Basic Progressions For Learning The Triple Jump
There are many ways to learn how to triple jump. A great way to help a beginning triple jumper start learning about the triple jump is to show he or she videos of world-class jumpers perform the triple jump. This will help the athlete visually understand all of the components of triple jumping and get them motivated to begin training.
There are many basic progressions and drills that triple jumpers do. A basic drill that most jumpers do is the standing triple jump. It’s a good way to start and fairly easy for the athlete to perform since it is performed a very low output of speed and is easily controlled by the jumper. Plus, you can have a friendly competition during their practice time.
Once the athlete has mastered the standing triple jump, the next progression is to use a three-step approach/run-up. This gives the jumper a bit more speed and will allow them to enjoy further increases in their triple jump distance. If possible video the athlete when performing these jumps. It will give them instant feedback about their jumping technique and from a motivational standpoint, they visually “see” how they look compared to the world-class jumpers they viewed.
Basic Drills For The Triple Jump Phases
Working on each phase of the triple jump is an essential skill that needs to be mastered. The hop, step, and jump all have their own unique aspects of technique that are vital to the overall success of every triple jump attempted. In the hop phase the “free” leg, (the leg that is driven up) helps for lift then drops whereas the “support” leg, (the leg the jumper actually takes off with and lands back on prior to the step phase, cycles up, out and around and then contacts the ground as the jumper begins their step phase. One drill the athlete can use is a series of repetitive hops over a certain distance helps to get the feeling of this cycling action of the hop leg.
The step phase is the one phase that many beginning triple jumpers have a difficult time with. This is due to the fact that unlike the hop, where the athlete takes off the ground with one leg and then lands on that same leg as they go into the step. With the step phase, the athlete has begun this phase with their ground take off from the hop and has swung their “free” leg up, for lift, (this is what feels awkward )then needs to use the “free” leg to land with as they contact the ground and go into their jump phase. Like the repetitive hopping drill, the jumper can perform a series of repetitive steps over a certain distance helps the jumper get the feel of taking off one leg and landing on the other leg.
The jump phase is the final phase that takes the jumper into the sandpit. As you contact the ground with your “support” leg, your trailing leg, which is the “free” leg is driven up to give the jumper as much height as possible, then the athlete holds their jumps as long as possible, then extends their legs out in front of their bodies to get the farthest possible distance. The jumper can do some easy 5-6 running step jumps into the sandpit to work on getting as much lift for height and then hold the flight and extend the legs for as much distance as possible.
There are many varieties of progressions and drills for the triple jump. You can see many different YouTube videos about triple jump training. Probably one of the best websites to check-out how to train for the triple jump is Boomer Fitness With Michael G. His Triple Jump Matrix videos start with a series of three videos, the first is for the beginning triple jumper or anyone who has been experiencing difficulties with their triple jumping. It is a very logical, yet easy to understand and fun way to learn the basic fundamentals of the triple jump and enjoy a 2’ to 4’ improvement to your distance in the next 4-6 weeks!!!
Michael G. Helps You Train For The Triple Jump
Mike coaches high school, collegiate, open and Masters triple jumpers. His jumpers have won numerous individual titles over a span of thirty-plus years. He has coached over fifty athletes in the jumps and sprints to All-American status throughout his coaching career. Mike was inducted into the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC) Hall of Fame for track and field in 2011. Some of Mike’s former athletes are now successful coaches at the high school and collegiate levels.
Great News! Michael G (Mike) Is offering his Triple Jump Video Texting Service once again! Here’s how it works; send Mike a video text of each jump, he’ll look at it and send you a text right back with information on what to do to jump farther on your next attempt! Click to learn more about his Triple Jump Video Texting Service.