Guest coach on Monday 3.22.10

This is not Coach Lozier, but you have to think that height is close

On Monday we had an awesome guest coach stop by our high jump practice, Jeff Lozier (spelling?). Jeff is one of our athletes' uncles and was able to provide some much needed insight that I could never adequately provide, and that is that he actually competed at this event. As a matter of fact, he did so very well. With a PR of 7'6" how could we not listen and learn.

Coach Lozier pretty much took over the practice from the beginning and introduced the athletes to some new warm-ups that involved medicine balls, cones, and speed ladders. The focus of the warm-up was on preparing the athletes for the explosiveness that comes with jumping. The progression:

• Med ball underhand forward throw
• Med ball overhead throw
• Butt kicks for reps over ten meters
• High knees with hamstring kick over cones
• Fall in runs through a progressively sized ladder (loved this drill, esp. for LJers & TJers)

From there we went to the jump apron and worked on circle runs. We started at 17' of radius in the circle, and we ran inside the circle, which was new to me and I loved it. Total of 4 circle runs.

Then came the heart of the practice--approaches and full jumps. Coach Lozier gave all the athletes detailed evaluation of their approaches, specifically in the curve. He was amazingly patient given the recent changes all of the athletes have made to their marks, and as a result their starting marks (the athletes were also patient, bravo!). Takeaways from this:

• We. Must. Jump. Up. (not into the pit)
• The curves significance- this should sound familiar
  
• Measuring your mark- confirm your measurements at all meets with measuring the three sides of the triangle
• Curve initiation mark- I usually wait a few more weeks to introduce this, but it is good to hear it now

Coach Lozier provided personal experience with what it takes to reach high heights and go beyond what we think we can. It is not easy, and nothing is guaranteed, but attention, hard work, and dedication will take you further than you may think. Remember, talent is overrated.