Common Coaching Mistakes in School Racewalking (And How to Avoid Them)

Racewalking is a highly technical athletic event governed by strict rules on contact and knee straightness. In school-level competitions, many talented athletes are disqualified or fail to improve—not because of lack of effort, but due to common coaching mistakes. Understanding these errors is crucial for developing competitive, confident, and rule-compliant student racewalkers.

This article highlights the most frequent coaching mistakes in school racewalking and offers practical solutions to avoid them.

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Lack of Understanding of Racewalking Rules

One of the most serious coaching mistakes is insufficient knowledge of official racewalking rules.

Common issues include:

• Not emphasizing continuous ground contact

• Ignoring knee straightness from first contact until vertical position

• Misinterpreting judging procedures and penalties

When coaches fail to teach rules early, athletes develop illegal techniques that lead to warnings and disqualifications during competition.

How to avoid it:
Coaches should study World Athletics and school-level rules and regularly demonstrate legal technique during training.

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Teaching Speed Before Technique

Many coaches push young racewalkers to move fast before mastering proper form.

Problems caused:

• Loss of ground contact

• Bent knees

• Poor posture

• Increased risk of disqualification

Speed without technique is ineffective in racewalking.

How to avoid it:
Focus on technique drills at slow to moderate pace before introducing speed work.

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Copying Running Techniques

Racewalking is often mistaken as “fast walking,” leading some coaches to apply running mechanics.

Mistakes include:

• Excessive knee lift

• Forward lean

• Toe running

• Arm swing similar to sprinting

These habits violate racewalking rules.

How to avoid it:
Teach upright posture, heel-first contact, straight knee action, and controlled arm movement.

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Ignoring Video Analysis and Feedback

Some coaches rely only on observation, missing subtle technical errors.

Consequences:

• Illegal habits go unnoticed

• Athletes repeat the same mistakes

• Limited technical improvement

How to avoid it:
Use video recording to analyze form from side and front angles. Visual feedback greatly improves learning.

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Overtraining Young Athletes

Overtraining is common in school racewalking, especially before competitions.

Signs of overtraining:

• Persistent fatigue

• Declining performance

• Loss of motivation

• Frequent injuries

Young athletes need recovery as much as training.

How to avoid it:
Follow age-appropriate training volumes and include rest days and lighter sessions.

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Neglecting Flexibility and Mobility

Racewalking requires significant hip mobility and flexibility.

Mistakes include:

• Skipping warm-ups

• No stretching routines

• Ignoring mobility work

This leads to stiff gait, poor stride length, and injury risk.

How to avoid it:
Include dynamic warm-ups, hip mobility drills, and post-training stretching in every session.

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Poor Athlete Communication

Some coaches focus only on correction without explanation.

Results:

• Athlete confusion

• Reduced confidence

• Fear of making mistakes

Effective coaching requires clear communication.

How to avoid it:
Explain why corrections matter and encourage questions. Positive feedback builds trust and confidence.

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Focusing Only on Winning

Overemphasis on medals and rankings can harm athlete development.

Negative effects:

• Pressure and anxiety

• Short-term decisions

• Burnout

• Loss of enjoyment

School sports should prioritize learning and growth.

How to avoid it:
Focus on skill development, fair play, and personal improvement alongside competition results.

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Ignoring Mental Preparation

Racewalking competitions are mentally demanding, especially due to judging.

Mistakes include:

• No preparation for pressure

• Ignoring competition anxiety

• Lack of confidence-building activities

How to avoid it:
Teach focus, discipline, and calmness. Simulate competition settings during training.

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Lack of Collaboration with Parents and Schools

Successful school racewalking programs require teamwork.

Common mistakes:

• No communication with parents

• Ignoring academic schedules

• Poor coordination with school administration

How to avoid it:
Work closely with parents and schools to balance academics, training, and recovery.

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Conclusion

Avoiding common coaching mistakes in school racewalking can significantly improve athlete performance, confidence, and longevity in the sport. Proper rule knowledge, technical focus, balanced training, and strong communication are the foundations of effective racewalking coaching.

By correcting these mistakes early, coaches can develop disciplined, rule-compliant, and competitive student racewalkers ready for higher levels of competition.