High Jump Skills, Rules and Safety for Primary 4

High Jump

Performance Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. perform the basic Skills in high jump correctly

What is High Jump?

High jump is an athletic event where a person runs up and jumps over a horizontal bar placed at a certain height without knocking it down. The goal is to clear the bar at the highest possible height.

It is a sport that requires strength, speed and good body control. High jump is usually performed on a special pitch with soft landing mats to ensure safety.

Basic Skills in High Jump

Performing a high jump correctly involves several important skills that work together. These skills are the run up, take off, flight, landing, and recovery.

The Run Up

The run up is the approach a jumper takes before jumping. It helps the jumper build speed and prepare for the take off. A good run up is smooth and controlled, allowing the jumper to gain enough momentum.

The run up usually involves running in a curved path towards the bar, which helps in turning the body correctly for the jump.

The Take Off

The take off is the moment the jumper leaves the ground. It is a powerful push from one foot that propels the body upwards and over the bar. The take off foot is usually the stronger leg.

During the take off, the jumper swings the arms and the free leg upwards to help lift the body higher.

The Flight

The flight is the part of the jump when the body is in the air, moving over the crossbar. During flight, the jumper must control the body to avoid touching the bar.

Different techniques can be used during flight, but for Primary 4, the focus is on getting the body over the bar smoothly.

The Landing

The landing is how the jumper returns to the ground after clearing the bar. A safe landing is very important to prevent injuries.

In high jump, jumpers land on their back or shoulders onto a thick, soft landing foam or mattress. This soft surface absorbs the impact and protects the body.

The Recovery

The recovery is what the jumper does immediately after landing. It involves getting up safely from the landing mat and moving away from the jumping area.

After landing, the jumper should roll gently and then stand up carefully, making sure not to fall or stumble.

How to Perform the High Jump Correctly

Performing the high jump correctly involves putting all the basic skills together in a smooth sequence. It is important to practise each part to improve the overall jump.

The required materials for practising high jump are:

1. High jump pitch
2. Poles and a crossbar (set at a low height for practice)
3. Landing foam or mattress
4. Sports wear

The procedure for performing a basic high jump involves the following steps:

1. Preparation: Put on comfortable sportswear. Make sure the high jump area is clear and the landing foam is properly placed and thick enough to ensure a safe landing.
2. Starting Position: Stand a few steps away from the crossbar, ready to begin the run up. Choose a starting point that allows for a smooth, curved approach to the bar.
3. The Run Up: Begin to run towards the crossbar. Start slowly and gradually increase your speed. Run in a gentle curve, aiming to approach the bar from the side.
4. The Take Off: As you get close to the bar, plant your take-off foot firmly on the ground. Push off strongly with this foot, swinging your arms and the other leg upwards to gain height.
5. The Flight: Once in the air, arch your back slightly and try to lift your hips over the bar. Keep your body relaxed and avoid hitting the bar with your arms or legs.
6. The Landing: After clearing the bar, land on your back or shoulders on the soft landing foam. Spread your body out to distribute the impact.
7. The Recovery: Once you have landed, roll gently to one side and then slowly stand up. Move away from the landing area to allow others to jump or to prepare for your next attempt.

Always ensure an adult or teacher is supervising when practising high jump to ensure safety and provide guidance.