High jump

Nicole Forrester

Yelena Slesarenko failing 2007

1912 Konstantinos Tsiklitiras2

EthelCatherwood1928

1912 Platt Adams5

High jump is a track and field event in which competitors must jump unaided over a horizontal bar placed at measured heights without dislodging it. In its modern most practiced format, a bar is placed between two standards with a crash mat for landing. The event has its origins in the Olympic Games, and it has been a standard Olympics event for men since 1896 and for women since 1928.

History

The high jump has a contested history with evidence of high jumping in ancient Greece, Egypt, and Celtic lands. The modern high jump evolved in the 19th century in Scotland, with the Fosbury Flop technique revolutionizing the event in the late 1960s. Before the Fosbury Flop, techniques such as the scissors jump, Eastern cut-off, Western roll, and straddle technique were popular among high jumpers.

Techniques

Scissors Jump

The scissors jump technique involves the jumper running up to the bar and lifting the legs in a scissor-like motion over the bar.

Eastern Cut-off

In the Eastern cut-off, the jumper turns his or her back to the bar, kicks the legs sideways over the bar, and lands on the feet.

Western Roll

The Western roll technique has the jumper facing the bar, jumping off the nearest foot, twisting the body in mid-air, and rolling over the bar face down.

Straddle Technique

The straddle technique, popular before the Fosbury Flop, involves the jumper taking off as in the Western roll but straddling the bar in mid-air and attempting to clear it face-up.

Fosbury Flop

The Fosbury Flop, named after American high jumper Dick Fosbury, involves the jumper running in a curve, jumping backwards over the bar, and landing on the back. This technique has become the most popular due to its effectiveness.

Competition Rules

In high jump competitions, athletes are allowed three attempts at each height. If all three attempts result in failure, the athlete is eliminated from the competition. The bar is then raised to a new height where the athlete has three more attempts. The process continues until there is a winner. If there is a tie, the jumper with the fewest total attempts at the final height is declared the winner. If still tied, the one with the fewest failures across the entire competition wins.

Training

Training for the high jump focuses on speed, agility, and strength. Jumpers typically work on their approach, takeoff, and landing techniques, as well as overall physical conditioning. Plyometrics, sprinting, and weight training are common components of a high jumper's training regimen.

Notable High Jumpers

Some of the most notable high jumpers include Dick Fosbury, who revolutionized the sport with the Fosbury Flop; Javier Sotomayor of Cuba, the men's world record holder; and Stefka Kostadinova of Bulgaria, the women's world record holder.

See Also

• Athletics (track and field)
• Olympic Games
• World Championships in Athletics