• Run in a forward motion toward the finish line.
  • Begin hurdle movement close to the hurdle without hitting.
    • Lead leg (the first leg over the hurdle).
      • Bend at hips to lift leg forward. 
      • Leg straight over hurdle - parallel to the ground. 
      • Foot lands in a straight line to running. 
    • Follow leg (follows the lead leg).
      • Take leg out sideways and lift leg to the side. 
      • Bend at knee and bring heel to bottom. 
      • Toes pulled up towards shin. 
      • Knee pulls through and lifts towards chest. 
      • Foot lands in a straight line to running. 
  • Smooth, fast running between the hurdles. 
  • Any number of hurdles can be knocked down accidentally.  
• Wheel in a forward motion toward the finish line.
  • Look up and straight ahead. 
  • Arm push begins with hands on rim at 1-2 o’clock, push through to 6-7 o’clock, release.  
  • Lift elbows high and forward to reconnect at 1-2 o’clock. 
  • Use smooth fast strokes.  
  • Lean slightly forward (requires safe wheelchair set up). 

Race Technique 

• Official or Age Manager will show athletes to their lanes and the starting line.  
• When race starter says “On your Marks”.
  • Move up to stand behind the line.   
  • Point feet point in direction of run.  
  • Listen or look for the next instruction.  
• Race starter says “Set”.
  • Front leg forward and bent (behind line). 
  • Back leg bent and weight on balls of foot.  
  • Listen or look for the next instruction. 
• Race starter says “go”.
  • Listen for the bang of the gun and run. 
    Or  
  • Look for the visual sign of arm lowering or light flash and run. 
• Race
  • Run between the lines of your lane (for races up to and including 400m). 
  • Keep moving until you are past the end line.  

• Reduce height of hurdles to match the athlete’s stepping height and balance. 
• Reduce the number of hurdles. 
• Reduce the distance of race.  
• Athlete can run without hurdles. 
• Use modified hurdles.
  • Soft hurdles.  
  • Place items to step over such as pole or stick or baton. 
  • Draw a line on the track or place a ribbon or mat. 
  • Cones/marker beside lane. 
• Allow different actions for the hurdle.
  • Shalom – Athlete weaves around hurdles rather than go over them (need space around hurdles). 
  • When using modified hurdles can use a different action when reach the marker.
    • Step or skip. 
    • Raise hands momentarily (from wheelchair or frame runner). 
• Assistive Technology (equipment) is used to support balance so the athlete can compete.
  • You can allow the athlete to use their everyday equipment. This is Assistive Technology that they use in their everyday life, not for a short-term injury.
    • Crutches.
    • Walking frame.
    • Wheelchair.
    • Orthotics.
    • Prosthetics.
  • Specialised Assistive Technology for athletics can be used.
    • Frame Runner.
    • Race Wheelchair.
    • Gloves.
  • Athletes may need a helper adult (for example parent or support worker or therapist) to use the equipment safely and effectively, especially when learning – ask the athlete what they need. 
• Think about lane allocations.
  • Athletes will likely need 2 lanes or a spare lane either side.  
  • Encourage the athlete to use the lane with the smoothest surface to reduce risk of injury due to reduced balance and body awareness. 
  • Sometimes the inside lane has a lip on the track which can be a tripping hazard. 
  • The outside lane has a gentler curve which is helpful if using equipment or the athlete needs help from an adult (for example parent or support worker or therapist). 
• Starter gun.
  • Visual signal required for athletes with sensitivity to noise. They may also choose to wear ear muffs or start on the opposite side to the gun. 
  • Visual or touch signal required for deaf and hard of hearing athletes.
    • Hand or flag raised on “get set” and lowered on “go”. 
    • Athlete in lane 1 or 8 with the person signaling to stand to the same side. 
    • Gently tap the shoulder on “go”.  Stand out of the way of their start. 
  • Audible signal required for athletes with vision impairment. 
• For blind and low vision athletes, use a guide athlete. See the sensory page for more information.
• Use bright markers to show where to run.

Before you Start  

• Hurdles are the correct height for the athlete’s age OR  athletes’ ability.   
• Hurdles face the correct direction.
• Hurdles are clear of each other – ie not touching the hurdle in the next lane.
• Hurdles are in the correct position on the track.

Safety  

• Only jump a hurdle in the correct direction so it falls over if you hit it.   

Officials – Time person  

• Pre-race.
  • Position yourself to see the race starter.
  • Your timing device is on 0:00.00  
  • Time a place rather than a lane or athlete.
• When race starter indicates “go”.
  • Start timing when you see the smoke or light or arm lower.
• To end race.
  • Stop the timing device when the torso of the athlete crosses the line.
• When is a runner disqualified?
  • If the athlete runs in another lane (for races up to and including 400m).
  • If an athlete interferes or impedes another athlete’s performance.

Officials – Race starter 

• Pre-race.
  • Check time people are ready.
  • Stand so that you can see all athletes.
• When you say “On your Marks”.
  • Hold your arm parallel to the ground.
  • Call the next command when athletes are steady.
• When you say “Set”.
  • Move your arm above your head.
  • If the athlete is unsteady, or moves before go, start the whole process again. Allow an approximation for appropriate athletes. 
• You say “go”.
  • Fire the gun and/or flash light .
  • Lower arm.

Recording  

• Record the time to the nearest tenth (10^th) of a second.