5 Signs Your Child Needs Running Technique Coaching (Don't Ignore These)
Mick Breen
October 2, 2025
As a parent, you watch your child play sport every week. You see them training, competing, giving their best effort.
But have you ever stopped to watch how they run?
Most parents haven't. And that's not their fault—schools don't teach running technique. Sports clubs focus on sport-specific skills. And kids are just expected to "figure it out."
But here's the truth: Running technique makes or breaks athletic performance. And more importantly, poor technique leads to injuries that could have been prevented.
After years of coaching young athletes in Melbourne (and experiencing preventable injuries myself), I've identified 5 warning signs that your child needs proper running technique coaching.
If you recognize even one of these signs, it's time to take action.
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Sign #1: They Look "Awkward" When Running
You know it when you see it.
While other kids glide smoothly across the field, your child looks... different. Their movements seem uncoordinated. Their arms flail. Their legs don't quite work together.
You might think: "They're just not naturally athletic."
But that's rarely true.
Most "awkward" runners simply never learned proper technique. They're using inefficient movement patterns that make running harder than it needs to be.
What's Actually Happening:
- Arms crossing the midline of their body (wasting energy)
- Overstriding (braking with every step)
- Poor posture (hunched shoulders, forward head)
- Legs not working in sync with arms
Why It Matters:
Awkward running isn't just aesthetically unpleasant—it's mechanically inefficient. Your child is working 20-30% harder than kids with good technique. That means:
- They fatigue faster during games
- They can't keep up with teammates
- They avoid running-based activities
- Their confidence suffers
The Fix:
Running technique can be taught. Within 2-3 weeks of proper coaching, that "awkward" runner becomes coordinated, efficient, and confident.
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Sign #2: They're Getting Injured Repeatedly
This is the big one. The sign parents can't ignore.
Your child gets injured. You take them to physio. They recover. They go back to sport. Then... the same injury comes back. Or a different one develops.
Ankle sprains. Knee pain. Shin splints. Hip issues. Recurring strains.
You start wondering: "Is my child just injury-prone?"
No. They're technique-prone.
What's Actually Happening:
Recurring injuries are rarely bad luck. They're almost always caused by:
- Poor movement patterns creating excessive stress
- Weak stabilizing muscles that can't support proper mechanics
- Compensation patterns from previous injuries
- Landing mechanics that shock joints instead of absorbing impact
Why It Matters:
Every injury your child suffers increases the risk of future injuries. Scar tissue develops. Compensation patterns become ingrained. What starts as a minor ankle sprain at age 10 can lead to chronic problems by age 16.
And here's what really hurts: Every injury is time sitting on the sidelines while teammates improve.
The Fix:
Proper running technique addresses the ROOT CAUSE, not just symptoms. By teaching correct movement patterns, strengthening key muscles, and fixing compensation issues, you prevent injuries before they happen.
Your physio treats existing injuries. Running technique coaching prevents future ones.
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Sign #3: They're Slower Than They "Should Be"
Your child trains hard. They have decent fitness. But when it comes to actual speed on the field...
They're always half a step behind.
The ball goes loose, and faster kids get there first. The race down the wing is always lost. They work just as hard as teammates but never seem to match their speed.
You think: "They're just not fast."
Wrong. They're just not running efficiently.
What's Actually Happening:
Speed isn't just about fitness or genetics. It's about:
- Acceleration mechanics (first 3 steps off the mark)
- Stride efficiency (how much power converts to forward motion)
- Arm drive (contributing to momentum instead of wasting energy)
- Ground contact time (spending less time in contact with the ground)
Most young athletes never learn these mechanics. They rely on pure effort, which only gets you so far.
Why It Matters:
In sport, speed is the difference between good and great. Between starting and sitting on the bench. Between confidence and frustration.
Your child might be putting in 100% effort but only getting 70% results because their technique is inefficient.
The Fix:
Proper sprint mechanics can improve speed by 10-20% within weeks. Not through endless fitness training, but through teaching the SKILL of running fast.
That's what proper technique coaching does—it unlocks the speed that's already there but being wasted through inefficiency.
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Sign #4: They Complain About Aches and "Niggles"
This one's subtle. Your child doesn't have a dramatic injury. But they're always complaining about:
"My legs are sore."
"My shins hurt."
"My hips feel tight."
You give them rest days. Maybe some ice. The pain goes away temporarily... then comes back.
These aren't major injuries requiring medical attention. They're just constant, low-grade discomfort that never quite goes away.
These are warning signs. Your child's body is sending distress signals.
What's Actually Happening:
Chronic aches and niggles mean:
- Muscles are working harder than they should (compensation)
- Joints are absorbing impact instead of muscles
- Movement patterns are creating repetitive stress
- The body is one bad landing away from serious injury
Why It Matters:
Today's niggle is tomorrow's injury. Those tight hips? Compensation that could lead to a hamstring strain. Those sore shins? Early warning of stress fractures.
Your child's body is telling you something is wrong. *Listen before it becomes a serious problem.*
The Fix:
Proper technique reduces unnecessary stress on joints and muscles. When your child learns to run efficiently, those chronic aches disappear because their body is moving the way nature intended.
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Sign #5: They Avoid Running Activities
Watch your child during training. When the coach says "let's do some running drills," what happens?
Do they engage enthusiastically? Or do they hang back, looking uncomfortable?
Some kids avoid running because:
- They know they look awkward (embarrassed)
- They know they're slow (defeated)
- Running hurts (chronic pain)
- They're afraid of getting injured again (anxious)
When kids avoid running, they miss out on improving. And the gap between them and their peers widens.
What's Actually Happening:
Avoidance is a psychological response to repeated negative experiences. If running always feels hard, looks awkward, causes pain, or leads to injury... kids naturally start avoiding it.
This creates a vicious cycle:
- Avoid running → Don't practice → Technique stays poor → Running stays difficult → Continue avoiding
Why It Matters:
Running is fundamental to almost every sport. If your child is avoiding running activities, they're:
- Missing skill development opportunities
- Falling behind teammates
- Reinforcing poor movement patterns
- Losing confidence in their athletic ability
The Fix:
When kids learn proper technique and experience what efficient, pain-free running feels like, everything changes. They stop avoiding and start engaging. Confidence returns. And they start catching up to—and surpassing—peers who never learned proper technique.
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What To Do If You Recognized These Signs
If your child is showing even ONE of these warning signs, proper running technique coaching can help.
Here's what you need to look for in a coach:
Specializes in Youth Athletes (Ages 8-16)
Growing bodies need different approaches than adults. Look for coaches who understand developmental stages and age-appropriate training.
Focuses on Injury Prevention
The best coaches prioritize long-term health over short-term performance gains. They should talk about building resilient athletes, not just fast ones.
Empowers Parents
You shouldn't need to be a professional coach to help your child. Look for programs that include parent coaching guides so you can support practice at home.
Addresses Root Causes
Good coaches don't just treat symptoms—they fix underlying movement patterns that cause problems.
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The Natural Born Running Approach
At Natural Born Running, we specialize exclusively in youth sports performance for athletes aged 8-16 across Melbourne.
Our Play Series programs address all five warning signs:
*Play Easier (Ages 8-12)* focuses on building proper movement foundations and confidence—perfect for the "awkward" runner who needs to develop coordination.
*Play Faster (Ages 10-16)* teaches sprint mechanics and acceleration techniques—ideal for the athlete who works hard but stays slow.
*Play Stronger (Ages 12-16)* builds resilience and addresses chronic injury patterns—designed for the athlete stuck in the injury cycle.
Every program includes:
- Age-appropriate coaching
- Parent coaching guides
- Injury prevention focus
- Progressive skill development
- Private community support
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Don't Wait Until It's Too Late
Here's what I know from experience: Injuries that happen at 15 could have been prevented at 10.
Poor technique doesn't fix itself. It gets worse. Compensation patterns become ingrained. Injuries accumulate. And the gap between your child and properly-coached athletes widens.
But here's the good news: It's never too late to start.
Whether your child is 8 or 16, beginner or competitive, proper running technique coaching can:
- Improve their performance
- Prevent future injuries
- Build their confidence
- Give them skills they'll use for life
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Take Action Today
If you recognized your child in any of these five signs, don't wait.
Start with our free resources:
- Free balance and posture drills you can do today
- 31-day parent insights email series
- Stride Strong lower body resilience program
Or explore our Play Series programs designed specifically for young athletes like yours.
Because every child deserves to learn running as a skill—before injury, before frustration, before they start believing they're "just not athletic."
Ready to Get Started?
ONLINE PROGRAMS (Most Popular):
→ Individual Programs: $199-$399
→ Complete Bundle: $599 (Save $298)
MELBOURNE IN-PERSON:
→ 1-on-1 Coaching: From $150/session
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Explore Play Series Programs →
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*About the Author:*
Mick Breen is a youth sports performance specialist in Melbourne, focusing exclusively on athletes aged 8-16. After experiencing preventable sports injuries as a young athlete, he made it his mission to protect the next generation through proper movement education.
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Last updated: October 2025
Keywords: signs child needs running coach, youth running technique, kids running problems, prevent youth sports injuries, improve child's running, melbourne youth coach
