T&F AI logo Track & Field AI Track & Field AI
[01]Hurdles Tips

Hurdles tips that work

Cues, not corrections

"Drive your knee" beats "your knee was a little low." Cue-based coaching gets the change to happen in the next rep, not the next month. AI prescribes cues for what it sees, not just diagnostic notes.

One cue per rep

Most athletes try to fix three things at once and fix none. Pick one cue per rep, see what it does, then iterate. The AI surfaces the one cue that would close the biggest gap in your hurdles.

Cues tied to phases

A cue is only useful if it triggers in the right phase. "Heel down" means nothing without a moment to apply it. Each AI tip is timestamped to the phase of hurdles it belongs to.

Personalized tips

Personalized hurdles tips, from your own video

Generic tip lists are everywhere. Tips tied to your specific form errors are not. Upload a clip and AI returns the 1-3 cues that would change the most in your hurdles, ranked by impact.

Follow up in chat and ask questions. The AI remembers your analysis and speaks the language of hurdles coaching.

  • Free first analysis, no account required
  • Offline history cached on your device
  • Priority-tagged coaching notes
  • AI chat follow-up on every analysis
Hurdler clearing a barrier, lead leg extended, frame from Track & Field AI (with AI tips)
Hurdles · Sample analysis “Trail leg is dropping below horizontal over barrier 4, costs you a full beat of rhythm into barrier 5.”
[01]Phase by phase

The full hurdles sequence, broken down

Each phase has a coaching cue, a measurable target, the frames a coach pauses on, and the failure mode AI flags most often. Use it as a self-diagnostic checklist on every video.

01
Phase 01 / 05

Approach to first hurdle

8 strides for men's 110H, 8 strides for women's 100H. Sets up the rhythm for the entire race.

Cue"Tall and quick. Eyes on the first hurdle."
TargetTakeoff distance: 7-7.5 ft (110H), 6.5-7 ft (100H). 22 strides to first hurdle (HS boys), 23-24 (HS girls).
FramesBlock clearance, stride 4 (mid-acceleration), stride 7 (preparing takeoff), takeoff frame.
FailureReaching for the takeoff (overstriding to hit the mark).
02
Phase 02 / 05

Lead leg clearance

Lead knee drives toward the top of the hurdle. Lower leg stays relaxed and tucked, then snaps out as the knee crosses the bar.

Cue"Lead-leg knee to opposite elbow."
TargetKnee drive 90 deg+ at the bar. Foot lands ~3-4 ft past hurdle (men), 2.6-3.3 ft (women).
FramesTakeoff, peak hurdle-clearance, lead foot landing.
FailureLead leg locked-out before clearance (slow, high). Should snap, not kick.
03
Phase 03 / 05

Trail leg recovery

Trail leg is the takeoff leg, lifted with knee high and foot turned out. Heel comes to butt; foot avoids the hurdle.

Cue"Heel to butt, toe to the side."
TargetTrail leg knee passes the hip and drives forward at clearance.
FramesMid-clearance (lead leg over bar), trail leg passing the body, first ground contact.
FailureTrail leg dragging (not enough drive); foot pointed forward instead of out (clips hurdle).
04
Phase 04 / 05

Touchdown and stride pattern

Active foot strike ahead of center of mass, into a 3-stride rhythm between hurdles.

Cue"Active foot, claw the ground."
Target3-step rhythm between hurdles (8.5 m gap, 100H; 9.14 m, 110H). Touchdown 0.80-1.0 m past hurdle (W), ~1.5 m (M).
FramesLead foot landing, stride 1, stride 2, stride 3 (next takeoff).
FailurePassive landing; flat-footed touchdown; rhythm break by hurdle 4-5.
05
Phase 05 / 05

Run-in (last hurdle to finish)

Hold form, accelerate or maintain, no shortening of stride.

Cue"Run through the line."
TargetVelocity at last hurdle vs finish: < 3% drop in elite races.
FramesLast hurdle clearance, stride 5 after, finish frame.
FailureTightening shoulders, dropping head back, arms crossing midline.
[09]Methodology & sources

References

Primary sources behind the numbers and methods on this page.

  1. Kinematic Factors Associated with Hitting Hurdles During the Initial Phase of a 110-m Hurdle Race (PMC)
  2. The Biomechanics of Hurdling (Coaches Insider)
  3. LA84 Hurdles Training Manual
  4. From Start to Finish: The Women's 100m Hurdles (Track & Field News)
[10]Common questions

Hurdles Tips FAQ

Five common questions about hurdles that come up in coaching.

How many hurdles tips should I work on at once?
One. Cue-based coaching only works one cue at a time. AI prescribes the single tip that would close the biggest gap.
Are hurdles tips the same for HS and college athletes?
Most are. The cues coaches use scale across levels, the gap they're closing changes.
Can I get tips for my own hurdles video?
Yes, that's the whole point. Generic tip lists are everywhere. Tips tied to your form are not.
Do these tips work for women's hurdles?
Yes. The phases and form points are the same. Targets adjust to the athlete, not to gender.
How often should I get new hurdles tips?
After each video re-test. The tip changes when the form changes.
[INDEX]More ways to dial in your hurdles

The full hurdles index

A directory of every hurdles page on the site, from broad analysis tools to specific phase deep-dives. Each entry points to a focused write-up.

Try it free

Get tips for your own hurdles.

Download the app. Film a rep. See what the AI sees. Free first analysis, no card, no account required.

60s
Time per analysis
Free first analysisNo card
Coaching languagePlain English
Hurdles modelsEvent-specific