Jebreh Harris, Head CC Coach/Asst T&F Coach, Azuza Pacific University
This video is a segment from one of the 144 Videos in Glazier Drive Track & Field. Explore coaching clinic replays, practice plans, skill development videos, and more. Click here to see all that’s included.
The full video is available on Glazier Drive: Be a Coachable Coach: Benefits of Learning Other Event Areas
REACTION & TIMING
Every event in track and field shares a common thread of reaction and timing — whether it’s responding to the starting gun, reading a race situation, or executing a precise pole vault clearance. Coaches across all disciplines are essentially teaching the same concepts from different angles.
PHASES OF MOVEMENT
The speaker breaks down universal movement phases that apply to every event: the drive/push phase (sprinters and throwers alike are pushing from the ground up), transition (the shift in effort mid-race or mid-throw), acceleration (universal to all events), and maintenance (the disciplined, relaxed finishing mechanics seen in elite athletes like Cole Hawker).
RUNNING MECHANICS & INJURY PREVENTION
Good mechanics apply from the 100m to the 10K. Front-end mechanics (driving the knee forward) and back-end mechanics (minimizing ground contact time behind the body) should be practiced intentionally — even during warm-ups and cool-downs. Don’t let athletes just jog aimlessly; use that time to reinforce proper form.
STRENGTH, WEIGHT ROOM & PLYOMETRICS
Progressive strength training is non-negotiable for all event groups. The key word is progressive. The goal isn’t size or max lifts — it’s functional movement, restoration, and faster recovery. The speaker recommends building a strong relationship with your strength and conditioning coach and sharing training plans across staff.
KEY TRAINING TOOLS
Olympic lifts (hang cleans, push jerks), bodybuilding/bodyweight exercises, med ball/multi-throws, and plyometrics all work together. Med ball work is especially useful as a bridge to Olympic lifting positions for coaches or athletes not yet comfortable in the weight room. Plyometrics develop ground reaction, coordination, power, and efficiency.
BOTTOM LINE FOR COACHES
Track and field has far more similarities across events than differences. Stay coachable, learn from coaches in other event areas, and build a shared training language with your athletes and staff. Dynamic, well-rounded athletes are consistently the ones standing at the top of the podium.