Ugly running

[USSF REF]

OK - so I admit it. I have an ugly running style. I've known about this ever since I made it to grade 7. Referee's on a high level have been letting me know about it too.

I think this is from not having my posture corrected when I was young. I still catch myself slouching - it makes me look mildly like I'm sticking my butt out and it's not really a majorly noticeable thing, until I start running at a slower pace. When I sprint, it looks fine. But when I trot, which you do a lot as a referee, I look just awkward and goofy.

Now, I know that this is something I would like to fix. I've never really understood why having an ugly running style is as big a deal as I perceive it to be, at least that is the way some see it.

But I'm writing in to ask all your running "experts" the hang around this forum.... How do I fix this problem? :o

[Ref Flunkie]

Get a new body?? :)

[gosellit]

You might want to try lengthening your stride when you jog. The goofiness is less noticeable. This is just a quick fix. Others may have a better, more permanent way to correct your problem.

[Hattrix]

I was at a coaches seminar today where a top NCAA strenth and conditioning coach was going over some training ideas. One of his comments was that a major thing they had to work on with college athletes was posture. Another was that core training, particularly abs, back, and hip exercises, was one of the best ways to work on posture. So you might look into some of those.

[falcon.7]

I too suffer from this affliction. I had someone tell me I looked like my dad died when I was out there. What I have been doing to correct it is consciously fixing my posture, whether in class or at home on the computer. I get my back straight, head up, feet down. Also, in slow games when I'm working on mechanics I try to change my posture so I look bigger. For me its much more of an issue because it adds to my "vertical phobia" (5'4"). While I'm at it I bring my shoulders back and puff out my chest a little. I need to do that to combat my lack of build (125 lbs.).

Don't feel bad for me, I can run a 2:40 marathon.

[nsa]

As far as posture, I'm told that the braces used when I broke my collar bone as a kid worked to give me a good posture. (Likely ruined by an affinity for tasty porters and Belgian ales these days.)

Don't feel bad for me, I can run a 2:40 marathon.Two years, forty days sounds about right for me. ;)

But I'm writing in to ask all your running "experts" the hang around this forum.... How do I fix this problem?Definitely not a "running expert", however, you might try slow Tai Chi exercises. Worked wonders for some calf problems I had a few years ago.

[Nesto]

OK - so I admit it. I have an ugly running style. I've known about this ever since I made it to grade 7. Referee's on a high level have been letting me know about it too.

I think this is from not having my posture corrected when I was young. I still catch myself slouching - it makes me look mildly like I'm sticking my butt out and it's not really a majorly noticeable thing, until I start running at a slower pace. When I sprint, it looks fine. But when I trot, which you do a lot as a referee, I look just awkward and goofy.

Now, I know that this is something I would like to fix. I've never really understood why having an ugly running style is as big a deal as I perceive it to be, at least that is the way some see it.

But I'm writing in to ask all your running "experts" the hang around this forum.... How do I fix this problem? :o
This isn't the answer you're looking for, but you probably have developed a running style suited to your body. Any changes you make should be done with much care to avoid injury - changing your running mechanics can be a tricky thing.

My in-depth running physiology knowledge is dated - was a high level middle distance sprinter in my youth - no longer! I actually had the opposite problem - too upright, inefficient. Way back then, the wisdom was to actually be a little hunched over. As a sprinter, you have to find the balance point to keep your chest open enough to breathe well and a slight forward lean to keep your hips and legs in an efficient flow.

Here are a few things to try -
1. Back doctor - go in for an evaluation. Maybe there are some structural things that can be fixed.
2. Physical therapy - see if a back doctor thinks you might benefit from PT. A good therapist can do an excellent mechanical evaluation - where you're imbalanced, etc. and help you find a training plan to follow.
3. Chiropractic - some swear by it (me), some swear at it. If you can, find one that has a good working relationship with the back doctors and physical therapists you go to.
4. Find a running coach - maybe a local running club or group, high schools or colleges nearby? Some physical therapists have relationships with schools around them too - maybe get a reference. If you use anyone, make sure they understand the kind of fitness and improvements you're looking for.

[Linus Tulagi]

Have you actually seen yourself run? Try watching a video of yourself filmed during a game and compare yourself to others.

Also, are you slower than others? If you get it done on the pitch maybe it doesn't matter so much how you look. Many good players look like hunchbacks. Pablo Mastroeni and that Welsh striker who used to play for Newcastle come to mind. I forget his name.

[campton]

Have you actually seen yourself run? Try watching a video of yourself filmed during a game and compare yourself to others.

Also, are you slower than others? If you get it done on the pitch maybe it doesn't matter so much how you look. Many good players look like hunchbacks. Pablo Mastroeni and that Welsh striker who used to play for Newcastle come to mind. I forget his name.

but part of refereeing is looking good while doing it. If you look awkward (not trying to put you down USSF :)) but it could stand between yo u and advancement. I had a posture problem while running and it caused my current injury. Right now i have a Sprained ACL, LCL, and Meniscus. Now, i am seeing a form of physical therapist who specializes in getting athletes back into top form. Try to find someone who specializes in athlete rehab, not just general rehab. Alot of trainers are great at getting yo u functional (like the person who helps my 50 year old dad) then there are guys who do the 16 year olds. Go to them, they get you in better physical condition.

[andymoss]

Core strengthening exercises will help you not slump so much.

When you are training, concentrate on imagining a cord sticking out of the top of your head attached to a helicopter (stay with me here!) that is gently pulling you up - it'll help straighten your back and shoulders. In time, it'll become natural.

Instead of trotting, try adding in some back-pedalling and side-stepping and save the bulk of the running for sprinting.

Good luck.

[USSF REF]

This is some good advice...

I'm not really slower than other referees, in fact I can say I'm often out in the front of the sprint heats during the fitness tests, and I can often out run many players (or at least run with them.)

But when watching videos of myself run, it just looks all awkward.

I think the advice here is really useful. I'm going to start working with someone soon, who can hopefully help me improve in this area.

[RichP]

Why trot/jog on the field when you don't have to? Speeds of 4-6 MPH are inefficient for both walking and running, so walk slower or run faster and try to avoid in-between. (This is not intended to disagree with other advice.)

[Wreave]

Treadmill + mirror.

Get on, set for speed. Trot. Look at yourself. Adjust till it looks right. Look away from the mirror. Look back. Readjust. Repeat.

Put on a soccer game on the TV for best results.

Repeat until your improved form feels right and is second nature, or until you get a FIFA appointment, whichever happens first.

[AspireNatlRef]

I disagree. Hell we all look arkward at some times. BUT I would rather have a referee who looks awkward running but makes great calls.

Steve, I have seen you officiate, and you don't look any more awkward than others. But you make the right decisions on the pitch. Sure, looking good is great and if its something you need to work on, work on it, but make the right calls, be in shape, which you are doing, and the rest falls into place.

I think it has more to do with stride than posture. Work on getting a longer stride and you look better. Posture is what you have to work on if you are overweight. You are a NC. You just need a longer stride and will look great....


That may not help much, but its the correct view, IMHO

ANR

[USSF REF]

I disagree. Hell we all look arkward at some times. BUT I would rather have a referee who looks awkward running but makes great calls.

Steve, I have seen you officiate, and you don't look any more awkward than others. But you make the right decisions on the pitch. Sure, looking good is great and if its something you need to work on, work on it, but make the right calls, be in shape, which you are doing, and the rest falls into place.

I think it has more to do with stride than posture. Work on getting a longer stride and you look better. Posture is what you have to work on if you are overweight. You are a NC. You just need a longer stride and will look great....


That may not help much, but its the correct view, IMHO

ANR


That is interesting to me b/c when I sprint I get a nice long stride and it looks just fine. It's the slow going, side shuffling and back peddaling at slower paces where I need to adjust.

As much as I think it's more important to get the calls right and be in the right place, I have felt in some situations that the way I "looked" while running was more important to some people because they thought I looked "slow" even though I know I was up with play... it's an interesting discussion for sure. Thanks for the post.

[NHRef]

If the biggest thing to work on is how you look when running, that is a VERY GOOD sign!

AspireNtlRef is right, getting the calls right, positioning etc are all more important.

However perception is a factor and if players/coaches/spectators see you run and think "what a goof" you are starting behind the 8 ball abit

Not to say you look like a goof ;)

[campton]

If the biggest thing to work on is how you look when running, that is a VERY GOOD sign!

AspireNtlRef is right, getting the calls right, positioning etc are all more important.

However perception is a factor and if players/coaches/spectators see you run and think "what a goof" you are starting behind the 8 ball abit

Not to say you look like a goof ;)

Okay heres the thing. I remember being told by an Illinois assesor/instructor soemthing like this:

Grade 8: Passing a test
Grade 7: Knowing how to call a game
Grade 6: being able to manage a game
Grade 5:Looking good while doing the above
Grades 4-1: the above and just being awesome.

Looking awkward while running could take away from "looking good"

[Tarheel Ref]

If the biggest thing to work on is how you look when running, that is a VERY GOOD sign!

AspireNtlRef is right, getting the calls right, positioning etc are all more important.

However perception is a factor and if players/coaches/spectators see you run and think "what a goof" you are starting behind the 8 ball abit

Not to say you look like a goof ;)

I think what USSFRef is referring to when he writes of wanting to "look good" when running and its importance refers to a referee's confidence on the field. I've got a similar issue with my uniform (and that of those with whom I work) where I feel like I need to "look good" by dressing in a professional manner with the proper equipment. My LS yellow OSI shirt has a problem where the cuffs have become baggy and loose...until I can afford ANOTHER new one, I prefer not to wear it and it is my fourth choice when I'm working a center. My perception of myself is that if I look sharp, that will bleed over into other aspects of my work...the flip side of that is that if I know I don't look good, others (players and spectators) will have less confidence in the decisions I make and will be quicker to dissent.

I realize that this reeks of hubris but...in the words of Billy Crystal on SNL: "It is better to look good than to feel good...."

[Spaceball]

Okay heres the thing. I remember being told by an Illinois assesor/instructor soemthing like this:

Grade 8: Passing a test
Grade 7: Knowing how to call a game
Grade 6: being able to manage a game
Grade 5:Looking good while doing the above
Grades 4-1: the above and just being awesome.


If only I get my wife and friends to always think I am awesome...if I show my badge and this post can I require them to refer to me as awesome at all times? :D

I do think this is a very basic list of what is required...a nice breakdown of the simplest expectations and things to think about when asking if you are ready to move up. However, the level of match must also be considered...can you look good on a U16 and a PDL match?

[DadOf6]

Now, I know that this is something I would like to fix. I've never really understood why having an ugly running style is as big a deal as I perceive it to be, at least that is the way some see it.

Some of these suggested solutions seem like hard work.

I have a better idea:

Fly out to Utah. I'll find a high school game and get us assigned as ARs on a varsity game. That will be our warmup. The ARs in HS varsity game work the JV game (two-man) that follows.

I'm sure that after running a center on the same pitch and at the same time as me will make you feel much better.

Easy!