2”) on the NH.
A good indicator of how a step that is “out” by only 5cm or 2” per step, over the last 6 strides, can change the speed of the run and dramatically change the whole technique including posture, the plant, the takeoff, the swing etc…..
I am sure many, most observers had comments about her technique, like “she didn’t plant well, her plant was late and wasn’t up, she didn’t get a free takeoff, she leaned back, her swing was slow and she didn’t really get vertical and come off the pole.”
All of these were a result of not being “on’ at the mid (6 step mark) and not having the speed and force to do those things correctly. A coach can tell her to get her plant up, can tell her to “jump” at the takeoff, to swing faster or go vertical but she can’t.. simply because the “energy” based on grip is not there to do these things correctly…
dj