Jumping Activities
5
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WEB COPY
©EVEQUE
WEB COPY
©EVEQUE
5.3.5 Running Triple Jump (six metres limited approach)
This is intended as an intermediate stage for young athletes over the age of 11 years progressing
from the Standing Triple Jump to the formal triple jump. The six metres limited approach should be
strictly applied and is necessary to prevent the young athletes building up excessive speed when
approaching the take-off board.
Take-off lines can be chalked on the approach at distances of five metres, six metres and seven
metres from the beginning of the sand pit and cones placed at 11, 12 and 13 metres to denote the
respective six metres limited approaches.
A young athlete aged 11–13 years will normally take approximately four or five strides in the six
metres approach and therefore, in a similar method to that used in the Long Jump, a run-up should
be marked out.
The young athlete must try to establish a technique whereby the landings and take-offs are flat-
footed to provide stability and avoid ankle injuries. A sound rhythm will aid the distance jumped and
the following ratio should be sought:
To the young athlete the hop 'feels' flat and fast, although the distance covered is more. With each
landing and take-off some horizontal or forward momentum is lost and so the step and jump phases
'feel' longer and higher. If the hop 'feels' long and high they are likely either to be jumping high and
landing with a straight leg or the approach is too fast for them to handle at that time. It is very
important to limit the number of practices by a young athlete, as the Triple Jump is an activity that
has a very high impact on the joints of a growing body.
1 = Starting Position for 5m Take-off Board
2 = Starting Position for 6m Take-off Board
2 = Starting Position for 7m Take-off Board
3 2 1
7m 6m 5m
Hop - 37%
Step - 30%
Jump - 33%
