Long jumping is a track and field event. In order to be a good long jumper you need speed, strength, and mental endurance. The object of long jumping is to run down a long runway and then jump into a sand pit when you reach a white board. If you cross the white board and hit the plastecine your score does not count. After jumping your distance is measured from the furthest back point in the sand where you landed. Who ever jumps the furthest wins.

 

Rules of Long Jump

There are three basic rules to long jump.

1. If you plant your foot over the white board it is known as a foul and your jump will not be measured.

2. Your jump will be measured from the farthest point back. For example if you jump 4m00cm but your hand lands 30cm back your jump will be measured at 3m70cm.

 

3. The person that jumps the furthest wins the competition!

Learning to Long Jump

 

Long jump is a very focused sport. You must be focused because there is a lot to think about. You must think about steps, speed (running), height, distance, and landing. The better you get used to these things the less you will have to think about. Practice and practice is the only thing that will help you learn how to jump further.

 

Stepping

As I said earlier, you are not allowed to step over the white board however, when you run sometimes your foot might go over the white board just because of the position you started at. Therefore, you must have the perfect steps before you jump.

Finding the right steps is quite easy. It just takes a few easy steps. Starting at the white board facing the runway and your back should be towards the pit. Be sure your foot is centered on the white board. Then, sprint down the runway like you normally would. Count how ever many steps you would like to take. Seven or nine steps with your dominant foot is usually a good number to start with. You would only count ever other step that way. Once you have ran your desired amount of steps stop and mark that spot. To be sure of where you are starting from run through a couple times. Just start from your spot and don't jump but run towards the pit. If your foot lands in the middle of the white board you have done it right but you should do it at least three times to be positive.

Speed (running)

Speed is very important to gaining distance when you jump. You need speed to pull you through the air so you will go further. To gain speed you have to run up on the balls of your feet and use your arms. You arms should go from your mouth to your pocket. When you are running practice saying mouth, pocket, mouth, pocket and you will get the correct form. Also, you must run all the way through till you jump. If you think your steps are messed up and you stutter you have just lost distance. So remember run hard.

 

Height

 

The longer you stay in the air the further you go. Therefore, it is important to gain lots of height so you will not fall as quickly to the ground. Although, gravity will still pull you down if you go high you will be held up longer. To stay up you must go off one foot and drive up the knee of the other leg. Some people find it helpful to put their feet straight out and reach for their toes with their hands.

Landing

Landing is a very important part of long jump. If you have the perfect jump but land wrong you have just ruined the whole jump. You should land steady and with your feet as close as they can be  together. If you jump with your legs straight out you and aim to hit the sand with the heels of your feet first you should land ok. Your jump is measured from the furthest back point so you do not want to put your hand back when you jump. Landing is not complicated if you get it right it is quite simple.

Interesting Facts About Long Jump

1. Mike Powell broke the men's world record in long jump on August 30,1991. The record was broken in Tokyo, Japan with a jump of 8m95cm.

2. Galina Chistyakova broke the women's world record in long jump on June 11, 1988 in Leningard, USSR with a jump of 7m52cm.

3. American Myer Prinstein finished runner up in the 1900 long jump in Paris, despite not even showing up for finals. Prinstein, a Syracuse University student, was instructed not to participate in the finals on Sunday, the Christian Sabbath. Qualifying jumps counted back then so he took second on the basis of those. As legend has it, he was so angry at eventual gold-medal winner, Alvin Kraenzlein, that he punched him in the face.(Not recommended)

4. World record but no gold medal: In 1924, America Robert LeGendre shattered the world record for long jump with a leap of 25 feet, 4 inches. However, the jump was part of the pentathlon competition and LeGendre could muster only a third place finish overall. The actual long jump competition was won with a jump of 24 feet, 5 inches.

5. The true definition of "LONG JUMP" is a jump for distance from a running start.

6. Another name for long jump is broad jump.

7. Long jump is one event in a decathlon. In addition, there is high jump, discus throwing, shot put, javelin throw, 100 meter dash, 400 meter dash, 1,500 meter dash, 110 meter hurdles, and pole vaulting. The decathlon became an Olympic event in 1912.