High Jump: Managing the Approach
Brian Brillon
The Ohio State University
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Goals of High Jump
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Approach Consistency and Tempo
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Put an athlete in the correct position for a successful takeoff
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Maintain horizontal speed throughout the approach
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Allow centripetal forces to remain in the curve of the approach
Approach should be re-established yearly and checked throughout the season
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In all jumping events, 90% of the jump is the approach - meaning the flight
pattern is predetermined on the ground. Therefore we must put our efforts in
coaching the runway
The approach will change with increased strength and power gained throughout
the season as well as throughout the career of the athlete
Avoid making the athlete fit a number/distance; rather adjust the numbers/distances
based on the talent and development of the athlete
The Approach: High Jump 101
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Beginning of the Approach
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Jumping foot is the front foot at the start (even, 10 Stride Approach)
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Left foot takeoff start on the right side, right foot takeoff start on the left side
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Always have 5 steps on the curve
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8 step approach: 3 straight steps, 5 curved
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10 step approach: 5 straight steps, 5 curved steps
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12 step approach: 7 straight steps, 5 curved steps
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Approach Schematic (for even, left sided jumper)
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Establish the Approach
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The flight path and rotations experienced by the jumper in flight are established while
still on the ground in any jumping event
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Practice approach away from the apron
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Allow athletes to become comfortable with the approach before measuring
distances
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Train horizontal speed
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Developing the Approach
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Drive Phase – steps 1-4
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Teach the start
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Pushing mechanics
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Develop momentum; NOT speed
Transition into curve
Steps 6-8
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Steps curve but stay midline to the body
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Cues: ‘Lean from the ground’, ‘shoulder square’
Steps 9-10
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Penultimate knee
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Forward and downward movement
Takeoff foot pointed toward opposite back corner of mat
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Cues: ‘Big arms’, ‘complete extension’, ‘piston back with legs’
Steps 4-6
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Rollover Start
Cues: ‘Flat-Flat’
How to Measure the 10-step Approach
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Step 1: 10 steps on the straight with takeoff
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Mark takeoff (10th step) and have a partner mark the mid-mark (5th step) with
each rep
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4-5 reps/session
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Calculate the mean distance of each rep for both the takeoff and mid-mark
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Can serve as short approaches in other jumping events
Step 2: 10 steps with curve and takeoff
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Mark takeoff (10th step) with curve with each rep
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4-5 reps
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Compare with the 10 step straight takeoff marked in Step 1 to compare
velocities
More talented and experienced athletes will have a curve mark
close to the straight 10 step mark due to conservation of
velocity
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Less experienced athletes will have a larger distance between
these marks and a much deeper curve
Calculate the mean distance of the 10 step approach with curve
Transferring the Approach to the Apron
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Step 3: 10 steps with curve on apron
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On the apron, find a comfortable takeoff point in relation to the standards
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Should be just inside the standard
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Girls: 2.5-3 feet away from the bar
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Boys: 3-3.5 feet away from the bar
Mark this point
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Measure from the takeoff point established above to the bottom mark
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Measure from the bottom mark to the start and mid-marks
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Practice this approach
Transferring the Approach to the Meet
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Step 4: Starting at the inside of the standard, measure away from the standard parallel
to the bar to the bottom mark
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Using the point marked above, measure perpendicularly the distance from this point to
the starting point.
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Mark this point and record the distance
Record this distance
Measure and mark the positions at the meet in a similar fashion, using the two distances
recorded in the last two steps.
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To ensure that your measurements are ‘square’ to the pit, use the Pythagorean
theorem (a2 + b2 = c2) to ‘triangulate’ the starting point to ensure a right angle
where the measurements intersect
Cheat Sheet
10 Stride Straight
Full Distance_______ Mid Mark________
10 Stride w/ Curve
Full Distance______ Mid Mark_________
Takeoff Mark________
10 Stride Meet Approach
Inside Standard Out______
Mid Mark_______
Start Point________
C Mark_________