Elitetrack: Sport Training & Conditioning

I am primarily a long sprinter and run the 400m hurdles. I'd say i have fairly good form over the hurdle as well. I just started trying to train for the shorter hurdle events and found i can't make the 8 step approach to the first hurdle. I keep getting 9 steps, however over the summer when doing starts i was able to do 8 steps. Are there any drills or is there any advice that will help get me to the first hurdle in 8 steps and allow me to lead with my left leg?

There could be a lot of things going on, but it sounds mostly like a strength issue.  You may not be pushing off of both blocks effectively, or forcefully enough.  Fixing that in itself will probably get you to the first hurdle in 8 steps.  Good, sound acceleration mechanics for the hurdles will help too.  The accel pattern for the HH is definitely different than for the flat dashes, but getting enough of an acceleration to the first hurdle will help.  It is more natural to want to stand up quickly with the hurdle race, but I always try and cue my HH to stay low for at least 3 or 4 steps, then transition up to upright for takeoff at H1. 

Bottom line, you HAVE to be able to accelerate very well in only a few steps to be effective at that first hurdle.