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We started our day off with our team/individual photos. It took a long time due to how large our team is, but was a fun experience.
After we finished up our photos we had a quick meeting, and then went outside for a speed-focused day.
This time around I started with the guy jumpers and had a longer-than-usual block of time with them. We focused on approach work in both the long and triple jumps, and had a great deal of success!
At the beginning I split the groups up into two (long jumpers and triple jumpers). The long jumpers were approaching at their top speed and making sure their marks were on point. The triple jumpers started with running at their top speed, but then were told to attempt to find a speed that was roughly 70% of that speed. I also asked them to perform the hop phase into the sandpit at that speed to help them better understand how to perform the first phase at that speed.
You could see some light bulbs going off as they realized what jumping at a "controllable speed" meant. That is what the triple jump is all about - approaching at a controllable speed. If athletes approach too aggressively they will have a great deal of difficulty performing the phases properly and will put themselves in danger.
Once the boys finished up, the girls came over and did the same thing.
Both groups did very well and are starting to show a better understanding of what should happen when they're in the lane. It's great to see that understanding growing each and every day.
TOMORROW:
Meet # 3! Kids not competing will have a competition style day at practice and will be "pushed" HARD.