Track and field-style events are among the oldest of all sporting competitions, as running, jumping and throwing are natural and universal forms of human physical expression. In the United States, the indoor track and field season traditionally takes place during the winter months, December to March. This is a practical solution for most of the U.S. to escape from the cold temperatures outside. Indoor track is often thought of as preparatory to the outdoor season. Outdoor track and field takes place during the spring and summer months, March to July.
Track and field, or athletics as it is called in many countries, is the designation given to contests for men and women that involve running, jumping for height and distance, and throwing for distance using implements of standardized design. Competitions in track and field are called meets and are usually held outdoors, with the running events taking place on a portion of or around a 400-m (437.2-yd) or 440-yd (402.3-m).
The field events — those disciplines involving jumping and throwing — generally take place at the same time as the running events, on the area within the track’s circumference, or nearby. The outdoor season begins in March with conference and invitational meets leading up to the conference championship, outdoor sectional championships, and outdoor state and national championships for athletes that qualify. Block starts: using starting blocks (foot placement, distance from the line, body positioning, drive phase) Beginner hurdling technique: drills, driving lead knee, correct arm movement, trail leg Intermediate hurdling technique: for those with hurdling experience—correcting flaws in their form Shot put: basics of glide technique, progressions of putting the whole movement together Discus: how to hold & properly release the disc, footwork, progressions of putting the whole movement together High jump: establishing a 10 step approach, drills for running the curve, aerial drills for clearing the bar Pole vault: how to hold the pole, approach & plant, clearing the bar, drills to improve individual parts of the jump (must bring your own pole) Long jump: establish approach & work on jump mechanics
For high school sprinters and hurdlers, there is perhaps no more crucial period of athletic development available than that during the fall season. Coming into school in September, these speed and power athletes have a full 4 month block of training time available for preparation for the indoor season, or for most programs, a full 7 month block of time before outdoor track. Too often the fall season is neglected for the young sprinters and hurdlers, and this critical time available for technical and conditioning development is lost, resulting in a poor improvement rate in the athletes over the course of their high school years. While the middle distance athletes have cross country to train for, the high school sprint/hurdlers must also be doing deliberate preparation in the fall season.
Fall Training (Base Period) 6 – 10 Weeks. Much of our time in fall training is spent conditioning the body and teaching drills that help develop proper sprint mechanics. I also try to introduce exercises. Circuit Training plays a big role during this phase, we do this not only to help increase that athletes fitness level, but also to help develop the proper sprint mechanics that are so vital at the end of the race.
By putting in a solid 14 weeks of conditioning during the Fall season, a high school long sprinter/hurdler will most definitely be well prepared for the challenges of the ensuing indoor and outdoor competitive phases. Not only will their performance show the dividends, but the athletes will have also made big steps towards preventing injuries, and will directly enjoy the
The most obvious difference between indoor and outdoor track & field is the size of the track: Shorter, or exactly half the size of a standard outdoor track. Some newer venues are large enough to accommodate oversized indoor tracks as long as 300 meters. Fewer running lanes, instead of the eight or nine lanes typical of an outdoor track. Banked turns. Another difference between indoor and outdoor tracks is that the better indoor tracks will have banked turns. They are bowl shaped rather
Than flat on the turns. In the same way that your car would slide to the outside going around corners when you drive if you didn’t slow down as you begin your turn, athletes going at high speeds would experience the same thing. On flat indoor tracks with tight turns they either must slow down to negotiate the turns, or be pulled outwards. World class facilities include: The Armory has had a special place in New York City for over 100 years. Built originally to house local units of the state’s volunteer militia and later the National Guard, The Armory later became the hub for the City’s track and field enthusiast. The building was repurposed in the early 1980s as a homeless shelter, and for ten years its famed track became lost behind painted black windows and under 1,800 beds. Today, with the help of private contributions like yours, the spirit of The Armory as a place competition and fellowship has been restored. Now recognized as one of the fastest tracks in the world, The Armory is creating a new history and making possible stories like Alan Webb’s sub-four-minute-mile, the first ever by a high schooler, run at The Armory on January 20, 2001. The Ocean Breeze Track and Field Athletic Complex is a 135,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art indoor track and field facility in Ocean Breeze, Park Staten Island.
America’s next generation of track & field stars compete throughout the summer (High-Performance Training for Track and Field) and over 6,000 of these athletes qualify for the USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships held during the last week of July. Entry for the national championship is based on athlete performances at preliminary, Association, and Regional levels. From the 100 meter dash to the discus throw, athletes set new standards for excellence in sport. USATF’s Junior Olympic Track & Field program is a wellspring of this excellence.
TRACK AND FIELD CAMPS… At Track and Field Running Camps you will become a better, faster, and smarter athlete. You’ll leave camp with increased running knowledge, new friends, and an enhanced love for the sport! Training under the country’s best coaches. College campus venues with excellent facilities. Education in the latest training techniques. Create self-confidence and make new friends and camp prizes.
Track meets are very long events which will last for about 4 – 6 hours. Therefore it is important that you take the proper track meet necessities along with you. Meets are held on Saturday or Sunday. Some of the larger meets like regional and national competitions are spread over two or more days. AAU & USATF sanctioned meets (begin in June) are two day (Sat. & Sun.) meets and may require travel out of state. Club fees are between $100 – $200 which may or may not include a uniform. The fees required for each track meet that your child enters will vary. Amounts may be fixed or may depend on the number of events in which your child will be competing. Generally, meet registration will cost between $5 and $20.
2C2W 