Print this page

High Jump High jump is an event that combines power and speed.  Important safety information is found in the section on Sport Equipment. Athletes should wear spikes on grass or in wet conditions because the surface can become slippery.   There are two types of jumps: Fosbury Flop Scissor Kick The Fosbury Flop is the more popular technique in which the athlete does a backward rotation during flight. The Scissor Kick is a more basic jump in which the athlete lifts legs sequentially over the bar, remaining facing the same direction. Regardless of the jump style, all jumps must be made off of one foot only.   Please note that all of the guidance to follow will use a left-footed takeoff, with a right side approach.   Fosbury Flop Style High Jump The Fosbury style high jump components consist of the following steps/approaches, to be used as the athlete develops his/her style. Some athletes may use up to 13 strides. Establish takeoff foot Flop Style, straight three-step approach Flop Style, five-step curved approach Flop Style, seven-step curved approach Flop Style, nine-step curved approach   Establish Takeoff Foot Jump over a rope held by two people. Raise rope higher as height is cleared. As the rope gets higher, dominant leg will become obvious and identify takeoff foot.   Flop Style — Straight Three-step Approach Stand next to crossbar one arm's length away and quarter of bar's length from right standard. This is an approximate takeoff point to be used. Walk backward three steps at a 45-degree angle from bar. This is the spot for starting stance. Coach marks the spot of third step. Face pit with feet together. Take first step with left foot and run toward pit. As the third step is taken, swing bent right leg up toward left standard; swing both arms from below the hips to above shoulders in front of body. Jump into air, taking off on one foot. Arch back; drop shoulders; look at right shoulder and pull knees toward chest. Land in pit on back.   Flop Style, Five-step Curved Approach Locate the spot where the athlete will start the approach. Measure to the right of the right crossbar standard 3-5 meters. Mark this spot. Now measure 6-9 meters away from the pit. This is the athlete's approximate start location, facing the pit. This location might have to be adjusted for each athlete. Take Hips Tall position and begin five-stride approach with left foot. Approach pattern will look like an upside down "J." On fifth step with left foot, swing the bent right leg up toward left shoulder, and swing both arms from a low back position to high front position in front of body. Take off from left foot, using a strong leg extension of knee and ankle. Turn right shoulder away from bar, rotating counterclockwise. Land on back and roll off the pit.   Flop Style, Seven-step Curved Approach From five-step approach, take two more strides away from pit. Adjust as necessary. Take Hips Tall position and begin seven-stride approach with left foot. The first two steps will be straight, last five will be curved. On the seventh step, plant left foot and make jump. From this point, jump mechanics are same as five-step approach.   Correct forward lean into curve   Incorrect forward lean away from curve       Flop Style, Nine-step Curved Approach From seven-step approach, take two more strides away from pit. Adjust as necessary. Take Hips Tall position and begin nine-stride approach with left foot. Run straight toward pit; on fifth step, start the curve. Place two check marks: one for starting stance and one at second stride of left foot, where curve starts. On the ninth step, plant left foot, and make jump. From this point, jump mechanics are same as five- and seven-step approaches. Coaching Tips As athlete takes third step on left takeoff foot, right knee is forcefully driven toward left shoulder. When in air, athlete thinks of doing a sit-up and brings knees to chest. Place markers at the start point and where the curve starts.   Practicing without crossbar   Scissor Style High Jump The scissor style high jump components consist of the following steps/approaches, to be used as the athlete develops his/her style. Establishing Approach Scissor Style — Three-step Approach Scissor Style — Seven-step Approach   Establishing the Approach Stand next to the pit, with or without bar. Run back three steps from takeoff point at a 45-degree angle from pit. Run toward pit, starting with left foot and taking three steps; take off on left foot.   Scissor Style — Three-step Approach Place bar just higher than pit. Take same three-step approach as above. Take first step on left foot. Take second step on right foot and swing both arms back. Take third step on left foot and forcefully swing both arms above shoulders. Lift right leg (closest to bar) up and over bar. Left leg follows to complete scissor. Athlete lands in pit on buttocks.   Scissor Style — Seven-step Approach Stand parallel to and an arm's length away from the crossbar, and a quarter of the bar's length from the right standard. This is the takeoff point to develop consistency in the approach. Take seven steps away from this point on a 45-degree angle to the right of the pit. This is the location of the starting stance. Face the pit, take the first step with the left foot, run straight to the pit, and accelerate with every step. Plant left foot on seventh step at takeoff spot; jump into the air. Keep arms and legs up with head held straight. Land in pit on buttocks. Roll to the rear of pit and get off. Coaching Tips Emphasize driving knee of right leg; leg will be horizontal to ground. Have athlete keep head up and upper body upright. Mark start point.   Faults & Fixes Chart   Error Correction Drill/Test Reference Athletes fall forward into bar. Ensure last strides are far enough away so athlete can lean body backward prior to takeoff. Practice run-up; ensure that foot is planted properly and lean is backward. Athlete's seat knocks bar down. Hips need to be raised to clear bar. Head is back. Thrust needs to occur from takeoff leg. Jump over bar from standing with hips going up and over. Bounding. Athlete turns back before jumping over. Ensure run-up curve is not too tight and lean is slightly into the curve. Practice run-up; ensure takeoff foot is planted properly. Athlete slows down before takeoff. Increase confidence. Practice run-up and takeoff without bar, with elastic, then with the bar.   Coaches' Tips For High Jumpers — At-a-Glance Tips for Practice Make sure the athlete has a sound five-, seven- or nine-step approach. Make sure that the curve is five steps only and that the curve starts with takeoff foot. Make sure the athlete takes off with only one foot. Stress the importance of speed of approach, especially last three steps. Observe where the athlete plants the takeoff foot. The athlete needs to take off about one arm's length from crossbar. The left foot is pointing toward the left standard. Make sure arms are used in jump, knees are kept up while going over bar and head is looking at left standard. Continue to gradually increase bar height as athlete consistently clears a height. Demonstrate all approaches and flop and scissor style jumps. Use footprints or tape to mark approach. If athlete's approach does not feel right, have him/her run parallel to the crossbar. Make sure athlete accelerates on approach and leans toward inside of curve. Have a mini high jump competition at practice. Start without a crossbar, then use string, sewing elastic banding or yarn until confidence is developed. Emphasize accelerating with each step, no short choppy steps. Emphasize that hips go upward over bar.   Tips for Competition Use visual imagery. Athlete pictures himself/herself going over the crossbar in his/her mind. Practice planting takeoff foot in the correct spot. Be aware of the jumping order so that the athlete is ready when called. Know starting height of athletes. Remember, athletes are allowed one mark on the high jump apron. The rules allow the athlete 90 seconds from the time his/her name is called to initiate the jump. The plane of the crossbar cannot be broken, or it counts as a miss.

Prev Page                                                                 Next Page