Willie Banks looks back on open career and sees missed 60-footer

Willie's TJ article is cover story of November issue.

Willie’s TJ article is cover story of November issue.

Lemme tell you. If I had run a couple more years of college — instead of being cut after my sophomore year — I would have run sub-54 in the 440 hurdles. But I’m not alone in woulda-coulda-shoulda. Some months back, I helped my masters friend Willie Banks prepare an article for Techniques magazine. (It’s the journal of the U.S. Track & Field and XC Coaches Association.) The article came out last week. In it, Willie says he could have been the first 60-foot triple jumper had he done a better hop-step phase. (Jon Edwards went 60 a decade after Willie’s WR of 58-11 1/2.) I gotta salute Willie for his honesty. He admits being lazy on technique. (He also says the WR could be 62-4 today if elites took his advice.) So what’s your story?

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November 16, 2015

4 Responses

  1. Jeff Davison - November 16, 2015

    Willie is talented at several events and as we remember … he was a record holder in high school and college as well.

  2. Dan Miller - November 17, 2015

    Seems like it’s always the step phase that’s hardest to improve upon.

  3. Mike Walker - November 17, 2015

    Willie was also a good long jumper and cleared 6′ 10″ with a three step approach! A great jumper who well understands his event, His article is excellent and should be read by all coaches. In my area, the triple jump is not emphasized because most coaches do not understand the event. A shame because it is a fun event and more should try it.

  4. wayne bennett - November 17, 2015

    Form and technique are so important to a masters athlete. Many of us missed this in our high school and college days. I urge everyone to get some coaching for your event and train your brain to do what is correct. This applies to everything from sprinting to throws to vaulting and jumping. It might surprise you what a little correction in form can do for you.

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