John shepherd

My thoughts (adding to many) on @WorldAthletics long jump board change proposals. Best not to do it! It won’t work well in 95% of comps… it could be dangerous… read more here: m.facebook.com/story.php?sto…

Jumping explosiveness is based on the transition from the eccentric to the concentric stimulus. It’s plyometric - weight training is usually slow concentric … fast eccentric and quick switching time is needed to jump. 🏋️‍♀️ can limit specific strength.

Heath-Robinson approach to measuring jump height in the light of our recent eccentric focus training designed to do this. If I set up and film in the same place each time it may be useful. Jump height did seem better - note the jumpers were not trying to jump higher. (Bar 1.30m)

Doing some research on assisted plyometrics. We’ve been doing them for a couple of weeks now. Be interesting to see what the transfer is. Remember it’s difficult to just attribute change to just one inclusion - it’s how all the training ingredients function together

I was a guest on Colm Bourke’s Track & Field Performance podcast - we talk about many things including how to train speed all year round, why tempo training and even circuits can be a waste of time. Keep@is specific and fast! podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcas…

Some new ideas and drills for the autumn training period. Don’t just pick blindly from the “internet shelf”… consider carefully your selections and how they fit into your existing training programmes and philosophy youtu.be/Rg_lqNXVNvw

French Contrast Training uses 4 exercises on the force speed continuum. We found it too intense but this may reflect my programming. It’s benefits may well reflect potentiation rather than specific exercise selection & order. Any complex/contrast training could be as effective

Hitch-kick - U18 athlete Andrew is learning to hitch changing from a “poor” hang. To me the key position is the second image. Hold the drive and then push the foot away and sweep leg long. This “block” “push-pull” can add significant jump distance

Trying out some new training ideas (well new to me). Some resisted drills and plyos. The time before winter training starts for real seems to be the ideal time to trial new ideas Thanks to speedbands for kit

HOW TO GET A GREAT RUN-UP My thoughts in this month’s @AthleticsWeekly How to phase the run-up, why it’s the long jumper’s sprint training, difference between long and triple jump approaches & more

Great jumping from u17 to win the @EnglandAthletic u17 champs with two windy PBs 7.38m and 7.40m. Well deserved after some disappointment 👏🏽

Is social media neglected by coaches and an area we could better utilise. I’ve tried to produce informative content for quite a while. It’s not easy - you’ve got to learn quite a bit more than how to coach the take-off. What do you think - embrace or necessary evil??

Very much the British Athletics topic of the month (+ a lack of female coaches on the team @NicholsonLinda). The non approval of WA invites seems contrary to developing athletes. So an athlete is motivated to “show them” but perhaps this show could have happened in Hungary.

Nice to have two guys selected for Commonwealth Youth Games … from both sides of the Atlantic. D’Mitri England and Andrew Trinidad. Both have jumped over 7.30m…. Good luck to all

SINGLE V DOUBLE TRIPLE JUMP ARM ACTION Some theory and practice. Why don’t more women use a double arm action? I’m beginning to work a few things out. Key is reaction and not slowing the phase transitions (too much) with a double. If u can keep the speed it looks positive.

Athletes leave coaches when they are not doing so well & sometimes a change is needed. What baffles me is when successful athletes leave successful coaches. Have they forgotten what worked? Similar applies with the Uni transition … lack of communication & often poor performance

Totally agree … put your heel on the board and there’s a potential big problem … the plasticine used to stop slipping to a degree.

After three fouls in the British Champs it was great for Leigh to win at the English Champs and in very wet, cold and windy conditions. The only two jumps in the comp over 6m (6.17 and 6.14). Onwards and upwards