running form bounce??

Question

Im 16 years old male and run track and do crosscountry my i have been running for 2 years and my coachs say i have a bounce when i run meaning during races im in the air alot of time so for every one step i take everyone else takes to because im in the air how can i fix this?

Answer 1

Either you are pushing off too soon, running too erect or both. This gives you too much upward lift instead of forward push. So, when you are running, try a subtle forward lean and wait a bit before you "push off". When you are doing it correctly, your "back kick" will be very low and you will be running faster.

Answer 2

I used to have the same problem. One of my coaches told me to watch the person's shoulder in front of me if they were not bouncing, that way I could see if I was bouncing or not. Another thing to do is lower your hips slightly when you run like you are about to sit down this will help focus your energy forward instead of up.

Answer 3

Run in a bit of a crouch, as if you were trying to sneak up on the guy in front of you. What I mean is not so much leaning forward as lowering where your waist is and bending your legs a bit more. You will notice you have a tendency to land in the middle of your feet, not the balls of your foot, and you will feel it more in your thighs and your back, but you won't be in the air for as long and the landing shock on your feet will be less, letting you run for longer without shin splints, etc.

Good luck.

Answer 4

I have the same problem... if u concentrate on an object inthe distance (like a person in front of you) you wont bouce as much...Hmm if ur #1 ur SOL :D

Answer 5

i had the same problem. my coach told me to imagine as if i was running on eggshells. So basically he wanted me to, instead of taking long strides, to take smaller strides but more of them. try it out. you will stop bouncing.

Answer 6

ur bouncing your head maybe