PaceSetter Book

Jumping Activities 5

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

WEB COPY ©EVEQUE 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.

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