5 Questions with Syracuse Coach Dave Hegland

Back in 2012, I interviewed Syracuse Coach Dave Hegland on the Freelap Friday Five.

There is another article worth noting on the Freelap USA website.

Dave Hegland is the Assistant Coach at Syracuse University. He is a former hurdler and has transformed his expertise to the hurdles as well as sprints.

In the hurdles, he coached Jarret Eaton (2012 NCAA 60mH winner) and Ramon Sosa (2008 NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Championships in the 60m and 110m hurdles).

Here are the 5 Questions:

1. The Transition from 8 to 7 Steps
2. Intensive Tempo Sessions
3. Hurdle Training Heights and Distances
4. Cross Training
5. Acceleration and Timing

1. The Transition from 8 to 7 Steps

Freelap USA: The transition from 8 to 7 steps is not as easy as doing some starts in the fall and hoping things work out. Could you share what general development aspects coaches in high school can think about so they are not impairing long-term development with 8 steps but not pushing 7 steps early. The transition and decision is very unique and copying elite athletes can be a disaster. What are your thoughts here?

Dave Hegland: I don’t see the need for many high school athletes to even consider 7 steps. I think the strength and skill demands are so great that any potential move to 7 is almost always best left until an athlete is very accomplished with a traditional 8 step approach. Nearly all of the elite athletes we see 7-stepping today achieved quite impressive results on 8 steps before deciding to make the switch. I would think that as long as high school coaches are improving speed and power, they are paving the way for a potential switch down the road.

To read the other 4 answers, click on the Freelap USA link. Highly recommended.