contentsVolume 4, Number 2 November 2010 2 A Letter from the President REPORTS 4 Division I Track & Field 5 Division I Cross Country 6 Division II Track & Field 7 Division II Cross Country 8 Division III Track & Field 9 Division III Cross Country 10 High School 11 IAAF Report FEATURES 20 12 Warming Up Designing an effective pre-activity routine for the thrower. by Lawrence W. Judge, PHD, CSCS 20 On Your Marks Correct starting block set up for an efficient and effective acceleration. b y Andy Eggerth 28 The Complexity of the Triple Jump Very few women commit to the triple jump. How can we fix this? b y Eli Sunquist 34 Finesse in Javelin Throwing by Andreas V. Maheras, PH.D 42 42 A Zone of Displine 50 Getting athletes to the line ready to compete b y Gary Wilson High School Focus 50 Going the Distance What coaches need to know about transition phases for lon-distance runners By Mike Elder AWARDS 52 USTFCCCA Coaches Hall of Fame Class of 2010 54 The Bowerman Awards 2010 Cover photograph courtesy of Kirby Lee/ Image of Sport NOVEMBER 2010 techniques 1 A letter from the president PUBLISHER Sam Seemes HE MOST IMPORTANT TIME OF THE YEAR EXECUTIVE EDITOR Mike Corn for NCAA Track & Field Coaches is convention time. There are T ASSOCIATE EDITOR Sylvia Kamp strength in numbers, power in voices and control in working towards a common goal. In advance, I want to thank each of you for register- ASSOCIATE EDITOR Mason Cathey ing in record numbers again. Our numbers give us power. MEDIA MANAGER Tom Lewis From my view, as coaches, we often discuss methods to place more MEMBERSHIP SERVICES Mandi Magill fans in the stands and bring more positive media attention to our PHOTOGRAPHER sport. The “Capital One Cup” is a new award which will bring media attention to the “all- Kirby Lee sports” race and to the victor goes $200,000 for the school’s graduate level athletic schol- EDITORIAL BOARD Vern Gambetta, arship funds. Larry Judge, Boo Schexnayder, While the Capital One Cup has some good intentions, I have a number of issues with Gary Winckler, Ralph Vernacchia how the winner and rankings are determined. All NCAA sports are not included and the sports receiving point values are broken down by a tier system. The website states the tier system has been determined by: “fan interest, school participation, and other fac- tors.” Tier One sports have “triple value”; Tier Two sports have “double value” and Tier Published by Renaissance Publishing LLC Three points “remain the same” (wording from their website). 110 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 123, Outdoor Track & Field was placed in Tier 2. Cross country and indoor track & field Metairie, LA 70005 for each gender were assigned to Tier 3. At last year’s convention, USTFCCCA CEO (504) 828-1380 Sam Seemes presentation illustrated that we are in trouble regarding spectator atten- www.myneworleans.com dance at the NCAA Championship. It’s imperative we improve our gate receipts.This we cannot ignore. Our sports have very large participation numbers but lags when it comes to spectators. My initial reaction to the Cup is it further allows for the “rich to get richer.” On the men’s side, Tier 1 comprises football, basketball and baseball; while the women’s top tier USTFCCCA contains volleyball, basketball, and softball. A school’s final points come from top 10 fin- ishes at the NCAA Championships and the sports official final coaches’ poll. Some of National Office these sports are clearly revenue producers around the country, particularly if a school 1100 Poydras Street, Suite 1750 has a top 10 program in the sport. Revenue helps everyone in athletics but, the Tier One New Orleans, LA 70163 grouping leads university and athletic administrators to further emphasize specific sports and leave others out. Athletes in Tier 2 or Tier 3 work just as hard as anyone else. Phone: 504-599-8900 Its great track & field was included in the 13 sports selected, but I do not agree with this Fax: 504-599-8909 message of developing a caste system. Our sports are the largest provider of opportunities for women in terms of participa- tion. Our sports are number one or two for minority women and third for minority men. The nature of any tier system affects perception and affects support level. All public uni- techniques (ISSN 1939-3849) is published versities receive tax dollars. If schools are accepting this money, then they must abide by quarterly in February, May, August, and the laws and make sure they are servicing their tax payers. The idea of de-emphasizing November by the U.S. Track & Field and the sports that provide so many opportunities is unacceptable. I have heard the argu- Cross Country Coaches Association. ment that athletic departments are businesses and are “self-sustained.” This is true at a Copyright 2010 All rights reserved. No part very small percentage of schools. The Capital One Cup is an idea with potential. But, I do of this publication may be reproduced in not believe we should support a system that further develops the “tier concept.” any manner, in whole or in part, without Heading into the convention, consider your thoughts on the Coaches Registry, the the permission of the publisher. techniques coexistence of the USTFCCCA and USATF and regional competition. Additionally, the is not responsible for unsolicited manu- USTFCCCA will elect a new president at this year’s convention; who should that be? scripts, photos and artwork even if accom- “I still find each day too short for all thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to panied by a self-addressed stamped enve- take, the books I want to read.” (J. Burroughs) There are friends I want to see, plus all the lope. The opinions expressed in techniques wrong I want to right. So, I just do what I do: “I Coach.” are those of the authors and do not neces- sarily reflect the view of the magazines’ managers or owners. Periodical Postage Pending at New Orleans La and Additional Entry Offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: USTFCCCA, PO Box 55969, Metairie, LA 70055-5969. If you would like CURTIS FRYE to advertise your business in techniques, PRESIDENT, USTFCCCA please contact Mike Corn at (504) 599- HEAD COACH, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA 8900 or [email protected]. 2 techniques NOVEMBER 2010 NCAA REPORT Division l Track & Field One big issue that has surfaced for our sport is the new Capital One Cup. At first glance, this may appear in a positive light for the NCAA and our sport programs. But with further review, we find that our sports of indoor and outdoor track & field and cross country are not given top-tier posi- tions. The ramifications of the process could be very dangerous for the long-term future of our sports, and I want you to know the national office and our Division I Track& BETH ALFORD-SULLIVAN PRESIDENT, NCAA DIVISION I TRACK AND FIELD COACHES Field Executive Committee are already working on ways to respond to and to draw attention to this issue. This is an example of why it is important to work toward creating a solid and stable environment for the future of our sports. Discuss&Debate With the September meetings of the NCAA Division I Championships/Sports Management Cabinet just concluded, I am frustrated to report that there still was no movement forward for the 24/8 Plan, only ELL, AS WE MOVE THROUGH THE FALL requests to continue to review the Outdoor champi- Wsemester, with cross country races and Fall track & onships. This is not a request for creating new qualifying field practices underway, I hope this finds you all enjoy- processes but rather taking a closer look at what we cur- ing your teams and the fall terms at your university. I am rently have in place and ways to improve it, as well as excited to start to prepare for the upcoming USTFCCCA continuing to pursue data on the 24/8 Plan, perhaps national convention. Once again the convention is shap- with some modifications. I am creating a working com- ing up to be another outstanding week, and I hope each mittee of members of the coaching body, conference of you are making your plans to attend again this year. commissioners, and the NCAA Division I Track & Field There will be a lot to discuss and debate this year, as we Sport Subcommittee. My hope is that everyone that is have a lot to work on regarding our sports of cross coun- invested in our sport will work together toward a result try and track & field. In the short time that I have been that meets everyone’s needs. As challenging as it representing you as your Division I Track & Field appears, this process is really representative of what I President, I have gained a lot of insight into the true am speaking about: that collaborative efforts must be issues that face our sports. I have learned that we really made to find success. When groups do not work togeth- do need to address the long-term picture of our sport er, positive results are not attainable. We must remem- and how it fits into our “sports society” within our own ber this as we move forward. I hope you will continue to athletic departments and even in American culture. work with me toward a final and positive end result for This is a big issue, and I truly believe we must work our outdoor championships.