running for the very young "fresh" athlete

[ODBSGIRL]

Some people seem to think that all kids are born with the ability to run but my 9 year old has an issue we need to fix. Everyone in my family runs the same way, slow and with hips in front so it looks like a cartoon train trying to start...legs are spinnin but not going anywhere. She's the tallest girl on her softball team, and the slowest. My brother had his son go to a coach to change his running gait by practicing things like marching in place to get the arm-pump coordinated with the legs then moving up to walking that way then running and it helped some. I've tried walking quickly during hikes encouraging her to imitate my arm swing. Any other suggestions? I've thought about making her walk uphill to get her head down and swing her arms but not having any sort of real idea what I'm doing, I don't know if that's the right thing to do. She doesn't seem to be able to pick her feet up either, it's more of a shuffle. Is it possible to change what seems to be a genetic gait?

[Will Haskell]

She might have possible genetic anomalies that could alter structure and give her a difficult time running. Have a PT or doctor take a look at her pelvic tilt. Depending on which way her pelvis may be rotated can have an effect on her gait. Beyond that it just sounds like she has poor running technique. One of the best ways to teach technique is skipping drills and hurdle runs. These drills will help teach knee lift while also teaching the proper way to drive force down and back into the ground effeciently. It is difficult to describe each drill so you can visualize how it should look. My mentor produces a DVD which is probably the best movement skill resource available. You can find it at: www.sportsspeedetc.com If you have any further questions I'm available at hoopdreams51@aol.com. If you do get the DVD I'm the big guy demonstrating many of the drills. You'll be able to see how adjusting technique has allowed for a bigger guy like myself to move like I was much more compact.

[ODBSGIRL]

Thanks Will, what you've described sounds a lot like what my brother told me the trainer had his son do. I'll look into that DVD for help with instructing her. At her age and playing level I think she just needs a little help with technique and we'll see if maybe she needs some other type of intervention later on. THANKS