I had posted a thread last year in May 2005 on this frustrating subject
of running hurdles and getting wacked by the guys next to you.
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Here is an email exchange from this year's 2006 season beginning...
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OUR EMAIL TO ANOTHER TEAM'S COACH --->
On Thursday night, 3/16/06,
We attended the boys invitational indoor track meet.
Eight area high schools participated in this track meet.
Our son has run hurdles for the last 3 years...
As the level of running peers becomes
closer in times, we have experienced
a continuing problem of "runner interference".
At this last track meet,
our son placed 1st in the prelim round of hurdles,
and then advanced to the finals.
Yet, in the finals, he only scored 5th place.
WHY - - because of "runner interference".
The runner next to him, from your school,
on almost EVERY hurdle
was flinging his arms wide out to his sides
as if performing a swan dive.
This action was basically punching
our son in the chest and face.
Your runner KNEW he did it,
as at the finish line,
he asked our son "if they were good" ?
The end result: your runner finished 2nd,
and "punched" our son down from 1st to 5th.
This has happened previously, at other meets,
and yet has NEVER been called as an infraction,
a violation, or disqualifying the runner.
The coaches have seen it, the spectators,
and even other runners have asked our son....
hey, what's with that kid hitting you ?
It's unfortunate that the "starter"
never "sees" any of this happen.
And when confronted with witnesses, coaches,
or even video tape confirming the actions,
the reply is always "I didn't see it happen".
Once the "starter" fires the pistol,
he is getting ready for the next heat/event.
There is no "official"
watching for any kind of "runner interference".
How do you teach a runner to "defend" for himself
against unfair and unacknowledged violations ?
How do you get the "starter"
to become an "official" and watch for these
types of special "runner interference" situations,
and disqualify those runners.
How do you encourage a "good" hurdle runner
to continue running these events,
when there is no one else demanding fair play ?
THE OTHER TEAM COACH'S REPLY ----->>>>
The bumping that occurs in hurdles and running in general is one of
those things that happen. Just like Basketball is a non-contact sport.
Those bumps/hits are not on purpose nor is coached. It is something
that happens especially in the hurdles since they are close to one
another. The athlete is trying to keep their balance as they are in
flight. The newer athletes have a harder time with this but in time
their arms become more under control. I ran the hurdles in High School
and College. I have been bumped/hit several times. When I complained
to my coach, he said to me, "if you don't want to get hit, then get in
front of them. It's just part of the event." I didn't like what the
coach told me but that was about all they could do. The starter has to
watch everyone in the event (not just one kid). Those bumps occur so
fast that unless you are specifically watching 1 kid, you don't catch
it. I know this does not help your son, but he is learning that this is
part of the event (not necessarily fair). Your son is a fine hurdler
and has a bright future in front of him. Hopefully this meet won't
discourage him.