How To: High Jump

High jump is a very technical event. Like long jump, it requires a lot of practice to gain the consistency that is needed in the approach to the bar as well as in the jump itself.

The above diagram shows the approach steps of high jump.

1. Start about 7-9 steps away from the bar. As the diagram shows, you will run in a U shape towards the bar, so you want to start off to the side of the bar.
2. Run in the "U" shape of the above diagram towards the bar.
3. On your second to last step, you want to bend your knees to prepare for your jump.
4. On the last step you want to plant with the foot farthest from the bar.
5. When you jump, you want to pivot your body so that you are facing away from the bar. At the same time, drive your knee and your arm closest to the bar up fast and hard.
6. Once you are in the air, you need to arch your back as much as possible in order to clear the bar.
7. When you feel that your back has cleared the bar, you need to snap your legs up and over the bar very quickly.
8. Then, you free fall onto the mat behind the bar.