Take-off is with the foot furthest from the bar and combined with the use of both arms drives the
hips upwards. The knee of the free leg is driven up at take-off and is straightened to allow clearance
over the bar. The take-off leg follows quickly so that the legs 'scissor' over the bar. Landing on low
mats is with the free leg followed by the take-off leg for stability and balance. With proper high jump
landing mats the young athlete can 'fall' onto the mat. The posture should be kept as upright as
possible throughout the jump.
Start with a low bar and a four-stride approach with young athletes. Progress can then be made
to six-stride and eight-stride approaches and to gradual increases in the height of the bar by
approximately 5 centimetres at a time. It must be noted that an eight-stride approach is an optimal
maximum as most young athletes cannot cope with the speed of longer approaches, which in turn
will have a negative effect on their jumping ability.
Jumping Activities
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WEB COPY
©EVEQUE
WEB COPY
©EVEQUE
