PaceSetter Book

Jumping Activities 5

5.1 Introduction to Jumping

Once again, a key aspect of coaching ‘jumps’ sessions is the safety procedures that must be put into place. Before and during each jumps session the coach should: • Check all equipment and landing areas are safe for use. • Check sandpits for debris. • Be careful not to overwork young athletes in a session. • Be aware of other groups and their actions. • Be watchful of throwing areas. • Not leave equipment, such as upturned rakes, unattended. Jumping activities can be very stressful on the young athlete’s body and therefore the number of practice trials should be limited and only take place for short periods of time. All jumps have the same sequence of Approach, Take-Off, Flight and Landing and each element will contribute to the overall height or distance attained by the young athlete. WEB COPY ©EVEQUE 5.1.1 The Skill of Jumping Before the young athlete is introduced to specific recognised jumping actions, he or she should first be taught the skill of different types of jumps. Young athletes should learn the difference between a variety of jumping movements. The easiest way to teach this is to ask the group to perform single movement jumps as follows: WEB COPY ©EVEQUE a) Hop from one foot to the same foot Hop forward on the left foot Hop forward on the right foot b) Jump from one foot to the other foot Step forward from left foot to right foot Step forward from right foot to left foot c) Jump from one foot to two feet All the recognised jumping activities can fall into two different categories: 1) Vertical Jumps 2) Horizontal Jumps

Jump from left foot to both feet Jump from right foot to both feet

d) Jump from two feet to one foot

Jump from both feet to left foot Jump from both feet to right foot

e) Jump from two feet to two feet

73