Forrester PE Dept

CO-ORDINATION

 

Definition

Coordination is the ability to control your body movements smoothly and fluently. It is the ability to link a series of movements or subroutines together by moving your body parts in the correct order. It often involves moving 2 or more body parts together at the same time to perform a particular action/skill/movement effectively.

 

Impact on Performance

Coordination is particularly important when performing a complex skill or when performing a skill/action at speed. Performing the correct technique for the hurdles requires lots of coordination. You must first have the correct stride length and number of strides between the hurdles. Then drive/extend the lead leg over the hurdle, whilst leaning forward at the waist and bringing the opposite arm forward. As you bend your trail leg to the side and over the hurdle you must simultaneously begin to snap down your lead leg, and the same time as keeping as low as possible over the hurdle. All this needs to be performed smoothly and at speed in order to clear the hurdles as quickly as possible. Poor coordination could result in a wrong foot taking off over the hurdle; hesitation at a hurdle; knocking over (hitting) a hurdle / poor technique and therefore a slower speed over the hurdle.