Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Little-Athletics-Australia-Logo

Hurdles

Hurdles Featured Image

Hurdles Skills 

Technique 

  • Run in a forward motion toward the finish line. 
    • Begin hurdle movement close to the hurdle without hitting. 
      • Lead leg (the first leg over the hurdle). 
        • Bend at hips to lift leg forward. 
        • Leg straight over hurdle - parallel to the ground. 
        • Foot lands in a straight line to running. 
      • Follow leg (follows the lead leg). 
        • Take leg out sideways and lift leg to the side. 
        • Bend at knee and bring heel to bottom. 
        • Toes pulled up towards shin. 
        • Knee pulls through and lifts towards chest. 
        • Foot lands in a straight line to running. 
    • Smooth, fast running between the hurdles. 
    • Any number of hurdles can be knocked down accidentally.  
  • Wheel in a forward motion toward the finish line. 
    • Look up and straight ahead. 
    • Arm push begins with hands on rim at 1-2 o’clock, push through to 6-7 o’clock, release.  
    • Lift elbows high and forward to reconnect at 1-2 o’clock. 
    • Use smooth fast strokes.  
    • Lean slightly forward (requires safe wheelchair set up). 

Race Technique 

  • Official or Age Manager will show athletes to their lanes and the starting line.  
  • When race starter says “On your Marks”.  
    • Move up to stand behind the line.   
    • Point feet point in direction of run.  
    • Listen or look for the next instruction.  
  • Race starter says “Set”. 
    • Front leg forward and bent (behind line). 
    • Back leg bent and weight on balls of foot.  
    • Listen or look for the next instruction. 
  • Race starter says “go”. 
    • Listen for the bang of the gun and run. 
      Or  
    • Look for the visual sign of arm lowering or light flash and run. 
  • Race 
    • Run between the lines of your lane (for races up to and including 400m). 
    • Keep moving until you are past the end line.  

Modification Options 

  • Reduce height of hurdles to match the athlete’s stepping height and balance. 
  • Reduce the number of hurdles. 
  • Reduce the distance of race.  
  • Athlete can run without hurdles. 
  • Use modified hurdles. 
    • Soft hurdles.  
    • Place items to step over such as pole or stick or baton. 
    • Draw a line on the track or place a ribbon or mat. 
    • Cones/marker beside lane. 
  • Allow different actions for the hurdle. 
    • Shalom - Athlete weaves around hurdles rather than go over them (need space around hurdles). 
    • When using modified hurdles can use a different action when reach the marker. 
      • Step or skip. 
      • Raise hands momentarily (from wheelchair or frame runner). 
  • Assistive Technology (equipment) is used to support balance so the athlete can compete.  
    • You can allow the athlete to use their everyday equipment. This is Assistive Technology that they use in their everyday life, not for a short-term injury. 
      • Crutches.
      • Walking frame.
      • Wheelchair.
      • Orthotics.
      • Prosthetics.
    • Specialised Assistive Technology for athletics can be used. 
      • Frame Runner.
      • Race Wheelchair.
      • Gloves.
    • Athletes may need a helper adult (for example parent or support worker or therapist) to use the equipment safely and effectively, especially when learning – ask the athlete what they need. 
  • Think about lane allocations. 
    • Athletes will likely need 2 lanes or a spare lane either side.  
    • Encourage the athlete to use the lane with the smoothest surface to reduce risk of injury due to reduced balance and body awareness. 
    • Sometimes the inside lane has a lip on the track which can be a tripping hazard. 
    • The outside lane has a gentler curve which is helpful if using equipment or the athlete needs help from an adult (for example parent or support worker or therapist). 
  • Starter gun.
    • Visual signal required for athletes with sensitivity to noise. They may also choose to wear ear muffs or start on the opposite side to the gun. 
    • Visual or touch signal required for deaf and hard of hearing athletes. 
      • Hand or flag raised on “get set” and lowered on “go”. 
      • Athlete in lane 1 or 8 with the person signaling to stand to the same side. 
      • Gently tap the shoulder on “go”.  Stand out of the way of their start. 
    • Audible signal required for athletes with vision impairment. 
  • For blind and low vision athletes, use a guide athlete. See the sensory page for more information.
  • Use bright markers to show where to run.

Before you Start  

  • Hurdles are the correct height for the athlete’s age OR athletes' ability.   
  • Hurdles face the correct direction.
  • Hurdles are clear of each other – ie not touching the hurdle in the next lane.
  • Hurdles are in the correct position on the track.

Safety  

  • Only jump a hurdle in the correct direction so it falls over if you hit it.   

Measuring 

Officials – Time person  

  • Pre-race.
    • Position yourself to see the race starter.
    • Your timing device is on 0:00.00  
    • Time a place rather than a lane or athlete.
  • When race starter indicates “go”.
    • Start timing when you see the smoke or light or arm lower.
  • To end race.
    • Stop the timing device when the torso of the athlete crosses the line.
  • When is a runner disqualified?  
    • If the athlete runs in another lane (for races up to and including 400m).
    • If an athlete interferes or impedes another athlete’s performance.

Officials – Race starter 

  • Pre-race.
    • Check time people are ready.
    • Stand so that you can see all athletes.
  • When you say “On your Marks”.
    • Hold your arm parallel to the ground.
    • Call the next command when athletes are steady.
  • When you say “Set”.
    • Move your arm above your head.
    • If the athlete is unsteady, or moves before go, start the whole process again. Allow an approximation for appropriate athletes. 
  • You say “go”.
    • Fire the gun and/or flash light .
    • Lower arm.

Recording  

  • Record the time to the nearest tenth (10th) of a second.
© 2024 Little Athletics Australia Limited
(ACN 632 256 181).
All rights reserved.
News

Coles Little Athletics Australia acknowledges and pays respect to all traditional custodians of the lands of which we work, run, jump and throw throughout Australia. We pay respect to elders both past, present and emerging.

We are committed to a positive future for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and to honor their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to this country and recognize the role and value of culture.