Jumping Activities
5
85
WEB COPY
©EVEQUE
WEB COPY
©EVEQUE
5.3.2.3 The Landing
The landing is executed as an outgrowth of the hitch (or hang) just before landing, with the arms
balancing the move then swinging back just before touchdown. The legs should be kept as high as
possible for as long as possible and the arms pushed backwards to increase the lift of the legs. The
arms sweep forwards as the heels contact and the knees 'give' so that the young athlete does not
fall back. The young athletes should be encouraged to keep the landing as ‘soft’ as possible by
ensuring they have plenty of ‘give’ in the knees. The aim is to land with both heels in line as the
measurement is taken from the point made by the young athlete that is closest to the board.
5.3.2.4 The Approach
After the young athletes have practised the take-off, flight and landing into the pit from a short four,
six and eight-stride approach, a full approach can now be considered. For young athletes this will
normally be in the range from ten strides to sixteen strides. Longer approaches will serve no purpose
as optimum speed can be reached in this distance. Each young athlete’s individual ability must be
taken into account when deciding the number of strides for the approach. Those with less sprinting
fitness should be encouraged to use a shorter approach. To ensure accuracy on a regular basis the
start of any approach must be from a stationary position.
A ten-stride to sixteen-stride approach is roughly divided into three sections:
• Acceleration
• Preparation
• Attack
An observer counts the steps of the young athlete who runs from the take-off board back along the
runway in a similar manner to that of the normal approach when jumping. The position of the foot
on the fourteenth stride is noted by the observer who places a personal marker in that place
alongside the runway. Fine adjustments to this marker position can then be made.
Acceleration
Preparation Attack
