Today’s episode features coach, biomechanist and inventor, Adarian Barr. Adarian has been my primary mentor in the field of human performance over the last year and a half and has completely changed the way I view the majority of athletic movements. Through a greater awareness of what to watch and look for in athletic movements, to equaling (or bettering) things I did as an athlete in my early 20’s, to completely rewiring my approach to sprint and jump biomechanics, coach Barr’s work has been a complete game changer.
Adarian has experience coaching on a variety of levels, and has had a number of stops on the collegiate track and field circuit before his current work as a private coach and consultant. His methods are innovative, and he has the greatest awareness of various factors that go into a movement outcome that I’ve ever seen. Coach Barr has the ability to pick apart virtually any athletic feat into its core components, and then train those components with athletes of all levels.
On today’s podcast, we talk heavily about asymmetry in athletic performance. Not too long ago, coaches were talking about Usain Bolt’s asymmetrical stride, and then we just witnessed the longest long jump in the last 20 years, done by a 19 year old from Cuba with an asymmetrical run up and a very long last stride.
Knowing the principles behind the approach and the takeoff allows understanding and subsequent individualization of our athletes to their best performances. In this regards, we’ll be chatting asymmetry in regards to jumping and sprinting, as well as how it plays into plyometrics and timing. Adarian finishes things off with a conversation on training the foot, and how the foot is not as “weak” as we often think it to be.
Today’s episode is brought to you by SimpliFaster, supplier of high-end athletic development tools, such as the Freelap timing system, kBox, Sprint 1080, and more.
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Key Points:
- Thoughts on recent developments in the track and field world
- The importance of the “arm flap” movement (Rotational vs. Linear Movement)
- “Big-Step, Little-Step” rhythm
- Fundamental difference between big last step vs. little last step
- How to improve/construct your jumping approach
- The “Big-Little” Rhythm from a 3-point stance/sprint start/block set-up
- Importance of maintaining rhythm throughout a race
- Asymmetry in distance runners and field/court based sports
- The importance of rhythm in double leg jumps and single leg jumps
- Importance of timing in jumping
- How to integrate asymmetry and plyometrics
- Mistakes in training the foot
Adarian Barr Quotes
“The backside arm controls the impact of the front side leg”
“We need to stop saying bad technique, imperfect technique, incorrect technique.”
“Running is the base of every movement.”
“Exceptional athletes have exceptional timing.”
“Never train anyone how to stop.”
“If you’re trying to take up slack, you don’t want to do plyometric training.”
“Athletic posture takes up slack in the system.”
“A shortened muscle is the best muscle to work with.”
Show Notes
Juan Miguel Echevarria Long Jump 8.83
About Adarian Barr
Adarian Barr is a track coach and inventor based out of Woodland, California. His collegiate track and field coaching stops have included UW-Superior, Indiana State, UNC Pembroke, Yuba City Community College.
He has invented 9 devices from footwear to sleds to exercise devices. Adarian is a USATF Level II coach in the sprints, jumps, hurdles and relays. He has a master’s degree in Physical Education.
Adarian’s unique coaching style gets results, and his work on speed and biomechanics is being adapted by some of the top coaches in the nation.
More Adarian Barr Episodes
64: Adarian Barr on Biomechanical Truths and Coaching Myths in Sprinting
132: Adarian Barr on Ground Impulse as a Biomechanical Lynchpin
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