Success in the long jump is the product of technique, precision and, most importantly, speed. That’s why most long jumpers are also good sprinters.
The approach
The jumper carefully plots out the steps of his approach in advance. There are three phases, each marking an increase in velocity. A jumper might use a 3-4-3 pattern, each number representing the number of strides the left leg takes in each phase.
THE DRIVE
Jumper begins by building speed.
Final speed: 28.5 feet/sec.
CONTINUED ACCELERATION
Jumper begins sprinting, adding more speed.
Final speed: 34.1 feet/sec.
THE ATTACK
Jumper accelerates toward peak speed, with no change in stride length.
Final speed: 36.1 feet/sec.
– The jumper may begin his approach from as far back as he wants.
Note: Final speeds represent a typical Olympic jumper’s velocity at the end of each phase.
130 feet (minimum)
Landing area made of sand
The takeoff
Most right-handed jumpers use their left leg and most lefthanded jumpers use their right leg. The heel of the takeoff foot hits first, allowing the jumper to drive off the board, typically at about a 20-degree angle.
Plasticine
Takeoff line: Peak speed reached
– The takeoff board is a piece of wood sunk level to the runway. It includes the takeoff line and a tray of plasticine or other soft substance to help show if a jumper faults.
In the air
Olympic jumpers typically use a hitch kick, in which the legs move as though running in air and the arms swing in a windmill motion. This allows the jumper not to have to break his motion as he transitions from sprint to leap.
The jumper’s center of gravity should stay behind his feet until the landing.
The landing
The jumper tries to land with his feet together and as far forward as possible without causing him to lose balance and fall backward.
Just after the jumper touches down, his arms rock backward, past his hips and behind him to maintain forward momentum.
The heels should touch down first.
Rules
– Athletes jump three times, with the top eight finishers taking another three jumps to determine the winner. A tie is decided by the jumpers’ second-best jumps.
– The jumper may not perform a somersault during the jump or walk back through the landing area after a jump.
Long jump winning distance
Scale in feet
22-30 feet; 1896-1996
1896: 20 feet 10 inches
1968: 29 feet 2 1/2 inches by Bob Beamon, U.S.
2000: 28 feet 3/4 inches
Athletes to watch
Dwight Phillips
United States
Currently the top-ranked jumper in the world.
James Beckford
Jamaica
Won his nation’s first long jump medal, taking the silver in 1996.
Ivan Pedroso
Cuba
Defending gold-medal winner from 2000 Games in Sydney.
2000 results
Men’s long jump
G: Ivan Pedroso, Cuba
S: Jai Taurima, Australia
B: Roman Schurenko, Ukraine
All-time medal standings
Competition began in 1896
U.S.A.: 43
Germany*: 6
Australia: 3
Sweden: 3
USSR: 3
*Including East and West Germany
Sources: Randy Huntington, former sports science coordinator for USA Track & Field; “Rules of the Game”; “Track: The Field Events” by Jim Santos and Ken Shannon; International Olympic Committee; International Association of Athletics Federations; “The Complete Book of the Olympics” by David Wallechinsky
See microfilm for complete graphic.
