Diagramming Ground Contact In The Triple Jump

This content requires a MileSplit Pro plan.
Join Now and select any plan for instant access!

MileSplit Pro
Join Now


There are three take-offs in the triple jump, with the first being from the board. The board take-off is a running take-off at a relatively low angle and it's fueled by momentum from the approach acceleration. The second and third take-offs are more of a bound from the floor.

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...