High Jump – the take off

In high jump the most crucial time in the athletes jump is the take off if this part fails the whole jump is a failure so for a high jumper practice in this area is crucial. While closing into the bar the jumper must find their place of take off this should be closer to the front stand but not further than the middle of the bar, this is so the jumper has length to travel the bar and still land on the mat. Depending on the athletes chosen leg decides what side the athlete comes in towards the mat from normally an athlete coming in from the right will be using their right leg for propulsion over the bar and vice versa. During take off the athlete should not only use their legs but also their arms to add momentum not only to give them lift but also to help them turn 90 degrees so that their back is facing the bar initiating the Fosbury flop.