PaceSetter Book

Jumping Activities 5

WEB COPY ©EVEQUE 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. 5.3.2.3 The Landing

5.3.2.4 The Approach

WEB COPY ©EVEQUE 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. Acceleration Preparation Attack

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.

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