1. SHSAA Coaches Symposium August 19 th 2008 Kevin Cumming kevin.cumming@spiritsd.ca

2. The Approach The most effective approach for a high-jumper is called the “J curve” The length of the approach varies from athlete to athlete, depending on age, strength and experience Most approaches will be between 5 and 10 strides The way that an athlete starts the approach is a big influence on the accuracy of the approach Obviously a stationary start is recommended for this reason

3. The Approach (2) Speed at the bar is good but it must be controllable speed when the athlete takes off The rules state that you can put down two pieces of tape, most experienced athletes will use both of these, one at a starting point and the other as either the point in which to start their corner or a mark in which to aim for that keeps them from running straight at the bar The curve should be initiated by the outside foot The athlete should be upright by the time the curve is started

4. The Approach (3) The athlete should start to lean away from the bar as they travel further into their corner The approach can be a bit “bouncy” and run with the knees up (to do this, arms also need to be focussed on) Some athletes will need to be reminded that they have to be aggressive on their curves Good parabolic flight over the bar is a result of the approach and the take off

5. The Approach (4) To help athletes run a consistent approach, a coach could place pylons to the inside or outside of the approach, depending on the athlete’s problem Athletes should also have cues to look at when running their approach, something straight ahead for the straight portion of the approach and then preferably the top of the opposite standard when starting to corner They will need to practice focussing on these cue, even walking through the approach will help in this regard

8. The Take Off The last stride of the approach is shorter than the others The foot for take off should be at 45° to the pit If the foot is parallel to the bar, the athlete will travel too much down the bar, thus having a greater chance to hit it Since every bar sags, the athlete should be clearing the bar in the middle, this means the take off needs to be closer to the standard than to the middle of the bar If an athlete is leaning away from the bar, like they should, they may feel like they are too far from the bar, they need to get used to this feeling

9. The Take Off (2) The athlete should also be driving at least one arm when taking off Many athletes can develop bad habits if they “lead” with their arm, the arm must first be driven up, then over the bar The take off should be made with a flat foot and in most cases with good high jumpers, the last 2 strides are made with a flat foot There needs to be full extension of the take off leg before the athlete begins to lay out over the bar

10. The Take Off (3) To start the lay out, the knee drive should be up and slightly across the body, this will allow the athlete to turn in the air (the thigh should be parallel to bar, the shoulders should be perpendicular) Avoid turning on the ground at all costs!! At take off, the athlete should still be looking at the top of the standard and driving their knee towards that spot The athlete should avoid turning their back to the bar while still in contact with the ground

12. The Lay Out The approach and take off determine how well an athlete will be able to lay out The body will follow the head of the athlete so if an athlete leads with their head, they are more likely to take down the bar If the head is tipped back, it is easier to lay out Many athletes may not trust this however Once the hips and clear the bar, the head should be tucked in and the feet will clear the bar

13. The Lay Out (2) If done properly, there should never be a reason for the athlete to “kick” aggressively over the bar The athlete should be landing on their back or shoulders when entering the pit Another way to get an athlete to lay out better is to try and get them to look over their shoulder when over the bar (for right footed jumpers, look over left shoulder and vice versa)

16. Drills and exercises Approaches, approaches and then more approaches This needs to be consistent for an athlete to get consistent results Pop ups over a low bar This will lead to “scissoring” Every practice should start off with scissoring Back-overs Standing with back to the bar off of two feet, jumping backwards to work or the lay out This can also be done from on a box so the athlete can get the feeling of falling

17. Drills and exercises (2) Turn and look over your shoulder From standing, or from 3 stride approach Hurdle jumps Place multiple hurdles approximately 5 – 8 feet apart Jump continuously over the hurdles, no pause between jumps and concentrate on flat foot contact Start with the hurdles low and close and eventually move them up and further apart Box jumps Different heights, different patterns

18. Resources and Websites The Canadian Athletics Coaching Center Articles, interviews, videos etc … http://www.athleticscoaching.ca/ You Tube Javier Sotomayor, Mark Boswell, Stefan Holm

19. Resources and Websites (2) Articles by coaches Irving “Boo” Shexnayder Dan Pfaff Saskatchewan Athletics Books, videos etc … for members http://www.saskathletics.ca/