Long Jump Skills, Techniques and Officiating for JSS 1

Long Jump Skills, Techniques and Officiating for JSS 1

Performance Objectives

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

1. perform basic skills and techniques in long jump correctly;
2. officiate in long jump.

What is Long Jump?

Long jump is an athletics event where a person combines speed, strength and agility to leap as far as possible from a take-off board into a sand pit.

The main goal of the long jump is to cover the greatest horizontal distance. It is a popular event in many sports competitions, including school sports and the Olympic Games.

Basic Skills and Techniques in Long Jump

Performing a successful long jump requires mastering several basic skills and techniques. These techniques work together to help a jumper achieve maximum distance.

Approach Run

The approach run is the sprint towards the take-off board. It is important for building up speed, which helps create momentum for the jump.

During the approach run, the jumper runs at a controlled, increasing speed. The steps should be consistent and rhythmic, preparing the body for the take-off.

Take-off

The take-off is the moment the jumper leaves the ground from the take-off board. This is a powerful action where the jumper pushes off with one foot.

The take-off foot should land precisely on the take-off board without crossing it. The jumper drives the free leg and arms upwards to gain height and forward momentum.

Flight

Flight is the phase when the jumper is in the air, moving through the air after take-off and before landing.

During flight, the jumper maintains balance and prepares the body for landing. The body position in the air helps to maintain balance and extend the flight slightly.

Landing

Landing is the final phase where the jumper makes contact with the sand pit. A good landing technique helps to maximise the measured distance and prevent injury.

The jumper should land with both feet together, pushing the hips forward and bending the knees. The arms can be thrown forward to help maintain balance and prevent falling backward into the pit.

Recovery

Recovery refers to the actions taken immediately after landing to ensure the measured distance is maximised and the jumper is safe.

After landing, the jumper should walk or step forward out of the sand pit. The measurement is taken from the take-off board to the nearest break in the sand made by any part of the jumper’s body.

How to Perform Basic Long Jump Techniques

Performing a long jump requires practice and coordination. It is important to follow the correct steps to achieve a good jump and stay safe.

The procedure involves the following steps:

1. Prepare for the Approach Run: Stand a measured distance from the take-off board. This distance should allow for a comfortable sprint to build speed.
2. Start the Approach Run: Begin to sprint towards the take-off board. Increase speed gradually, maintaining a steady rhythm.
3. Execute the Take-off: As the take-off board is approached, ensure the last few steps are quick and powerful. Plant one foot (the take-off foot) firmly on the take-off board without stepping over it. Drive the other leg and both arms upwards and forwards.
4. Maintain Flight: While in the air, keep the body balanced. Bring the knees towards the chest and prepare for landing.
5. Perform the Landing: As the body descends, extend both legs forward. Land with both feet together in the sand pit, bending the knees to absorb the impact. Push the hips forward to prevent falling backward.
6. Complete Recovery: After landing, step or walk forward out of the sand pit. Do not step backward, as this will reduce the measured distance.

Safety Tip: The sand pit should always be properly dug and soft before jumping to prevent injuries during landing. Appropriate sportswear and athletic shoes should be worn.

Officiating in Long Jump

Officiating in long jump involves ensuring that the competition is fair and follows the rules. Officials are responsible for measuring jumps, checking for fouls, and recording results.

The main roles of officials in a long jump event include:

1. Chief Judge: Oversees the entire event and makes final decisions.
2. Take-off Judge: Watches the take-off board to check for foul jumps.
3. Landing Judge/Measurer: Determines the landing spot and measures the distance of the jump.
4. Recorder: Records the results of each jump.

Key rules for officiating in long jump include:

1. Foul Line: A jump is a foul if the jumper steps on or over the take-off board before taking off. The take-off judge uses a flag to signal a foul.
2. Measurement: The measurement is taken from the edge of the take-off board closest to the sand pit to the nearest mark made by any part of the jumper’s body in the sand.
3. Valid Jump: For a jump to be valid, the jumper must take off correctly and land within the designated sand pit. After landing, the jumper must exit the pit by walking forward.
4. Flags: Officials use flags to signal valid jumps (white flag) or foul jumps (red flag).

Demonstrating Officiating Skills in Long Jump

To officiate effectively in a long jump event, officials must be attentive and know the rules. Practising these skills helps ensure fair play.

The procedure for officiating a long jump involves the following steps:

1. Positioning: The take-off judge stands near the take-off board to clearly see if a jumper fouls. The landing judge stands beside the sand pit, ready to mark and measure the landing.
2. Observing the Take-off: The take-off judge watches carefully as the jumper approaches and takes off. If the jumper steps on or over the foul line, the judge immediately raises a red flag. If the take-off is legal, a white flag is raised.
3. Marking the Landing: The landing judge observes where the jumper lands. After the jumper exits the pit, the judge identifies the nearest mark made by any part of the jumper’s body to the take-off board.
4. Measuring the Jump: Using a measuring tape, the landing judge measures the distance from the edge of the take-off board (closest to the pit) to the marked landing spot. The measurement is read and called out.
5. Recording Results: The recorder writes down the measured distance for each valid jump. For foul jumps, “Foul” is recorded.
6. Communicating Decisions: Officials use clear signals (flags) and verbal communication to inform jumpers and other officials about the status and results of each jump.