Steeplechase or running with obstacles

Steeplechase or run with obstacles for 3 thousand meters - this is one of the disciplines that make up the track and field athletics program. This discipline teaches athletes to be hardy, attentive, technical, tactful.

Steeplechase officially appeared around the middle of the 19th century in the UK, where the results of running Oxford students at a distance of 3218 meters were recorded.

The obstacle course was included in the list of the Summer Olympic Games for men in 1920, and for women - since 2008 and includes: overcoming the obstacle of "pit with water", running between obstacles.

In total, the athlete must overcome 35 different barriers, including seven pits with water.
In the world of sport today leading men are runners from Kenya and women runners from Russia.

The main complexity of this type of athletics is the uniform distribution of power to all 7 laps plus the preservation of additional physical capacity to overcome obstacles. The athlete is allowed to jump over the barrier without touching his feet (which greatly shortens the time spent), and step on him with his foot.

Running with obstacles is considered one of the most difficult subspecies of athletics, because during its performance the athlete needs not only to run a huge distance, but also to overcome all 35 obstacles on the way to the finish. This requires maximum endurance and physical effort.

Running 400 meters with barriers is a short-distance race for men and women. This is a standard circle. At this distance, 10 barriers are set, the height of each is 91.4 meters for men and 76.2 meters for women. Athletes are allowed to step on the barriers and shoot down obstacles without penalty.

Running 110 meters with barriers is the most difficult kind of athletics. The height of the barrier for men is 106.7 meters, and for women - 83.3 meters. The distance between the barriers does not change and is equal to 9.14 meters. Only the distance from the start to the first obstacle is slightly larger and equal to 13.72 meters.

Conditionally, the change in the speed of the athlete can be divided into 4 parts: start and takeoff after the start; Overcoming the obstacle; Run between obstacles and finishing.

Basically, the technique of running with obstacles is similar to the technique of normal running for long distances. But still there are some exceptions. The difference is in the ability of the athlete to correctly calculate and timely change the angle of repulsion from the ground in front of the obstacle, as well as immediately after it. In addition, the ability of the runner to correctly jump and land after a jump is necessary. With unsuccessful movements, various stretch marks and injuries are possible. Repel should be even 210 meters before the barrier.

When passing through the obstacle, the jogging foot is bent at the knee and pulled to the trunk to reduce inertia. To land should be on the toe, with a heel without touching the path.

In order for the athlete to learn how to properly run with obstacles, there are certain methods worked out over the years:

• Technique of familiarizing the athlete with a barrier run ;
• Training in techniques to overcome obstacles ;
• Training in technique and the rhythm of running between obstacles;
• Training in low-start technology and acceleration after the start;
• Training in running technique with barriers and improving running techniques.