Proper Jumping and Landing Technique for All Athletes

Similarities and differences with the long jump

The final phase, the Jump, is mechanically similar to a long jump take-off, but with a critical difference: the available horizontal velocity is significantly lower after having performed two previous jumps.

This implies that the take-off angle must be slightly greater to maximize the flight time with the little speed remaining, but without exaggerating so as not to slow down.

The athlete uses the leg that has just landed from the Step to propel himself, bringing the free leg and arms vigorously upward.

The flying technique is usually a hang or sail style, as there is rarely enough time or height to execute a full Hitch Kick as in the pure long jump.

Managing the landing without speed

Due to the reduced speed, the flight parabola is shorter and the fall steeper.

The athlete should not try to maintain an upright posture all the way to the end as in the long jump, but often needs to adopt a slight forward lean of the trunk to facilitate the lifting of the legs towards the landing position.

The goal is to bring both knees toward the chest and extend the heels toward the sand.

However, since the entry trajectory is more vertical, the risk of falling sitting on the heel mark is greater.

The timing of the leg extension must be precise: if you extend too early, the heels will hit the sand and the hips will fall behind (losing distance); if you extend too late, you lose valuable centimeters.

Sand entry strategy

The optimal landing technique in triple jump often involves a lateral entry or a controlled collapse to the side to prevent the buttocks from touching the sand behind the feet.

The athlete should [attack] the sand with the heels and allow their knees to give way gently, projecting their weight forward or to the side.

The feet should be visualized as landing at the point where the flight curve meets the ground.