Jumping Activities
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WEB COPY
©EVEQUE
WEB COPY
©EVEQUE
The arms swing back just before landing adding body-leg distance and then swing forwards as part
of the 'soft' landing to assist in forward rotation. Landing in the Standing Long Jump should be on
two feet and kept ‘soft’ with plenty of ‘give’ in the knees. It does not need to be a dead stop, as the
young athlete can step forward after the jump but any step back or touching the mat behind the
feet with any part of the body counts as a ‘no jump’. Therefore, it may be advantageous for the
young athlete to rotate forwards on landing.
5.3.2 Long Jump
All jumping activities including the Long Jump can be broken down into several phases:
1) The Approach
2) The Take-Off
3) The Flight
4) The Landing
Ultimately only the speed of the approach and the lift at take-off can determine the distance jumped,
however, efficiency can be improved with the flight and landing techniques used. For the purposes of
coaching young athletes in the long jump technique, the take-off and flight are the first skills that are
practised, followed by the landing and finally the approach skill. Consistency can then be mastered.
5.3.2.1The Take-Off
The lift at take-off and the posture in flight are very important to the success of the jump and with
minor adjustments can significantly increase the distance jumped. The technique at take-off should
be as follows:
1. The free leg is swung through quickly with the knees flexed high and the following heel kept
up until the athlete has taken off.
2. The action of the arms at take-off is one of lifting and continuing of the running action to
ensure forward momentum.
3. The jumping leg should strike backwards and downwards to give lift. Full hip and leg extension
should be sought in the split-second it takes to execute take-off.
