BIOMECHANICAL PRINCIPLES OF VERTICAL FORCE
In utilizing proper sprint mechanics on the approach, the foot should contact the runway beneath the center of gravity (the pelvis region) on the ball of the foot first, and the foreleg generally perpendicular to the ground. There is a vertical component in sprinting -- a slight vertical bounce -- but this vertical displacement is much less than needed to clear the ground on triple jump phases.
In order for the jumper to have time to get the vertical displacement necessary in jump phases, the foot must be planted further out.
PATTERNS AMONG WORLD CLASS TRIPLE JUMPERS
Observation of ground contact photo sequences among the world's best triple jumpers reveals a re-occurring patt...