High Jump Technique Explained

The High Jump comprises of three main elements: the approach; the takeoff and the bar rotation.

The High Jump - The Approach:

• 3 important factors of the approach are acceleration, maximum velocity, and curve running. 
• There are 3 different approaches that the athletes use today. The J approach, flared approach, and hook approach.
• All 3 approaches have the same curve into the jump. The only difference between them is the initial starting position. The J approach involves the athlete running in a straight line before curving their run into the jump. An athlete using the flared approach will start from a position wider than that of the J approach, and the opposite occurs with the hook approach. The starting point is inside that of the J approach.

• Athletes run on a curve to lean away from the bar by creating pressure against the ground.
• Most athletes use between 6 and 12 steps on the approach , usually an even number so the first step is taken with the non-jumping foot.
• The radius of the curved run is specific to individual athletes, and this can only be found through trial and error. However the average for women is around 31-32 feet (9.5-10 metres), and for men it is 27-28 feet (8.3-8.6 metres), so these are good starting points for your long jump.
• The athlete must approach the bar from the correct angle in the last 2 steps. Again this is somewhat athlete specific but 50 degrees for the penultimate step and 40 degrees for the final step are good guidelines.
• The last 2 steps of the approach are the most important. The penultimate step must land flat, and on the imaginary curve line, with the hips and torso moving over this foot as quickly as possible.
• The last step should also be flat footed and purposely planted in a dorsiflex position.

The High Jump - The Takeoff:

• A conversion of vertical velocity must be made from the horizontal velocity of the approach if a long jump is going to be successful.
• A short takeoff time is also important otherwise the athlete will more than likely land on top of the bar.
• The takeoff action is also known as a push-through-and-pull action.
• The push-through is the hip moving over the penultimate foot.
• The pull is the hip of the free leg coming through because of the active negative motion of the takeoff leg.
• On takeoff the foot should be pointing roughly towards the far corner of the landing area.
• All athletes are different when it comes to the position of the takeoff foot, but generally this foot should be planted around 2-3 feet down the bar from the post or standard.
• Distances in front of the bar also vary greatly from athlete to athlete. However the average for women is around 26 inches or 65cm. For men it is further, around 48 inches or 123cm. Use trial and error to work out the best position.

The High Jump - Bar Rotation:

• The Fosbury Flop is the most common way to clear the bar.
• This ends with the athlete landing on their upper back.
• To get to this position the athlete must rotate around there vertical axis so their back is facing the bar as they clear it.
• To clear the bar an athlete will need to arch and then un-arch the body.
• The arching occurs to lift the hips above the bar, and the un-arching drops the hips, which lifts the legs in a natural reaction. The un-arching should occur as the upper legs go over the bar.

High Jump Drills:

• Scissor Technique
• Fosbury Flop Drill

Athletic Drills:

• The Long Jump
• The Shot Putt
• Sprints