contents Volume 7 Number 4 / May 2014
in every issue 2 A Letter from the President 3 USTFCCCA Presidents 56 Updates from the NCAA Eligibility Center 6 FEATURES 6 Pound for Pound Weight Lifting and the Men’s Throwing Events By Don Babbitt
20 Pull and Dynamics Direction of Pull and Dynamics of Arm Action in Hammer Throwing By Andreas V. Maheras, Ph.D
30 Third Law of Motion Mechanics Fundamentals for Track & Field By Kevin O’Grattan
36 Realignment and the phases preceding it 4 Connections Crucial to the Success of a Pole Vault David Butler
42 Ties that Bind Developing relationships cultivates winning results 30 Ben Gall
AWARDS 49 USTFCCCA National Indoor Coaches & Athletes of the Year 50 Division I: USTFCCCA Regional Indoor Coaches & Athletes of the Year 52 Division II: USTFCCCA Regional Indoor Coaches & Athletes of the Year 54 Division III: USTFCCCA Regional Indoor Coaches & Athletes of the Year
COVER Photograph courtesy of UGA Sports Communications
42 MAY 2014 techniques 1 A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Publisher Sam Seemes Executive Editor Mike Corn ell, welcome to Outdoor season 2014. I hope you are all enjoying some Contributing Editors Matt Cohen, great competitions, warm weather and good health. As we move for- Sylvia Kamp ward to our third competitive season of the year, I hope you find the time to appreciate all that is happening in our sports and continue to MEDIA MANAGER Tom Lewis focus on making positive change for our futures. Media Assistant Kyle Terwillegar Our indoor Division I, II and III national championships were outstanding. W Membership Services Dave Svoboda Once again our athletes, coaches and programs put on some of the best com- petitive championships of all the NCAA. Congrats to all that achieved success Photographer Kirby Lee and had a productive indoor drive. Editorial Board Tommy Badon, As we work our way through our outdoor competitions, I hope all of you can Boo Schexnayder, Derek Yush, take the time to familiarize yourselves and your staff on the changing landscape of our sports and the potential changes within the NCAA. There is no doubt we Gary Winckler are moving toward some major changes from our leadership within the NCAA and your voices, our voices need to be heard. Please communicate with your Athletic Directors and with our leadership of the USTFCCCA. Each conference has a conference representative that represents you on the USTFCCCA Division I Executive Committees, one for Cross Country and one for Track and Field. Published by These conference representatives are your front line for all that is taking place Renaissance Publishing LLC within our organization. I encourage you to communicate with them on a regu- 110 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 123, lar basis. Your input is critical as decisions are finalized and you do have a voice Metairie, LA 70005 in all that takes place. In addition, please note that this is a “Rules” year, and (504) 828-1380 our Rules Committee will finalize all proposed rule changes over the summer for www.myneworleans.com a new rule book for the next two years. Each member has the ability to submit rule proposals to the Rules Committee and the Committee will determine the final set of rules for our rulebook. USTFCCCA After all these years of being involved on committees for USTFCCCA I truly recognize how frustrating it can be when a proposal of a change is circulated National Office through our body, and the details, rational and reasons for these changes are 1100 Poydras Street, Suite 1750 not fully disclosed or they get lost in translation. This is a bit due to the nature New Orleans, LA 70163 of our sport and the many, many coaches that are in our ranks. There is no easy Phone: 504-599-8900 or simple way to introduce new concepts, ideas or changes without its effect Fax: 504-599-8909 being positive for some and negative for others. Please note, that we must have an open and communicative process for our sports to grow and become better. Let’s work forward from the understanding that we all need to work together toward our futures. I hope that each of you will be motivated to continue to Techniques (ISSN 1939-3849) is published work toward the betterment of our sports through working together. Ask the quarterly in February, May, August, and questions, give your opinions and work toward improvements together. November by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross I promise from my position of the USTFCCCA President that I believe in all Country Coaches Association. Copyright 2014. that we are trying to do for the athletes, coaches, fans and leaders of our sports. All rights reserved. No part of this publica- I hope you will trust and work with us for all that you may want as well. tion may be reproduced in any manner, in whole or in part, without the permission of the publisher. techniques is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photos and artwork even if accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. The opinions expressed in techniques are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the magazines’ managers or owners. Periodical Postage Paid at New Orleans La and Additional Entry Offices. Beth Alford-Sullivan POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: President, USTFCCCA USTFCCCA, PO Box 55969, Metairie, LA 70055- Beth is the Director of Men’s and Women’s Track 5969. If you would like to advertise your busi- and Field and Cross Country at Penn State University. ness in techniques, please contact Mike Corn She can be reached at [email protected]. at (504) 599-8900 or [email protected].
2 techniques MAY 2014 ustfccca PRESIDENTs DIVISION I
DENNIS SHAVER NCAA Division I Track and Field Dennis Shaver is the Head Men’s and Women’s Track and Field Coach at Louisiana State University. Dennis can be reached at [email protected].
sean cleary NCAA Division I Cross Country Sean Cleary is the Head Women’s Track and Field and Cross Country coach at West Virginia University. Sean can be reached at [email protected].
DIVISION II
james reid NCAA Division II Track and Field James Reid is the Head Track and Field Coach and Assistant Athletic Director at Angelo State University. He can be reached at [email protected].
Scott Lorek NCAA Division II Cross Country Scott Lorek is Head Men’s and Women’s Track and Field and Cross Country coach at Northwest Missouri State University. Scott can be reached at [email protected].
DIVISION III
kari kluckhohn NCAA Division III Track & Field Kari Kluckhohn is the Head Women’s Track and Field Coach at North Central College. She can be reached at [email protected].
KATHY LANESE NCAA Division III Cross Country Kathy Lanese is the Head Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Coach at Case Western Reserve University. Kathy can be reached at [email protected].
MAY 2014 techniques 3
Pound for Pound Weight Lifting and the Men’s Throwing Events Don Babbitt
6 techniques MAY 2014 kirby lee photo eight lifting is an integral part of strength and conditioning programs for all four throwing disciplines. In the Wmajority of training plans, the exer- cises that make up the Olympic lifts and Power lifts, and their variations, are the foundation of these programs. There has been a ongoing discussion over the years in the throwing com- munity regarding lifting and throwing which centers around how much you have to lift in order to throw a certain distance. It is quite commonplace that when two throwers meet to discuss training that the conversation quickly turns to the topic of “how much do you lift for exercise “x.” However, the correlation between throwing and lifting is somewhat limited, and far from definitive, because the throwing move- ment is much more complicated than the lifting movement, and there are many other factors, both physical and psychological, that can deter- mine a good throwing performance. The purpose of this article is to provide a review of training results for male athletes attempting to compete at the highest level of NCAA competition in the four throwing dis- ciplines. The aim is to highlight the type of lifting performances an NCAA coach may see when collecting data over the long term from their training groups. There is no intention of implying that the lifting results are statistically correlated with actual throwing performance. The only purpose is to provide a large sample of lifting results that one contrasts and compares with regard to the different throwing disci- plines. General trends in the lifting performanc- es will be discussed, and the results for these throwers will be discussed with regard to event type, strength to body weight ratio, and level of throwing performance. The statistics for the throwing athletes to be presented are from actual maximum perfor- mances and not on theoretical or extrapolated predictions from multiple repetitions. This data has also been accumulated from the throwers of the University of Georgia track and field program over the past 30 years, which has produced many successful performers in all four throwing disci- plines at the NCAA level. Virtually all the athletes whose data is presented are between the ages of 18-24 years old. In addition, the lifting numbers are only representative of the training marks pro- duced while on the team as undergraduates and are reported with their corresponding throwing performances. It should be noted that many of the throwers went on to continue throwing after college and later improved on both their throw- ing results and lifting results.
MAY 2014 techniques 7 POUND FOR POUND
TABLE 1: Top 10 Power Lifting Totals
Name Bench Press Back Squat Total Brent Noon (70-5 ¾ Shot Put) 570 710 1280 Geno Atkins (58-0 ¼ Shot Put) 490 605 1095 Jay Harvard (215-5 Hammer, 56-3 ½ SP) 431 644 1075 Jarkko Haukijarvi (63-1 ¾ Shot Put) 475 594 1069 Mike Judge (61-7 Shot Put) 480 585 1065 Reese Hoffa (66-4 ¼ Shot Put) 465 535 1020 Caleb Whitener (64-1 ½ Shot Put) 371 606 977 Mike Van Winkle (187-9 Discus) 445 523 968 Matt Eicholtz (58-1 ½ SP, 180-1 DT) 426 535 960 John Newell (62-3 SP, 219-6 HT) 426 510 936
TABLE 2: Top 10 Olympic Lifting Totals Name Clean Snatch Total Andras Haklits (260-1 Hammer) 418 308 726 Panagiotis Mavraganis (235-0 HT) 408 292 700 Alex Urlando (201-5 Discus) 375 319 694 Brent Noon (70-5 ¾ Shot Put) 396 297 693 Reese Hoffa (66-4 ¼ Shot Put) 370 286 656 Tomas Sjostrom (237-0 Hammer) 375 275 650 Boris Stoikos (227-11 Hammer) 370 264 634 Caleb Whitener (64-1 ½ Shot Put) 366 266 632 Mike Judge (61-7 Shot Put) 365 265 630 Jay Harvard (215-5 Hammer) 364 264 628
MAXIMAL STRENGTH and THE POWER LIFTS the javelin, discus and hammer. The com- in throwing performance, can still have an To begin, we will look at the maximum bination of heavier implement and lower important role in the group in pushing the strength levels for the Olympic lifts and release speed suggests a correlation with a more talented throwers in lifting perfor- Power lifts, and see exactly what type of reliance on maximal strength rather than mance while in the weight room. In sum- throwing athletes make up these lists. speed, to be successful. mary, shot putters tend to be the strongest Table 1 shows the top 10 for the two-lift They are not as tall as the typical discus power-lifters in the throwing group, but the totals for the Power lifts (Bench Press and thrower, and they are larger in body mass strongest power lifters were not necessarily Back Squat) for the University of Georgia than both javelin and hammer throwers. The the top throwers. all-time throwers. The majority of the larger mass and shorter leverage systems throwers who make up the top 10 Power make shot putters better suited for generat- MAXIMAL STRENGTH and THE OLYMPIC LIFTS lifters are shot putters, or the shot put is ing bigger numbers in the power lifts. The top 10 lists for the Olympic lifting their primary throwing event. The high One other observation was made in that totals show a little variation from the number of shot putters in the top ten some of the shot putters who are in the top Power lifting top 10 lists. The first obser- power lifting lists makes sense for the fol- 10 for the power lifts are not necessarily vation that jumps out is that the shot lowing reasons. the top athletes in terms of throwing per- putters do not dominate the Olympic lifts The shot is the heaviest implement of formance. This suggests that merely being as much as the Power lifts. The second the four throwing events and requires strong in the power lifts may not necessar- observation reveals that the athletes at the the greatest percentage of final release ily be a major factor in throwing success at top of the Olympic lifting lists are among speed development from the power this level, and hints that other factors such the top throwers in the history of the pro- position (85 percent). as timing and technical execution play a gram. The top six performers on this list The shot is the heaviest implement of more prominent role in throwing success. represent the school record holders for the the four throwing disciplines, causing However, the athletes who are strong in shot put, discus and hammer, as well as final release speeds lower than those of the weight room, but not as accomplished the number two performer in school his-
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mance, this would make sense since shot CHART 1: putters tend to be the largest throwers and the bench press involves a motion that is very similar to the delivery pat- tern of the shot. Superior bench pressing performances are made possible because the large amount of weight that is lifted is a smaller percentage of the shot put- ters body weight when compared with traditionally smaller and lighter throwers such as javelin or hammer throwers. In addition, the shot putters leverage system (arms) used for bench pressing may not be quite as long as that of discus throwers, thus giving shot putters a biomechanical advantage in putting up larger amounts of weight in this particular lift. It should be noted however, that discus throwers were the second most prominent type of thrower in terms of bench press perfor- mance which does speak to the need to TABLE 3: Top 15 Bench Press Performances for Men good upper body strength as a require- ment for high level success in that throw- Name Performance ing discipline. In terms of bench press performance Brent Noon (70-5 ¾ Shot Put) 570 relative to body weight, the very best per- Eddie Weaver (59-6 ¾ Shot Put) 550 formers were once again shot putters. The Daniel Vanek (63-4 Shot Put) 500 top five in this category were able to lift between 180-220 percent of their body- Geno Atkins (58-0 ¼ Shot Put) 490 weight (see Table 4). These top end per- Mike Judge (61-7 Shot Put) 480 centages are representative of a very high level of accomplishment for the lift and are Jarkko Haukijarvi (63-1 ¼ Shot Put) 475 at least 30-40 percent higher than what is Reese Hoffa (66-4 ¼ Shot Put) 465 seen from the typical NCAA thrower. Mike Van Winkle (187-9 Discus) 445 TOP PERFORMANCES IN THE SQUAT Alessandro Urlando (201-5 Discus) 445 The top performances in the back squat Jay Harvard (215-5 Hammer, 56-3 ½ Shot Put) 431 (thigh just below parallel) in relation to John Newell (62-3 Shot Put, 219-6 Hammer) 426 amount lifted and percentage of body- weight, were dominated by shot putters Matt Eicholtz (58-1 ½ Shot Put, 180-1 Discus) 426 and hammer throwers (see Table 5). Three Ashinia Miller (62-6 Shot Put, 178-4 Discus) 426 explanations can be put forth as to why these two event areas represent the top Chad McClendon (61-3 Shot Put, 185-4 Discus) 420 squatting performances. Chris Howard (54-10 Shot Put, 181-2 Discus) 385 The shot putters are the largest throw- ers or had the physical build that gave them a mechanical advantage (shorter legs and wider hips) in squatting relative tory in the shot put, and numbers two and it appear that high performance in the to “longer and taller” throwers such as three in the hammer throw (see Table 2). Olympic lifts may have more to do with discus and javelin throwers. Every thrower in the top 10 Olympic fostering success in the various throwing Hammer throwers were the second lifting lists is also a member of the schools events than the Power lifts. most prominent on the list for top squat- top 10 list in at least one of the four throw- ting performances. Many of these hammer ing disciplines, making them among the TOP PERFORMANCES IN THE BENCH PRESS throwers had typical hammer body types, top performers in school history. The Examination of Table 3 shows that over characterized by modest height (no more majority of these throwers have also 80 percent of the top 15 Bench Pressers than 6-feet 0-inches to 6-feet 1-inch) and scored at the NCAA meet (placing in the in program history were shot putters, or strong legs which made them well-suited top eight). While it is not statistically con- throwers who were very good at shot (see for success in the squat. firmed, a quick look at these results make Chart 1). For maximal bench press perfor- Both the shot put and the hammer
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CHART 2:
TABLE 4: Top Bench Press Performances per Body Weight
Name Performance Percentage of Body Weight Brent Noon (70-5 ¾ Shot Put) 570 222% Eddie Weaver (59-6 ¾ Shot Put) 550 204% Daniel Vanek (63-4 Shot Put) 500 180% Chad McClendon (61-3 SP, 185-4 DT) 420 179% John Newell (62-3 SP, 219-5 HT) 426 177% throwing sequences involve more vertical tion at the NCAA level. However, it should this list are as follows: application of force against the ground be noted that the top five squatters for It is made up of many of the most talented (and hence a steeper release angle) com- percentage of body weight lifted were and explosive throwers in program history. pared with the discus and javelin throws, between the height of 5-feet 11-inches It consists of some of the largest throw- which have a larger translational move- and 6-feet 2-inches. This gives them a ers in program history, which means they ment component. This necessitates the leverage advantage in producing high will not have to lift as high a percentage of ability to generate larger ground forces body weight percentage totals compared bodyweight to get on the list. that can be developed with the use of an with taller or rangier throwers (like discus It is made up of some of the most exercise like the squat. and javelin throwers). explosive, yet shorter throwers, who will Another significant point of note with have a mechanical advantage over taller regard to the top 15 performance list TOP PERFORMANCES IN THE CLEAN throwers in the Olympic lifts, such as for squat is that the best throwers were The top 15 lifting table for cleans was the clean. not necessarily the best squatters. While made up of primarily shot putters and Unlike the make up of the top 15 clean some of the throwers at the top of the list hammer throwers (see Table 7 and Chart max performance list, the top five per- were school record holders or members 3). The throwing performance level of formers in relation to bodyweight were of Georgia’s top five performance list for these 15 throwers were also very high, either javelin throwers or hammer throw- a given event, nearly 50 percent were not with every member of the list being in ers (see Table 8). All five of these athletes in the top 10 or even top 15 on the event the throwing top 10, and over 70 percent were very obviously very explosive but performance lists (see Chart 2). The top being in the top five in program his- were also shorter (two were 6-feet 2-inch- marks for squatting relative to percentage tory in terms of throwing performance. es, the other three were 6-feet 0-inches of body weight lifted registered between The top five on the clean list have also and under). The percentage of body- 245-275 percent (see Table 6). These are placed no worse than third at the NCAA weight lifted for these five was between impressive results considering a squat of Championships in their respective 157-176 percent, which is very good. One double body weight is considered a very events, with two of them being multiple hundred and fifty percent of bodyweight high level for throwers who are looking to NCAA Champions (Haklits & Noon). It lifted in the clean can be considered very perform at the highest levels of competi- is the primary reason for the makeup of good for a top level NCAA thrower.
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TABLE 5: Top 15 Squat Performances Name Performance Brent Noon (70-5 ¾ Shot Put) 710 Jay Harvard (215-5 Hammer, 56-3 ½ Shot Put) 644 Boris Stoikos (227-11 Hammer) 625 Andras Haklits (260-1 Hammer) 610 Chad Goddard (196-3 Hammer) 610 Caleb Whitener (64-1 ½ Shot Put) 606 Geno Atkins (58-0 ¼ Shot Put) 605 Chris Howard (57-10 Shot Put, 181-0 Discus) 600 TJ Davilmar (59-2 Shot Put) 596 Jarkko Haukijarvi (63-1 ¼ Shot Put) 594 Mike Judge (61-7 Shot Put) 585 Beau Braswell (188-3 Hammer) 555 Reese Hoffa (66-4 ¼ Shot Put) 555 Matt Eicholtz (58-1 ½ Shot Put, 180-1 Discus) 535 Josh Mize (155-8 Hammer) 525
TABLE 6: Top Squat Performance per Body Weight
Name Performance Percentage of Body Weight Brent Noon (70-5 ¾ Shot Put) 710 276% Boris Stoikos (227-11 Hammer) 625 266% Jay Harvard (215-5 HT, 56-3 ½ SP) 644 248% Chris Howard (54-10 SP, 181-2 DT) 600 245% Beau Braswell (188-3 Hammer) 555 243%
CHART 3:
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TABLE 7: Top 15 Clean Performances
Name Performance Andras Haklits (260-1 Hammer) 418 Panagiotis Mavraganis (235-0 Hammer) 408 Brent Noon (70-5 ¾ Shot Put) 396 Jarkko Haukijarvi(63-1 ¼ Shot Put) 377 Tomas Sjostrom (237-2 Hammer) 375 Alessandro Urlando (201-5 Discus) 375 Boris Stoikos (227-11 Hammer) 370 Reese Hoffa (66-4 ¼ Shot Put) 370 Caleb Whitener (64-1 ½ Shot Put) 366 Mike Judge (61-7 Shot Put) 365 Lucais MacKay (230-3 HT, 184-9 DT) 365 Jay Harvard (215-5 HT, 56-3 ½ SP) 364 Trevor Snyder (249-5 Javelin) 360 Daniel Vanek (63-4 SP) 353 Chad McClendon (61-3 SP, 185-4 DT) 353
TABLE 8: Top Clean Performance per Body Weight Name Performance Percentage of Body Weight Trevor Snyder (249-5 JT) 360 176% Panagiotis Mavraganis (235-0 Hammer) 408 169% Andras Haklits (260-1 Hammer) 418 164% Brian Moore (248-2 Javelin) 346 163% Boris Stoikos (227-11 Hammer) 370 157%
TABLE 9: Top 15 Snatch Performances
Name Performance Alessandro Urlando (201-5 Discus) 319 Martin Maric (190-1 Discus, 237-3 Javelin) 308 Andras Haklits (260-1 Hammer) 308 Brent Noon (70-5 ¾ Shot Put) 297 Panagiotis Mavraganis (235-0 Hammer) 292 Reese Hoffa (66-4 ¼ Shot Put) 286 Tomas Sjostrom (237-0 Hammer) 275 Caleb Whitener (64-1 ½ Shot Put) 266 Mike Judge (61-7 Shot Put) 265 Boris Stoikos (227-11 Hammer) 264 Jan Bielecki (230-0 Hammer) 264 Jay Harvard (215-5 HT, 56-3 ½ SP) 264 Trevor Snyder (249-5 Javelin) 260 John Newell (62-3 Shot Put, 219-5 Hammer) 260 Brian Moore (248-2 Javelin) 256
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TABLE 10: Top Snatch Performances per Body Weight
Name Performance Percentage of Body Weight David Schiedt (201-2 Hammer) 256 127% Martin Maric (190-1 DT, 237-3 JT) 308 126% Trevor Snyder (249-5 Javelin) 260 123% Brian Moore (248-2 Javelin) 356 123% Andras Haklits (260-1 Hammer) 370 121%
CHART 4:
TOP PERFORMANCES IN THE SNATCH five snatch performers relative to body either some of the bigger throwers or As would be expected, the top 15 list for the weight were represented primarily by shorter throwers. These throwers also snatch was very similar to that of the clean, hammer throwers and javelin throwers came predominantly from the shot put with over 70 percent overlap between both (see Table 10), and were some of the and hammer events, which require more lists (see Table 9). Like the members of the quickest and best jumpers in the history vertical application of force with the legs, top 15 list for clean the best performers in of the program with an average standing and higher release angles, than do discus the snatch were also top-level throwers. vertical jump of 33 inches. and javelin throwers. One third of these throwers would go on to The top performers in the snatch, both participate in the Olympic Games or World SUMMARY in terms of both maximal weight lifted Championships in their respective events. After examining these lifting performance and percentage of body weight lifted, All 15 occupied spots on the Georgia’s tables we can draw five general trends were generally the most “athletic” of the top 10 throwing lists and were NCAA about the relationship between lifting and four lifting groups. The top snatchers Championships participants. its effect on throwing performance. were also the most diverse group in terms Members of the snatch top 15 that High performance in the Olympic of having representatives from all four were not in the top 15 in the clean could lifts has a little more in common with throwing disciplines as well. be characterized as lighter or longer and high performance in throwing than the more athletic throwers. The snatch is power lifts. considered the fastest lift in the weight The top throwers in program history room so it makes sense that faster and were the best Olympic lifters in the pro- more athletic throwers would occupy the gram, this was not necessarily the case at list. In terms of throwing event represen- times with the Power lifts. Don Babbitt has been the throws coach at tation, the hammer throwers appeared to The top bench pressers were shot putters the University of Georgia for nearly 20 years. be the majority group in the snatch top and in a few cases discus throwers. Both Babbitt has coached 46 throwers who have 15 list (see Chart 4). Both discus throw- events rely on upper body power more than competed in the Olympic Games or World ers and javelin throwers also had a small the hammer throw or javelin throw. Championships and that group has won nine presence in the top 15 as well. The top The top athletes in the squat were medals, and 15 top five finishes.
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20 techniques MAY 2014 andreas v. maheras photo Pull and Dynamics Direction of Pull and Dynamics of Arm Action in Hammer Throwing Andreas V. Maheras, Ph.D.
uring the course of a hammer throw, The forces that will determine the veloc- a thrower winds the implement a ity of the hammer are the tangential forces couple or three times around the (WT and WPT). The tangential force of the Dbody while maintaining ground weight will tend to increase the velocity of contact with both feet. Subsequently the the hammer between the high point and athlete executes three or four turns where the low point of its orbit. As the hammer the whole body rotates with the hammer ascends between the low and the high by alternating between double and single point, that force will tend to decrease the support. The speed at the time of release hammer velocity.The tangential force will dramatically affect the distance thrown of the wire pull will depend on two fac- with the angle of release also playing a role tors: a) the size of the force exerted by at that instance. It is imperative for the the thrower on the wire itself and, b) the practitioner to understand the various fac- direction along which the wire is pulled tors that will positively affect the hammer in relation to the center of rotation of the velocity during the course of a throw. hammer. If the thrower pulls ahead of the center of rotation, the velocity will tend to Forces Acting on the Hammer increase.If pulling behind, the velocity will Ignoring air resistance, two forces will tend to decrease. Therefore, the velocity of act on the hammer during the course of a the hammer will fluctuate depending on throw (figure 1). Those are: the weight of whether the sum of the WT and the WPT the hammer (W) and the wire pull (WP). points in the same or the opposite direc- These two forces can each be analyzed into tion to the direction of the hammer.In a tangential (WT, WPT) and a perpendicu- comparing the two tangential forces, that lar force (WPE, WPPE).The perpendicular of the wire pull is the one that is mostly forces will affect the direction of motion of responsible for the changes in hammer the hammer, that is, the eventual curvature velocity. Dapena (1984) found that the of the hammer path as well as the tilt of maximum wire pull was about eight times the plane of motion.Those two forces (WPE greater than the maximum tangential force and WPPE) will not affect the velocity of due to wire pull, which indicated that most the hammer. of the force exerted by the athlete on the
MAY 2014 techniques 21 pull AND dynamics
Figure 1. Forces acting on the hammer. A. Weight (W), tangential component of weight (WT), and perpendicular component of weight (WPE). B. Wire pull force (WP), tangential compo- nent of wire pull (WPT), and perpendicular component of wire pull (WPPE). The perpendicu- lar components (WPE, WPPE) control the direction of motion of the hammer. The tangential components (WT, WPT) control the velocity of the hammer.
wire is used to keep the hammer along to more or less “drag” the hammer dur- its circular path leaving only a small ing the turns which, it was claimed later, percentage to be used for changing the caused a slowing down in the rotation velocity of the hammer. of the body.One of the most obvious characteristics of that technique was a The Importance of the Direction distinct flexion of the right elbow, par- of the Pull ticularly during single support (figure 5, Given the above information, the direc- red lines). tion of the hammer pull becomes of From a mechanical point of view, paramount importance as one assesses excessively “leading" the hammer in the the factors that would enhance the veloc- entry to the first turn and throughout ity of the hammer. Beginning with the the execution of the throw, is indeed findings of Kuznetsov in 1965, the theory not desirable as compared to a straight of the lengthening of double support arm position as shown in figure 2. This phase emerged. Although several years is because the old use of the technique later others questioned some aspects of with a bent right arm was the result of a that theory (e.g., Dapena, 1989, Morriss misconception regarding the optimum & Bartlett, 1992, 1994), one “position” direction of the pull. Figure 3, shows that eventually arose from the original an outline of a hammer thrower, the double support theory is that of the shoulders and arms represented by a maintenance of the arms in a generally triangle.It shows the hammer and the straight fashion with the formation of circular path followed by the center of a triangle throughout the execution of mass of the hammer, and the center of the throw after entering the first turn, the curved path (dot in the middle). As which is what most competent throwers one observes this figure, it is important are doing nowadays (figure 2). However, to consider that the force exerted by the Figure 2. The triangle position and hypo- top-level hammer throwers of the distant thrower on the hammer must always be thetical optimum pull of the hammer. past used a technique that enabled them aligned with the hammer wire, other-
22 techniques MAY 2014 Figure 3. Straight-arm formation and rotation in Figure 4. Pulling along the wire (green lines) hammer throwing. For practical purposes the where the latter points further ahead of the left arm here is aligned with the hammer wire. hammer’s center of path
wise some applications from the laws of the body could be made to face in a more same radius merely by turning the body physics would be violated. A light, flex- counterclockwise direction relative to the more counterclockwise, because the ible wire (or a rope) can only be pulled hammer, this would be good, because impossibility of lengthening the wire along its length. If one tries to pull on a the wire would be pointing farther ahead would only allow the thrower to do such wire in a direction other than along its of the center of the circular path, and a thing by simultaneously shortening the length, the wire will immediately point therefore there would be larger increases radius (Dapena, 2011). In figure 4, if one in another, new, direction of pull, so in hammer speed. This position is rep- considers translating the entire green that one would still be able to pull along resented with the green lines in figure 4. hammer farther down and toward the the wire. Although this can be proven The black lines show the same picture as left, to allow the handle to be in contact using a mechanical explanation, it is in figure 3. with the hands (tip of the triangle) that also pretty self-obvious by experiment- Such a direction for the hammer wire would surely shorten the radius. ing with a string attached to an object would indeed be advantageous since it To shorten the radius less, one would laid on a table for example a book or a would help in the generation of greater need to bend the right elbow, as in marble. In all this discussion, the ham- hammer speed. However, in this configu- the red image of figure 5. Therefore, mer ball, hands and left shoulder will ration it would not be possible to keep searching for an alternative, practitio- be kept aligned. As will be pointed out the hands in contact with the handle ners figured that, by bending the right later, the body positions in figures 2 unless the wire were lengthened, which elbow and wrapping the left arm across and 3 are quite close but do not exactly would be illegal, of course. So the basic the trunk in a clockwise direction, the reflect what should be happening dur- idea was a good one, but it could not be thrower could stay facing more coun- ing actual throwing. implemented. The implication here is terclockwise, but still remain in contact An observation of figure 3 shows that that, since a longer wire is not allowed, with the handle. Superficially, this would the hammer wire, and therefore the force in case a thrower did maintain contact seem to solve the problem. But it did made on the hammer, points ahead of the with the (legal) hammer and its handle, not. The wire force lost its desired more center of the hammer's circular path, and the radius of the hammer path would forward-pointing orientation relative to therefore the speed of the hammer will be reduced and so there would not be the center of the path. In other words, increase. Attempting to take advantage of an overall advantage. It is impossible just because the thrower is now facing this action, sometime around the 1950s or to pull farther ahead with both arms more toward the left, does not necessar- 1960s, some practitioners figured that, if straight and at the same time keep the ily mean that the thrower is also pulling
MAY 2014 techniques 23 pull AND dynamics
Figure 5. Bending of the right elbow (red Figure 6. Comparison between a straight–arm and lines), and wrapping of the left arm across a bent right arm configuration in hammer throwing. the trunk, in a clockwise direction. The former provides for both a more advantageous pull of the hammer and a longer radius.
the hammer in a direction that is further positions were kept the same for all the contact with the hammer handle, and ahead of the center of the path. In fact, situations described above. this, theoretically, could be a problem. by bending the right elbow, there will Some practitioners will claim that a However, if the thrower notices that his still be a slight shortening in the radius disadvantage of turning, in the course body is rotating farther and farther ahead of the hammer path (figure 6). of a hammer throw, by leading the ham- of the hammer, he will surely slow down The conclusion here is that, as one mer and with the right arm bent, may the hammer so that the thrower and the compares the straight arms position with enable the thrower's body to rotate fast, hammer have "ballpark" similar average the bent right arm position, the former but somehow the hammer itself will speeds of rotation within each turn. allows for both a more optimum pull- not rotate as fast as the body's rotation In summary, the practical implica- ing of the hammer, that is, ahead of the would indicate and, therefore this is the tion is that pulling the hammer wire will hammer's center of path (even a slight reason why hammer speed is compro- not necessarily cause the hammer to advantage as shown in the picture), and mised under those circumstances. It is increase its velocity. The crucial factor is also for a longer, albeit slightly, radius of not so. the direction of the pull. If the thrower the hammer path. Those two are the fac- First of all, if the body is made to pulls behind the center of rotation it will tors that explain the most regarding the rotate faster for whatever means, that cause a significant decrease in the ham- differences between the two positions. does not mean that the hammer is mer's velocity. The desirable effect is for As hinted above, in real life, the going to have to rotate more slowly in the thrower to pull ahead of the center of direction of the wire pull will not point absolute terms. It just means that the rotation throughout the throw, although directly toward the left shoulder or the thrower will rotate faster, and thus that it seems that hammer throwers do pull middle between the two shoulders, but the hammer is going to rotate slower both behind and ahead of the center of toward a point somewhere between the than before relative to the thrower. But rotation, the former, for unknown rea- left shoulder and the mid-point between so what? What counts is how fast the sons. Paradoxically, most of the force the two shoulders (figure 7). This is hammer rotates in absolute terms, not exerted by the athlete on the wire is used so, because if the force points exactly relative to the thrower. to keep the hammer along its circular between the two shoulders the force It is true that, if the thrower were to path and only a small percentage is used made on the hammer will be pointing rotate faster than the hammer and kept for changing the velocity of the ham- less far ahead of the center of rotation of this up for a long enough period of time, mer. Therefore, optimum direction of the hammer path, a less than optimum there would be problems, because the hammer pull and maintenance of a wide position. This, however, did not affect thrower would not be able to twist his radius path should be the two factors the present discussion, because the upper body clockwise enough to stay in guiding the hammer thrower’s actions
24 techniques MAY 2014 pull AND dynamics
for optimum performance. That force is often called the centrifu- gal force but it is, however, illusory as References it does not exist. When a body is mov- Dapena, J. (1984). Tangential and per- ing, it wants to stay moving in a straight Figure 7. Actual opti- pendicular forces in the hammer throw. line. For it to move in a circle, it must mum pull of the ham- Hammer Notes, 5, 40-42. be acted on by a force acting inwards mer. The hammer wire Dapena, J. (1989). Some biome- towards the center to keep its trajectory is aligned with a point chanical aspects of hammer throwing. circular. This inward force does exist and somewhere between Athletics Coach, 23 (3), 12-19. it is called centripetal, and in this nar- the left shoulder and Dapena, J. (2011). Personal rative it is called the wire pull (WP). The the midline between Communication. term centrifugal force has come about by the two shoulders. Kuznetsov, V. (1965). Path and Speed the misconception that there is a force of the Hammer in the Turns. Legkaya that acts in the opposite direction (reac- Atletika, 11: 11-12. tion) to the centripetal force. The pull Morriss, C. & Bartlett, R. (1994). that the hammer thrower experiences is Biomechanical analysis of the hammer the force that has to act towards the cen- throw. Athletics Coach, 28 (3), 18-27. ter to keep the hammer head from flying Morriss, C. & Bartlett, R. (1992). off tangentially, until it is released. The Biomechanical analysis of the hammer so called "centrifugal" force is a virtual or throw. Athletics Coach, 26 (3), 11-17. fictitious force.
Some may think that when a mass spins around a fixed point, an additional force is generated which pushes that mass outwards, in the case of the ham- mer, keeping the wire stretched and away from the vertical. It is thought that Dr. Andreas Maheras is the throws coach at this is the force that the hammer thrower Fort Hays State University in Kansas and is has to counteract using her own weight. a frequent contributor to techniques.
26 techniques MAY 2014
30 techniques MAY 2014 kirby lee photo Third Law of Motion Mechanics Fundamentals for Track & Field Kevin O’Grattan
MAY 2014 techniques 31 Newton’s third law of motion
his article discusses Newton’s third third law of motion. Many individuals can is describing two objects that each exert law of motion and it’s applications even recite it from memory stating, “For one force on the other object. These two in Track & Field. The article’s pri- every action there is an equal but opposite forces are known as third law pairs or Tmary focus is to correct misconcep- reaction.” However, Newton’s third law action-reaction pairs. Since, each force is tions and misrepresentations of Newton’s happens to be one of the most misunder- acting on a different object, we find that third law. Although Newton’s third law stood and misrepresented physics proper- Newton’s third law pairs could never be is often the most well-known fundamen- ties. The widely known action-reaction exerted on a single object. This is often tal law of motion, it is possibly the most definition leads many to erroneously an area for misunderstanding, as many misunderstood. This article serves to pro- believe that any cause-effect relationship illustrations of two forces acting on a vide clinicians with correct examples of is an example of Newton’s third law. What single object are described as an example Newton’s third law, and seeks to address contributes to this is the fact that many of Newton’s third law. However, these some of the most common incorrect available resources are often filled with examples are not correct representa- representations used by Track & Field incorrect examples. With an appropri- tions of Newton’s third law. Secondly, presenters at educational seminars and ate understanding of Newton’s third law, Newton’s third law describes the relative courses. Also, it seeks to help coaches coaches can better guide athletes to more size and directions for the two forces. realize how a better understanding of efficient applications of force, and be Each force will have the same amount mechanics can aid them in better serving aware of body positions that may result in of force, and acts in opposite directions. their athletes. injury as a result of force application. This is true regardless of the material Newton’s third law states: When one the objects are made of, size of the two Newton’s Third Law of Motion object exerts a force on a second object, objects, or how fast they are moving. As coaches, we understand that a basic the second object exerts a force equal in Imagine an iron track and field shot knowledge of mechanics and the interac- size, but opposite in direction back on in outer space above the Earth. With the tion of forces with motion can help us to the first object. There are several note- shot in space, we can neglect any interac- better coach our athletes. All of the events worthy aspects of this statement. First, tion with the atmosphere. The only forces in Track & Field involve forces, and it is the third law is describing two objects present in the scenario would be the the successful execution of force applica- that are acting on one another. The first gravitational attraction between the shot tion that drives athletic success. One of object is exerting a force on a second and the Earth. When describing the forces the areas of mechanics most individuals object. Also, the second object is exert- in the shot-Earth system we could use the feel they understand well is Newton’s ing a force back on the first object. This following two statements:
Joe Mizereck photo 32 techniques MAY 2014 The Earth exerts a gravitational force objects will not move the same as a result ing Newton’s third law is the fact that on the shot. of these forces because Newton’s second there are numerous textbooks, technical The shot exerts a gravitational force on law tells us their own mass plays a role papers, and websites with wrong informa- the Earth. in how they will move. Nonetheless, the tion regarding Newton’s third law. One Note in the similarity of the two force forces they are exerting on one another of the most common mistakes when try- descriptions. The only difference is the are the same. ing to identify Newton’s third law pairs location of the subject in each state- Newton’s third law is also appli- is to believe the two forces can act on the ment. Furthermore, note how the objects cable to rotational motion. Forces that same object. Remember, just because simply exchanged places in the force cause a body to rotate about an axis are two forces are equal in magnitude and descriptions. This is one of the easiest known as torque. Since torque is cre- opposite in direction does not mean they ways to identify third law force pairs. ated by applying a force to an object at are a Newton’s third law pair. A prime Also, because gravitation is an attractive a point away from the rotational axis example would be a box sitting on the force, each of these forces would be in and involves force, these forces are also ground at rest. If we think of the forces opposite directions. When trying to iden- governed by Newton’s third law. An acting on the box in this scenario, it has tify Newton’s third law pairs, it is helpful example of this is a crescent wrench used weight and thus a gravitational attraction to describe what object is exerting the to turn a nut. When force is applied to to the Earth. However, it is not moving force and the object the force is acting the end of the wrench, by your hand for downward, so there must be a force from on. If you can successfully describe what example, that force is away from the axis the surface of the Earth holding it up. is exerting the force and the object it is of rotation (the center of the nut). This Since the box is not moving, these two acting on, then locating that force’s third would cause the wrench to rotate about forces must be the same magnitude, but law pair, is as simple as exchanging the that axis. Since your hand is applying in opposite directions. However, these place of each object in the force descrip- force to the end of the wrench, Newton’s two forces cannot be a third law pair tion. In addition to the forces acting in third law dictates that the wrench is also because they are both acting on the box. opposite directions, Newton’s third law applying a force to your hand. Torque, or Remember, one of the fundamental com- tells us the forces are equal in magnitude. what we can think of as rotational force, ponents of Newton’s third law is that a This means the gravitational force the is still representative of forces acting on third law pair is always comprised of two iron shot is exerting on the Earth is the object, and therefore will have identifi- forces, with each one acting on a different exact same amount of force that the Earth able third law force pairs. object. Each of these individual forces is pulling on the shot. Notice the two One of the challenges in understand- does have a third law pair, but we need to
MAY 2014 techniques 33 Newton’s third law of motion analyze each force separately to find its such example would be that of a sprinter be at risk of injury. With the shot out of match. As the Earth is exerting a gravita- taking off from the blocks. At the start, alignment with their shoulder as they tional force on the box, the third law pair the sprinter presses against the blocks. attempt to rotate into the power position, would be the box exerting a gravitational The sprinter exerts a force on the blocks. the force from the shot could be directed force on the Earth. As the surface of the The Newton’s third law pair for this through the forearm onto the elbow in a Earth is exerting a force to hold the box would state: the blocks exert a force on dangerous manner. If the shot putter were up, then the third law pair would be the the sprinter. It is precisely this force from to utilize correct form, with their arm in box pushing down on the Earth. the blocks onto the sprinter that initially line with their shoulder, the force acting Another common incorrect identifica- propels them forward down the track. on them from the shot would be directed tion of Newton’s third law happens when Newton’s third law also predicts that the through the entire arm and back to the any cause/effect motion is labeled as a force from the blocks will be in the oppo- shoulder socket and torso. This is just third law example. This happens most site direction of the force the sprinter is one of any number of possible examples frequently because people are casu- exerting on them. Understanding this stressing the importance of body proper ally familiar with the action-reaction relationship allows coaches to criti- positioning as a safety issue for athletes, definition of Newton’s third law. Often cally evaluate their athletes positioning with regard to Newton’s third law pairs. when something is identified as being through the drive phase. For example, if By understanding Newton’s third law a reaction to a previous action, people an athlete’s position were more vertical and its relationship to force application, falsely believe this must be an example of during the initial sprinting steps, it would coaches can be mindful of how their ath- Newton’s third law. This error happens not maximize their force application to lete’s body positioning may influence the oftentimes with limb movements of ath- accelerate them forward down the track. possibility of injury. letes in the air as it relates to rotational Newton’s third law would mandate the Newton’s third law can be helpful in dynamics. Limb movements used to force exerted on the sprinter, from the directing coaches to better instruct ath- control the body’s rotation as a projectile track, would be more vertical and not letes. In any attempt to use, an under- are incorrectly identified as illustrations an efficient application of force. It is standing of how force interactions will of Newton’s third law. One example that precisely Newton’s third law that directs affect athletes, one must be careful to is cited are limb movements in the air of sprint coaches to evaluate shin angles for recognize what forces Newton’s third law a long jumper executing the hang tech- sprinters during the drive phase to more actually describes. If coaches can deter- nique. As the jumper progresses through effectively dictate the direction of force mine the direction of force an athlete is the air toward the pit, they swing their the runner will receive from the track exerting on an implement or the ground, arms downward. In addition to the down- surface. This understanding of Newton’s then Newton’s third law can be used to ward movement of the arms, they bring third law can also help to identify errors understand how forces will be applied to their legs upward. These two actions are in force direction and their effects. If we the athlete. This is helpful in recogniz- not an example of Newton’s third law see a high jumper leaning toward the bar ing appropriate body positioning and despite their cause/effect, or action/reac- when observing their penultimate step, it coaching athletes toward more efficient tion relationship. If we take the forces would be clear that the ground will then applications of force. Forces described by generated by the limb muscles as external drive the jumper into the bar because Newton’s third law must act on two dif- forces acting on the torso, we can illus- of Newton’s third law explaining the ferent objects. The forces are always equal trate the third law relationships that are direction of force the ground would pro- in magnitude, but opposite in direction present. As the arms swing downward duce on the jumper. Comprehension of regardless of the interacting bodies’ they apply a torque, or rotational force, Newton’s third law can bring understand- size, shape, material or condition. While on the torso. In doing so, we could say the ing to why correct body positions for our Newton’s third law does apply to forces arms exert forces on the torso. The third athletes will produce the best results. responsible for torque and rotational law pair to these forces would be the torso Another area where understanding dynamics, many scenarios of actions and exerting a forces on the arms. The same Newton’s third law can be helpful is reactions in rotational dynamics are not analysis could be applied the legs. As the with injuries and injury prevention. The examples of Newton’s third law. Track legs swing upward they provide force to knowledge that all forces from an athlete and Field coaches with a solid founda- the torso, therefore their third law pair directed to an implement or the ground tion in kinematics will be better able to would be the torso exerting forces on the will produce third law pair forces act- prepare their athletes for success, and an legs. These limb movements together are ing back on the athlete can help coaches understanding of Newton’s third law is an example of conservation of angular recognize the source of certain injuries the cornerstone of that foundation. momentum, with the arms and legs pro- related to improper body positioning. viding opposite torques to control the Athletes adopting poor or improper body body’s rotation rate. positions will not only limit their pro- Newton’s third law is important for ductive force application, but can also coaching track and field, because all be subjecting parts of their anatomy to motions generated by athletes involve larger force loads than desirable or safe. Kevin O’Grattan has served as an assistant forces. In many cases, we seek to control A shot putter, for example, that uses poor cross country coach at Olympia High school the direction of forces generated in order technique and extends the shot laterally/ for the past seven years, where he teaches to maximize their effect on motion. One horizontally away from the body could AP and Honors Physics.
34 techniques MAY 2014
36 techniques MAY 2014 rice athletics photo Realignment and the phases preceding it FOUR Connections Crucial to the Success of a Pole Vault David Butler
he intricate phases of the pole vault taking about four things! as long as possible in its swing to verti- are intertwined and connected cal. The vertical part of realignment is the together, each one will affect, 4th Connection: Realignment re-extension of the bottom arm, pointing Tnegatively or positively, the one that Realignment is a violent and aggres- totally vertical at the moment the takeoff follows. In this article, I will begin with sive re-extending of the arms at the very toe is pointing towards the box. The vault- “Realignment” and work backwards. I moment the swing is accelerating. This er’s body is totally straight and the left hope to show the cause and effect of four is a rehollowing of the shoulders as both arm (right handed vaulter) is straight. In important aspects of the pole vault. arms extend with the pole bending away the old straight pole vaulting, with steel or In the early 1900s, a man named James from the vaulter. The motion is a short bamboo, the realignment is the moment Weldon Johnson composed a “spiritual and immediate burst, which can be mim- the vaulter hyper-extends both arms as song” called “Dem Dry Bones”. Some of icked by “slapping the wall” or giving both legs accelerate a long sweeping pen- you older readers may remember it… it someone a “high ten hand slap.” Picture dulum. The body will be in a straight line goes like this: this- stand about a foot from a wall, take and one with the pole. Realignment is not Toe Bone connected to the foot bone, both hands way back above and behind a pull! Pulling in any manner or direc- foot bone connected to the leg bone, the head. Now, with a quick movement, tion decelerates the rotation of the pole. leg bone connected to the knee bone…. slap the wall as high as possible! This will Realignment is connected to and can only you get the idea! Between three steps drive the body back with a lot of power. be performed if the Fantastic Connection out from takeoff and the initiation of Suspended from a bending pole, this No.3 is executed correctly! the swing, there are four crucial aspects realignment coupled with the aggressive of technique that prescribe a successful attack of a long swing gives the vaulter third Connection: Elastic Expansion vault. They are all connected and one a swing that accelerates and brings the At the very moment the tip of the pole affects the other, resulting in a pole that vaulter into an inverted position on top strikes the box, the vaulter must con- is accelerated to vertical. Thus we have of the bend. Too many vaulters today nect with the pole, becoming part of the the Fantastic Four Connections that cre- block at the plant and break the bottom pole in its pathway to vertical. The arms, ate acceleration in the rotation of the arm’s pressure, pulling themselves beside elbow and shoulders must become elas- pole. Yes, the Fantastic Four! Like the the pole to get upside down. This causes tic, stretching up and above the vaulter’s Marvel Comic Superheroes we read, stud- the athlete to either be below the bend head. The bottom arm should bend at ied, drew and collected in the 1960s. or having to take some other shortcuts to the elbow, so that the body of the vaulter The Fantastic Four Connections of the still get on top of the bend. can jump through the outward bend of Pole Vault. First 4,3,2,1 and then 1,2,3,4. Realignment keeps the vaulter behind the elbow. The left hand (right handed Coaches, hang with me now, I’m only and under the pole and makes the body vaulter) should move to a vertical line
MAY 2014 techniques 37 Realignment and the phases preceding it
through the hips of the vaulter. This is vaulter the moment he or she initiates vertical, behind and under the bend of the exact same effect the old bamboo the plant three steps out. The tip must the pole. and steel vaulters did for 60 years. These be up and not horizontal to the runway. Remember, each one is connected sawdust veterans would shift the bot- This “teeter-totter” effect of the tip fall- to the other. These four connections tom hand together with the top hand as ing and the top of the pole being picked stay connected, and the vault will be a they flipped the pole up during the plant. up, creates a “weightlessness” that makes beautiful thing- free, flowing and fast. Both hands would elastically move up the plant extend into space; making that Disconnect any of these verticals and and back to full extension off the ground spatial connection from the takeoff toe things go horizontal and the vertical - creating the same connection, left hand through the body to the hollow arms. An slows and stops. in a vertical line through the body. This active pole drop enhances posture, take- The hip bone is connected to the thigh elastic attack of the hands and shoulders off angle and extension off the ground. bone connected to the knee bone. Make allows the body to connect to the pole’s If the pole tip is static or still, it becomes these connections move as one, and movement towards the vertical. Planting a dead weight suspended out in front of VERTICAL is what you will get; bigger with blocking shoulders and arms that the vaulter’s center, creating imbalance poles, higher grips, faster runs, higher stop and are tense will successfully bend in posture, deceleration of approach and heights! the pole, but NOT MOVE THE POLE! tension in the vaulter. This can cause a A few points to ponder: The only way to try to get upside down lower, later and tense plant and a takeoff • Watch for POSTURE and from a blocking plant is to row forward that will surely be under. RELAXATION. Body should be a straight or break the pressure with the left, caus- *One of my Rice University vaulters line not a zigzag. ing the vaulter to slide beside the pole recently calculated the weights of a few • Dropping the tip of the pole early can in a “shortcut” to vertical. The inversion poles as they dropped into the vaulters cause numerous dysfunctional planting of this type of vault is out in front of the hand. motions. bend, not on it. The Fantastic Elastic A 13 foot 140 = 16 pounds • Watch for the hands to travel in a connection cannot move at its optimum A 14 foot 150 = 22 pounds of dead weight straight line striking extension at the without connection No.2 : Space. A 15 foot 165 = 27.6 pounds of tension, same time, as one. imbalance • Taking off ON and making space with second Connection: Make Space A 16 foot 180 = 31.5 pounds of broken hollow arms allows the whole body to As the plant of the pole is accelerated, posture, deceleration PUSH the POLE. both arms must reach full extension, A 5 meter 200 = 39.1 pounds of either • Study Bubka, Tarasov and numerous pulling the shoulders to that “hollow” weight that hinders or 39 pounds of weight- vaulters of the early 1980s. position we talked about in the realign- lessness that helps! REALIGNMENT can only be accom- ment phase. Hollow means that the head In the words of the great American plished by the success of the previous is framed by both arms, creating a hollow vaulter Pat Manson, “It doesn’t matter three connections. roundness from one shoulder around if you are carrying a telephone pole or You can’t realign if you don’t use the and under the chin and back to the other a toothpick, if you drop it correctly, it “elastic properties” of the plant. You can’t shoulder. This hollow shape is like a nar- becomes weightless in your hands.” realign if you do not create hollow space row “U” and pushes the pole to its high- Like dominoes set up to break a and full extended arms the moment est point just before the tip strikes the record, one out of place, oddly spaced before the tip strikes the box. This “hol- box. This full extension moves the pole or off line, and they will “stop the flow of low space” creates a powerful, elastic, to a higher angle and makes it begin to the fall”. It’s the same in the pole vault. active plant. accelerate towards vertical, BEFORE IT Drop the tip too early, too late or carry You will struggle with the plant if the BENDS! The hollow extension can only the pole still and static and the flow of tip of the pole drops too early or too be executed if the vaulter’s step is ON. the jump dissipates and breaks. If the late!The Fantastic Four Connections: Pole Taking off ON (vertical line from the top pole slows in its rotation and the vaulter Drop, Make Space (Push Pole to verti- of the top hand to the toe of the takeoff breaks at the hips, unable to get inverted, cal), Elastic Plant and Realignment are foot) is really connected to the first con- then there are “disconnections” some- four crucial connections that can make a nection—the one that starts it all—the tip where along the line. vaulter fly! of the pole! Coaches, look for these Fantastic Four Connections: first Connection: The Action of • A vertical tip out of the back and the the Pole during the Approach pole tip moving freely in the last three The verticality of the pole tip during the steps. first steps out of the back and the action • The full, hollow extension of the of the pole tip as it drops in rhythm with arms, creating space towards the vertical. David Butler has been the men’s and wom- the vaulter’s acceleration down the run- • The vertical line of the elastic expan- en’s pole vault coach at Rice University for way sets up the next three connections. sion of the arms at takeoff, bottom hand over 10 years. In 2009, he coached Jason The first Connection is the pole tip up in line with the hips. Colwick to the NCAA Division I Indoor and and falling through the eyesight of the • The realignment, re-extension to the Outdoor national championships.
38 techniques MAY 2014
Ties that Bind Developing relationships cultivates winning results
Ben Gall
42 techniques MAY 2014 CALIFORNIA Baptist University Sports photo fter over twenty years as an athlete and coach and their background, you are more likely to act in a in the sports of cross country and track & field way that feels supportive to them. “This acknowledge- reflecting on my experiences, both positive and ment requires perspective taking on the coach’s part Anegative, has helped me understand what it and shows that athletes are perceived by their coach is I do and where my greatest successes have been. as individuals with specific needs and feelings, and When I began coaching I was 23 and right out of col- not mere pawns that should be directed” (Mageau & lege. My idea of being a coach was basically writing Vallerand 2003). I have seen coaches address this in workouts and administering them. If I did this success- many different ways in their interactions with their fully I figured my athletes would excel. I have come to athletes; all of them having success in deepening this understand that writing workouts and training plans relationship and gaining the trust of the individual are really a very small part of being a coach of cross athletes on their team. country and track athletes. It is the relationships that There are a few coach and athlete relationships that really matter, and the successful coach is someone really stand out when looking at the sport of track and who can build positive relationships with those he or field. Sebastian Coe and his father Peter are a great she works with. This article is mostly about my experi- example of one highly successful relationship. Peter ence in developing the coach and athlete relationship, Coe knew virtually nothing about athletics when he but I think it is important to note that the successful started coaching his son, but what he felt comfortable coach is able to develop many positive relationships. with was that he knew his son better than anyone else. They have good working relationships with their He figured out the physiology and biomechanics of the administrators, colleagues at other schools, coaches at sport after becoming Sebastian’s coach. The intimacy other levels, parents, boosters, and community mem- of their relationship allowed Peter to keep Sebastian bers just to name a few. All of these relationships are healthy and progressing at just the right pace. They important in becoming successful and maintaining were able to build on each year and were completely that success long term. comfortable sharing their doubts and fears with each Mageau and Vallerand (2003) discuss in depth the other. The result was one of the most successful coach successful relationship between coach and athlete. and athlete relationships and one of the best middle Though it is not sport specific I believe they provide distance runners to ever compete. In an article in the a researched backed model supporting the role of the Telegraph after Peter’s death Sebastian explained coach in helping the athlete develop into an autono- why he thought the relationship was so successful. mous individual who can take ownership of their own “The partnership with my father worked because I growth. “Being autonomy supportive means that an liked the guy, and would have done so even were he individual in a position of authority takes the others not my father. He could be a bit brutal, certainly, but perspective, acknowledges the other’s feelings, and he was right so often – having more faith in me than provides the other with pertinent information and sometimes I had in myself” (The Telegraph, August 12, opportunities for choice, while minimizing the use of 2008). One thing that has always struck me with this pressures and demands” (Mageau & Vallerand, 2003). I relationship is that Peter consistently refused to take believe this sums up what it means to be a coach who on other athletes while Sebastian was still competing. is looking out for the long term development of their He felt that he would be unable to give them the atten- athletes. In the article they go on to provide a list of tion they deserved from him and he knew that this seven autonomy-supportive behaviors that coaches relationship was crucial to their success. can and should engage in if they want to help their Peter and Sebastian Coe had a different relation- athletes develop to their highest potential while under ship than most of us have with our athletes. They their guidance. These seven areas are: Provide choice were father and son first and then became coach and within specific rules and limits; provide a rationale athlete. Also, they had the opportunity to have each for tasks and limits; acknowledge the other person’s other’s full attention. Most of us do not have that lux- feelings and perspectives; provide athletes with oppor- ury; we coach within an educational system and are in tunities for initiative taking and independent work; charge of full teams of athletes. On top of our coaching provide non-controlling competence feedback; avoid duties we are responsible for recruiting new athletes, controlling behaviors; and prevent ego involvement doing paperwork, going to meetings and often teach in athletes. They go on to discuss each one of these classes at our universities. In addition, most of us in detail. The one I will address is acknowledging the are responsible for coaching both male and female other person’s feelings and perspectives. athletes. All of this has the effect of taking our time If you understand where an athlete is coming from and attention away from developing deep individual
MAY 2014 techniques 43 ties that bind
relationships with our athletes. I have ues that they will carry with them for the often the first person I call. come to fully believe that it is in the best rest of their lives. Another coach who has had a major interest for our teams, our athletes and In college I had quite a different rela- impact on me and my own coaching ourselves to figure out a way to deepen tionship with my coach. We had highly career was the head track coach while I these individual relationships within the successful teams and our coach was was in college and then hired me when I constraints of the system we work in. someone who made you believe in your- graduated and he took a new job. I spent When I think about my experience as self and your teammates more than you 10 seasons coaching under him and was an athlete, what I remember most is my would have thought possible. He made able to observe and learn about coaching relationships with my coaches and team- you want to succeed, not just to reach our sports as well as developing relation- mates. I had two coaches in my career, your goals, but to represent the school ships with our athletes that have a lasting my high school coach and my college and team as well or better than the previ- impact on them. He has always had an coach. Both coaches had time to talk with ous teams. He never shied away from let- athlete first policy where athletes know me and learn about my fears, expecta- ting us know when he was disappointed that they are cared about as people and tions and long term goals. These rela- in a workout, race, or some other area of not just athletes. tionships are intact even today and have our lives. On the other hand, he was the Each of these coaches has had a slightly impacted how I approach my coaching first one to praise us when we met our different approach, but the result is the every day. goals, whether athletically, academically, same; creating an environment where ath- My high school experience was in or in some other area. He was able to cre- letes feel comfortable opening up about Anchorage, Alaska and my coach was ate an atmosphere where risks were not their fears and doubts. This allows the someone who brought our school from only okay, but expected. If you were will- coach to address those feelings, coming to a very mediocre program to being one of ing to risk and put yourself out there then an understanding of that individual athlete. the top programs within a few years. Our you gained his respect and admiration. Thus providing the opportunity to help team also exploded in size and eventu- Through this environment I have seen them grapple with their fears and hopes as ally was close to a hundred kids on the many athletes, myself included, improve they grow into the athlete and person they cross country team alone. He made it fun dramatically and become fiercely loyal. desire to be. I believe it is not so much the and pushed us to reach our potential, no His office was always open and you could approach that matters, but the environ- matter what level we were at. He showed count on finding teammates gathering ment created. The athlete has to know that he cared and worked hard to understand in there just talk and hang out. He also you care about them as an individual and who we were. He made us want to suc- worked part time on campus doing main- you are not only open to them sharing their ceed and gave us the confidence to do tenance and there were always athletes desires and fears with you, but that you so. It has been over 17 years since he was from the team stopping by and helping expect it. The earlier on in the relationship my coach but our relationship still has an him out while they talked about life and this trust is created the stronger the rela- impact on who I am as a person and how running. Since graduation our relation- tionship can become and the higher chance I interact with my athletes. He showed me ship has changed into more of a friend- of success the athlete has. that as a coach you are helping athletes ship, but is stronger than ever. When Nine years ago one of my athletes came reach their goals while also instilling val- I need advice or to talk about life he is to me after her freshman cross coun-
44 techniques MAY 2014 kirby lee photos try season and asked if we could begin alone the athletes won eight all-American knowledge base and owning a stop- setting up a regular weekly meeting to awards. Prior to starting individual ath- watch. It is a process that, when done make sure we had time to connect and lete meetings we had won no NCAA All- well, teaches the athlete to take respon- talk. I agreed, and we began meeting. American awards. sibility for themselves.” I believe this During the next semester she improved There was also an improvement in statement hits directly on why coaching dramatically and ended her season by the level of retention and grades once can be such a rewarding profession. By finishing 10th in the NCAA D2 outdoor the meetings started. It is much easier developing each individual relation- championships in the 1500m. She also to know when a student is struggling in ship with your athletes you are given the won conference titles in the indoor 800m a class or unhappy with their experience opportunity to not only help them suc- and outdoor 1500m. More importantly, when you have an opportunity each week ceed in athletics, but also in life. Over the I began to understand her better as an to ask them how things are going and they course of a career you are presented with athlete and person. I noticed that I could feel comfortable being open. At least for the chance to positively influence hun- read her better at practice and was able us, in our program, these weekly meet- dreds if not thousands of lives. Over the to better adjust her workouts based on ings became one of the pillars to build the past 12 years I have come to understand what I saw from day to day. These meet- program on. The broader picture is devel- this and it was the athletes I have been ings gave me the insight I had been lack- oping a relationship with each individual lucky enough to coach that taught me ing before. We spent time talking a little athlete and making sure they know you the importance and potential impact of about training and racing, but more time care about them as a person and what each individual relationship. was spent talking about school and life. is going on in their lives both inside and There are a lot of different ways to Just a half hour a week and we both were outside of athletics. strengthen your relationship with each more comfortable with each other, which I came to see my weekly meetings with one of your athletes and provide them I believe helped her trust me and helped the athletes as a time for them to share with the environment that will help them me understand her. their feelings and desires. They were to continue to grow and develop as they The next fall I decided to try something able direct this time with whatever was are on your team. We are each in a unique drastic and set up a half hour meeting on their minds. At times they may not environment that presents us with many with all of the athletes I coached; at the have had anything to talk about and we opportunities and challenges. I hope that time this was around 20 student athletes. would just discuss what was going on in my experiences can provide insight into At first many of the returners were resis- their classes or their perception of what how I have tried and continue to try to do tant to the meetings; they felt like it was was going on with the team. Other times this. Each coach needs to acknowledge just one more thing to fill up their already they may have wanted to talk about their the constraints they work under as well as busy schedules. Some of them would training and what direction we were the importance of providing a relational regularly skip or cancel the meetings. The going. Occasionally they had something environment where their athletes feel free male athletes seemed to be particularly deeper they wanted to discuss and we to express themselves and work towards resistant. I remained persistent and kept had the time for that as well. These their goals under the safety of the coach- encouraging them to come. With each meetings provided me with key insight es’ guidance. If you can figure out how to athlete these meetings took different into each one of them, so when I was at provide this environment I fully believe shapes. With some of them all we talked practice I understood if they were going that you will not only see athletic success about was their training and racing, with through something and could better on your teams, but success in all the other others we hardly ever talked about this. It read them. I learned when it was okay to areas of life that are so important to our was just a time for them to have my com- push a certain athlete and when I needed athletes. plete attention. My commitment to them to back off. Our relationship became was that that time each week was theirs to much more fluid and a deeper trust was References talk about whatever they wanted. instilled between us that provided both Freeman, W. (2010). Knowledge and wis- Over the next seven years those meet- of us an opportunity to benefit and grow dom in coaching. Techniques. 3(4).16-21. ings became an integral part of our pro- from the relationship. Mageau, GA., & Vallerand, RJ., (2003). gram. Consistently on my annual reviews In January of 2012 I took my first head The coach-athlete relationship: a motiva- that the students filled out anonymously coaching position at California Baptist tional model. Journal of Sports Science. for the university the meetings were University. Being a head coach in charge 21(11), 883-904. the most commented on aspect of their of every aspect of the team has made it Miller, D. (2008). Peter Coe: the father experience. They felt cared about and more difficult to schedule weekly meet- who kept Seb on track. The Telegraph. loved. We saw our team grow dramati- ings with each athlete. I have however http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/fea- cally in size and competiveness; by the tried to keep regular meetings with each tures/3637649/Peter-Coe-the-father-who- time I left there were twice as many ath- athlete a part of our program. We are still kept-Seb-on-track.html letes on the roster as there were when figuring out the best way to do this in our the meetings started. When that first program, but our staff has a priority of athlete qualified for the national meet making time for each athlete on an indi- as a freshman, she was just the second vidual basis. athlete from our university to qualify for In ending his article in the February the outdoor championships, and the first 2010 issue of Techniques Will Freeman Ben Gall is the Head Cross Country Coach at female. The program now consistently made a powerful statement: “This coach- California Baptist University in Riverside, Calif. sends multiple athletes to the indoor and ing thing is not easy to do well. There is Gall holds a doctorate in educational leadership outdoor national championships. In 2009 a lot more to it than just having a strong and management from Capella University.
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MAY 2014 techniques 47
2014 ustfccca national INDOOR coaches & athletes of the year
division i
Robert Johnson Petros Kyprianou Travis Geopfert Abbey D’Agostino Edward Cheserek Kendell Williams Curtis Beach Oregon Georgia Arkansas Dartmouth Oregon Georgia Duke Women’s Head COY Women’s Assistant COY Men’s Assistant COY Women’s Track AOY Men’s Track AOY Women’s Field AOY Men’s Field AOY Men’s Head COY
division iI
Rock Light George Williams Brett Suckstorf Trent Mack Danielle Williams Drew Windle Barbara Szabo DeJon Wilkinson Adams State Saint Augustine’s Wayne State Ashland Johnson C. Smith Ashland Western State Saint Augustine’s Women’s Head COY Men’s Head COY Women’s Assistant COY Men’s Assistant COY Women’s Track AOY Men’s Track AOY Women’s Field AOY Men’s Field AOY
division iII
Ben Dorsey Josh Buchholtz Katie Wagner Al Carius Ashante Little Thurgood Dennis Amelia Campbell Jamie Ruginski UW-Oshkosh UW-La Crosse UW-La Crosse North Central Wheaton UW-Eau Claire Carleton Southern Maine Women’s Head COY Men’s Head COY Women’s Assistant COY Men’s Assistant COY Women’s Track AOY Men’s Track AOY Women’s Field AOY Men’s Field AOY
MAY 2014 techniques 49 d ivision i 2014 ustfccca regional INDOOR coaches & athletes of the year great lakes region
Bill Lawson Mick Byrne Nathan Fanger David Astrauskas Leah O’Connor Reed Connor Tori Franklin Michael Lihrman Kent State Wisconsin Kent State Wisconsin Michigan State Wisconsin Michigan State Wisconsin Women’s Head COY Men’s Head COY Women’s Assistant COY Men’s Assistant COY Women’s Track AOY Men’s Track AOY Women’s Field AOY Men’s Field AOY mid atlantic region
Beth Alford-Sullivan Marcus O’Sullivan Randy Bungard John Gondak Mahagony Jones Brannon Kidder Thea LaFond Corey Crawford Penn State Villanova Penn State Penn State Penn State Penn State Maryland Rutgers Women’s Head COY Men’s COY Women’s Assistant COY Men’s Assistant COY Women’s Track AOY Men’s Track AOY Women’s Field AOY Men’s Field AOY
midwest region
Ryun Godfrey Dave Smith Derek Miles Billy Maxwell Diamond Dixon Kirubel Erassa Sami Spenner Jon Lehman North Dakota State Oklahoma State South Dakota Nebraska Kansas Oklahoma State Omaha Minnesota Women’s Head COY Men’s COY Women’s Assistant COY Men’s Assistant COY Women’s Track AOY Men’s Track AOY Women’s Field AOY Men’s Field AOY mountain region
Joe Franklin Lacena Golding- James Thomas Le’Tristan Pledger Anthony Rotich Lindsey Hall Mark Jackson New Mexico Clarke Texas Tech Texas Tech UTEP Montana UTEP Women’s Head COY UTEP Men’s Assistant COY Women’s Track AOY Men’s Track AOY Women’s Field AOY Men’s Field AOY Men’s COY Women’s Assistant COY
50 techniques MAY 2014 NORTHEAST region division i 2014 ustfccca regional inDOOR coaches & athletes of the year
Robyne Johnson Nathan Taylor Bruce Lehane James Garnham Abbey D’Agostino Rich Peters Adabelle Ekechukwu Stephen Mozia Boston University Cornell Boston University Buffalo Dartmouth Boston University Harvard Cornell Women’s Head COY Men’s COY Women’s Assistant COY Men’s Assistant COY Women’s Track AOY Men’s Track AOY Women’s Field AOY Men’s Field AOY SOUTH region
Mike Holloway Bob Braman Petros Kyprianou Dennis Nobles Cory McGee Arman Hall Erica Bougard Andre Dorsey Florida Florida State Georgia Florida State Florida Florida Mississippi State Kennesaw State Women’s Head COY Men’s COY Women’s Assistant COY Men’s Assistant COY Women’s Track AOY Men’s Track AOY Women’s Field AOY Men’s Field AOY SOUTH CENTRAL region
Mario Sategna Chris Bucknam Vince Anderson Travis Geopfert Kamaria Brown Deon Lendore Brea Garrett Ryan Crouser Texas Arkansas Texas A&M Arkansas Texas A&M Texas A&M Texas A&M Texas Women’s Head COY Men’s COY Women’s Assistant COY Men’s Assistant COY Women’s Track AOY Men’s Track AOY Women’s Field AOY Men’s Field AOY SOUTHEAST region
Edrick Floreal Harlis Meaders Tim Hall Shawn Wilbourn Dezerea Bryant Matt Hillenbrand Jeannelle Scheper Curtis Beach Kentucky North Carolina Kentucky Duke Kentucky Kentucky South Carolina Duke Women’s Head COY Men’s COY Women’s Assistant COY Men’s Assistant COY Women’s Track AOY Men’s Track AOY Women’s Field AOY Men’s Field AOY WEST region
Caryl Smith Gilbert Tony Sandoval Curtis Taylor Sheldon Blockburger Laura Roesler Lawi Lalang Shanieka Thomas Nick Ross Southern California California Oregon Arizona Oregon Arizona San Diego State Arizona Women’s Head COY Men’s COY Women’s Assistant COY Men’s Assistant COY Women’s Track AOY Men’s Track AOY Women’s Field AOY Men’s Field AOY
MAY 2014 techniques 51 d ivision iI 2014 ustfccca regional INDOOR coaches & athletes of the year atlantic region
Lennox Graham George Williams Karen Gaita Doug Knol Danielle Williams Jermaine Jones Tabitha Bemis Dejon Wilkinson Johnson C. Smith Saint Augustine’s East Stroudsburg Shippensburg Johnson C. Smith Saint Augustine’s Edinboro Saint Augustine’s Women’s Head COY Men’s Head COY Women’s Assistant COY Men’s Assistant COY Women’s Track AOY Men’s Track AOY Women’s Field AOY Men’s Field AOY
central region
Joanna Warmington Jim Dilling Brett Suckstorf Todd Dejong Samantha Rivard Cole Toepfer Erin Alewine Chris Reed Minnesota Duluth Minnesota State Wayne State Minnesota State Minnesota Duluth Minnesota Duluth Central Missouri Minnesota State Women’s Head COY Men’s Head COY Women’s Assistant COY Men’s Assistant COY Women’s Track AOY Men’s Track AOY Women’s Field AOY Men’s Field AOY east region
Melissa Stoll John Wallin Joseph Van Gilder William “Bill” Ada Udaya Logan Sharpe Tiffany Okieme Nick Lebron Southern Connecticut Southern Connecticut Southern Connecticut Sutherland New Haven Southern Connecticut Georgian Court Southern Connecticut Women’s Head COY Men’s Head COY Women’s Assistant COY Southern Connecticut Women’s Track AOY Men’s Track AOY Women’s Field AOY Men’s Field AOY Men’s Assistant COY midwest region
Jerry Baltes James Kearney Trent Mack Kalena Franklin Drew Windle Jessica Bridenthal Justin Welch Grand Valley State Lewis Ashland Grand Valley State Ashland Ashland Findlay Women’s Head COY Women’s Assistant COY Men’s Assistant COY Women’s Track AOY Men’s Track AOY Women’s Field AOY Men’s Field AOY Men’s Head COY
52 techniques MAY 2014 division iI 2014 ustfccca regional 2014 ustfccca regional division iI inDOOR coaches & athletes of the year INDOOR coaches & athletes of the year
south region
Frank Hyland David Cain Soyini Thompson Katelin Barber Dennis Bain Krishanda Devin Jones Benedict Alabama-Huntsville Alabama-Huntsville Alabama-Huntsville Claflin Campbell-Brown Alabama-Huntsville Women’s Head COY Men’s Head COY Women’s Assistant COY Women’s Track AOY Men’s Track AOY Benedict Men’s Field AOY Men’s Assistant COY Women’s Field AOY south central region
Rock Light Darren Flowers Matt Stewart Damon Martin Kayon Robinson Kevin Batt Barbara Szabo Carlton Lavong Adams State West Texas A&M West Texas A&M Adams State Adams State Adams State Western State Adams State Women’s Head COY Men’s Head COY Women’s Assistant COY Men’s Assistant COY Women’s Track AOY Men’s Track AOY Women’s Field AOY Men’s Field AOY
southeast region
Matthew van Lierop Jim Vahrenkamp Richard Briggs Tsehaye Baney Chelsea van Dijk Felix Duchampt Shelby Kennard Jovan Vukicevic Mount Olive Queens Mount Olive Queens Mount Olive Queens Queens Queens Women’s Head COY Men’s Head COY Women’s Assistant COY Men’s Assistant COY Women’s Track AOY Men’s Track AOY Women’s Field AOY Men’s Field AOY
west region
Michael Friess Pee Wee Halsell Ryan McWilliams Anthony Tomsich Joyce Kipchumba Jordan Edwards Tiana Wills Frank Catelli Alaska Anchorage Western Washington Alaska Anchorage Alaska Anchorage Alaska Anchorage Academy of Art SF State Western Washington Women’s Head COY Men’s Head COY Women’s Assistant COY Men’s Assistant COY Women’s Track AOY Men’s Track AOY Women’s Field AOY Men’s Field AOY
MAY 2014 techniques 53 d ivision iII 2014 ustfccca regional INDOOR coaches & athletes of the year atlantic region
Mary Kate Curran Eugene Lewis Eric Flores Marques Dexter Emily Cousens Joseph Jensen Divya Biswal J.D. Roth St. Lawrence Buffalo State RPI SUNY Cortland NYU Hamilton St. Lawrence SUNY Oneonta Women’s Head COY Men’s Head COY Women’s Assistant COY Men’s Assistant COY Women’s Track AOY Men’s Track AOY Women’s Field AOY Men’s Field AOY
central region
Marcus Newsom Joe Dunham Melissa Norton Patrick Lockington Tricia Serres Eli Horton Kayla Hemann Colt Feltes Wartburg Central Wartburg Dubuque Luther Central Wartburg Wartburg Women’s Head COY Men’s Head COY Women’s Assistant COY Men’s Assistant COY Women’s Track AOY Men’s Track AOY Women’s Field AOY Men’s Field AOY
GREAT LAKES region
Kevin Lucas Clyde Morgan Todd Swisher Roger Busch Cara DeAngelis Victor Banjo Melanie Winters Sean Donnelly Mount Union Wabash Baldwin Wallace Wabash Ohio Wesleyan Wittenberg Baldwin Wallace Mount Union Women’s Head COY Men’s Head COY Women’s Assistant COY Men’s Assistant COY Women’s Track AOY Men’s Track AOY Women’s Field AOY Men’s Field AOY
MIDEAST region
Bobby Van Allen Jim Jones Kimberly Standridge Nick Price Maggie Shelton Chris Stadler Marissa Kalsey Kris Joint Johns Hopkins Salisbury Johns Hopkins Widener Johns Hopkins Haverford Westminster Moravian Women’s Head COY Men’s Head COY Women’s Assistant COY Men’s Assistant COY Women’s Track AOY Men’s Track AOY Women’s Field AOY Men’s Field AOY
54 techniques MAY 2014 division iII 2014 ustfccca regional 2014 ustfccca regional division IiI inDOOR coaches & athletes of the year INDOOR coaches & athletes of the year
MIDWEST region
Kari Kluckhohn Josh Buchholtz Katie Wagner Al Carius Lexie Sondgeroth Thurgood Dennis Jessika Smith Brandon Zarnoth North Central UW-La Crosse UW-La Crosse North Central UW-Whitewater UW-Eau Claire UW-Stout UW-Eau Claire Women’s Head COY Men’s Head COY Women’s Assistant COY Men’s Assistant COY Women’s Track AOY Men’s Track AOY Women’s Field AOY Men’s Field AOY
NEW ENGLAND region
Nate Hoey Halston Taylor Elaina Zizza Matt Swett Ashante Little Coby Horowitz Jana Hieber Jamie Ruginski Williams MIT Amherst Worcester State Wheaton Bowdoin Tufts Southern Maine Women’s Head COY Men’s Head COY Women’s Assistant COY Men’s Assistant COY Women’s Track AOY Men’s Track AOY Women’s Field AOY Men’s Field AOY
SOUTH/southeast region
Shane Stevens Tyler Wingard Carl Blickle Brian Flynn Debora Adjibaba Randy Lott Enuma Ezenwa Richard Roethel Bridgewater Christopher Newport Roanoke Bridgewater Emory Virginia Wesleyan Christopher Newport Christopher Newport Women’s Head COY Men’s Head COY Women’s Assistant COY Men’s Assistant COY Women’s Track AOY Men’s Track AOY Women’s Field AOY Men’s Field AOY
west region
John Smith Toby Schwarz Adam Haldorson Randy Dalzell Lenore Moreno Chancise Watkins Charity Arn James Francis George Fox Whitworth George Fox George Fox La Verne La Verne George Fox La Verne Women’s Head COY Men’s Head COY Women’s Assistant COY Men’s Assistant COY Women’s Track AOY Men’s Track AOY Women’s Field AOY Men’s Field AOY
MAY 2014 techniques 55 updates from the ncaa eligibility center
his spring, an interesting new where he engages with his more than Eligibility Center Contact Info character has emerged on the high 12,000 followers to drive home his pep Phone: 877-262-1492 Website: school athletics scene. It is a talking talks. You may have already spotted him eligibilitycenter.org Tbench, bent on pushing college- in a public service announcement that If you have questions or ideas for addi- bound student-athletes to learn more aired during March Madness. tional topics for Updates from the NCAA about the new initial-eligibility standards A range of materials for high schools, Eligibility Center, please feel free to con- to compete in Division I starting in 2016. parents and coaches are available at tact me at [email protected]. This bench lives in social media, vid- 2point3.org. We continue to ask you to eos, stickers, posters, a public service help us spread the message of the chang- announcement and even a school bus vis- ing initial-eligibility standards to today’s iting schools in Atlanta and South Florida. high school student-athletes. You will find the bench is a tough-lov- Thank you for working with us to help ing coach for the game of life with some the next generation of student-athletes leigh ann kennedy pointed yet thoughtful motivational mes- understand the increased academic expec- Leigh Ann Kennedy is the Assistant Director of sages for the student-athletes he meets. tations so we can give them their best Amateurism Certification at the NCAA Eligibility He is active on Twitter (@talkingbench), chance to compete and succeed in college. Center. She can be reached at [email protected].
56 techniques MAY 2014