Triple Jump
Cliff Rovelto
Over the years there has been much debate as to the best style of
jumping in the triple jump. Individual athletes and even countries
have been typecast as being proponents of various techniques.
There are basically three different styles which the athletes have
used and all three styles have produced lengthy triple jumps.
(Kenny Harrison, Khristo Markov, Victor Saneyev)
2. Balanced style
(Al Joyner)
(Willie Banks, João Carlos de Oliveira, Jonathan Edwards,
Christian Taylor)
Christian Taylor – American Record Holder
Average 34.0% - 29.5% - 36.5%
2019 Doha World Championships
17.92m (58’ 9 ½”) (+0.9) 1st
6.31 m (20’ 8 ½”) – 5.18 m (17’ 0”) – 6.43 m (21’ 1 ¼”)
35.0% - 29.0% - 36.0%
For the sake of consistency, Dr. James Hay has defined the styles using a
two percent differential between the hop and the jump phases as the
standard for comparison. For example, the triple jump is considered
hop dominated if the distance covered in the hop phase is 2% or more
greater than the distance covered in the jump phase.
Research spurred by the success of Jonathan Edwards of Great Britain
appears to make a strong argument for the jump dominated style of
triple jumping. Dr. James Hay proposes four factors to be considered
which make a strong argument for the jump dominated style of triple
jumping.
landing on the hop leg of 14-22 times the athlete’s body weight.
The variance is due to the height the center of mass falls upon
landing. Obviously, the greater the force the greater the chance for
injury. Kenny Harrison produced the largest hop on record, 7.02
(23’ ½”). A model was produced which showed that had Kenny
finished the jump, that is landed, he would have long jumped 8.20
(27’ 2 ½”). Kenny was obviously a hop dominated triple jumper
absorbing tremendous forces on his hop leg. He also had numerous
skeletal and muscular injuries throughout his career.
2. Balance Argument: Athletes who tend to have a big hop seem to
have more problems with balance and maintaining postural
integrity throughout the triple jump.
the triple jump regardless of the style is paramount in importance.
The longer the hop, the higher the hop and the greater the
deceleration upon landing. If the hop is lower and more controlled,
improved maintenance of horizontal velocity should be the result.
employed by the athlete there appears to be a high inverse
correlation between the total distance covered and the distance of
the hop.
B. TRIPLE JUMP CONSIDERATIONS
correlation with the triple jump and 400 meter ability. This is due
in part to high levels of strength-endurance. However, a good
triple jump approach appears to look much like a 400 meter
runner running down the backstretch. The athlete is moving fast
but under control.
Chaytan Hill and Vanitta Kinard, with PR’s over 14 meters, both split
54-55 on relays.
Clifton Etheridge and Dante McGrew, with PR’s over 16.40 meters were
in the 47-48 range.
Kenny Harrison,
18.09 / 59’ 4 ¼” split 45. Christian Taylor 18.21 / 59’ 9” had a 400 meter PR of 45.07.
d. Accuracy / mid marks / steering mechanism
2. Hop Phase
quick-quick
e. Takeoff angles range from 14-18° as compared to 18-22° in
the long jump
f. At takeoff, think project hips forward, we want to see a
large displacement of hips before the toe leaves the ground
g. Single vs. double arm takeoff
h. Thighs pass each other
i. Active landing
3. Step Phase
Sheila Hudson’s 46’; 36% (16’ 5”) – 31% (14’ 5”) – 33% (15’ 1”)
d. Wait for ground; don’t reach for ground
e. Active landing
4. Jump Phase
c. Extension
d. Posture
5. Landing
C. WORDS TO THE WISE
1. Teach full foot landings
2. Teach active landings
3. Get to jump phase as quickly as possible
4. Encourage single arm actions at takeoff
5. Most successful triple jumpers are fairly aggressive and have a “go for it”
type attitude
There is only one reason to step on the runway – that is to jump farther
6. Be “special”
Be special on every rep
If the athlete is special on Tuesday in November, he/she will be fine on
Saturday in March
7. Dick Booth “Move the shoe” mentality
better!
Testing norms for FEMALE jumpers: (Per Coach Rovelto)
Collegiate to Post Grad High School Elite
Snatch: around body weight -
Clean: 1.25 x’s body weight body weight
Squat: thigh parallel 2 x’s body weight (straight bar) 1x5 x’s body weight
SLJ: 2.50 m / 8’ 2 ½” – 2.80 m / 9’ 2 ¼” 2.40 m + / 7’ 10”
STJ: 7.80 m / 25’ 7 ¼” – 8.20 m / 26’ 11” 7.50 m + / 24’ 7 ¼”
30m, SS: 3.8 – 4.1 sec 3.9 – 4.2 sec
30m, Fly: 3.20 – 3.40 sec FAT (25-30m acceleration) 3.30 – 3.50 sec FAT
OVBSP 4k SP: 14.00 m / 45’ 11 ¼” – 17.00 m / 55’ 9 ¼” 12.50 m + / 41’ ¼”
Testing norms for MALE jumpers: (Per Coach Rovelto)
Collegiate to Post Grad High School Elite
Snatch: body weight .80 x’s body weight
Clean: 1.5 x’s body weight 1.0 – 1.25 x’s body weight
Squat: thigh parallel 2.25 - 2.50 x’s body weight (straight bar) 2 x’s body weight
SLJ: 3.20 m / 10’ 6” – 3.40 m / 11’ 1 ¾” 3.00 m + / 9’ 10”
STJ: 9.00 m / 29’ 6 ½” – 10.00 m / 32’ 9 ¾” 8.50 m / 27’ 10 ¾” – 9.00 m / 29’ 6 ½”
30m, SS: 3.2 – 3.5 sec 3.3 – 3.6 sec
30m, Fly: 2.80 – 3.00 sec FAT 2.90 – 3.10 sec FAT
OVBSP 16lb SP: 15.00 m / 49’ 2 ½” – 18.00 m / 59’ ¾” 13.00 m + / 42’ 8”