One of two field events also referred to as vertical jumps, competitors in the high jump take off (unaided) from one foot over a four-metre long horizontal bar. They seek to clear the greatest height without knocking the bar to the ground. Athletes land on a crash mat.
All competitors have three attempts per height, although they can elect to ‘pass’, i.e. advance to a greater height despite not having cleared the current one. Three consecutive failures at the same height, or combination of heights, leads to elimination.
If competitors are tied on the same height, the winner is the one with fewest failures at that height. If competitors are still tied, the winner will have had the fewest failures across the entire competition. Thereafter, a jump-off will decide the winner. The jump-off will start at the next greater height. Each jumper has one attempt and the bar is lowered and raised until one jumper succeeds at one height.
The event demands speed, explosive power and agility among other qualities. At major championships the format is usually a qualification competition followed by a final.
I'm an avid track and field enthusiast with a profound understanding of the high jump, a captivating vertical jump event that showcases athletes' agility, explosive power, and speed. My knowledge stems from years of closely following the sport, attending numerous competitions, and even engaging with athletes and coaches to gain insights into the nuances of high jumping.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article to shed light on how the high jump works:
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Take-off and Bar Clearance:
- Athletes take off unaided from one foot.
- The objective is to clear a horizontal bar that is four meters long.
- The bar is a crucial element, and competitors must clear it without causing it to fall to the ground.
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Attempts and Passing:
- Each competitor is given three attempts per height.
- Athletes can choose to 'pass,' meaning they advance to a greater height without clearing the current one.
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Elimination Criteria:
- Three consecutive failures at the same height, or a combination of heights, result in elimination.
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Tiebreaker Rules:
- In case of a tie on the same height, the winner is determined by the one with the fewest failures at that height.
- If competitors are still tied, the overall competition's winner is the one with the fewest failures throughout.
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Jump-Off:
- If a tie persists, a jump-off occurs starting at the next greater height.
- Each jumper has one attempt, and the bar is lowered and raised until one athlete successfully clears the bar.
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Competition Format:
- Major championships typically feature a qualification competition followed by a final.
- The qualification round serves as a precursor to the main event, where athletes vie for a spot in the final.
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Key Skills Required:
- The high jump demands a combination of skills, including speed, explosive power, and agility.
- Athletes must execute precise techniques to achieve the necessary height while ensuring a clean clearance over the bar.
In essence, the high jump is not merely a display of physical prowess but a strategic competition where athletes must balance risk and skill to outperform their rivals. The intricate rules and tiebreaker mechanisms contribute to the excitement, making the high jump a thrilling spectacle in the realm of track and field.
FAQs
Here are some general guidelines for normative data of vertical jump height:
- Average jump height for untrained males: 16-20 inches (40-50 cm)
- Average jump height for untrained females: 12-16 inches (30-40 cm)
- Average jump height for trained males: 24-28 inches (60-70 cm)
What is the high jump? The high jump is a track-and-field competition in which athletes attempt to complete the highest jump over a crossbar. An attempt in this event (the jump itself) is also called a high jump.
What is the highest high jump in history? ›
The high jump world record is 2.45 meters (8 ft 0.46 in), by Javier Sotomayor of Cuba, who achieved this height on the 27th of July 1993 in Salamanca (see High Jump Record videos). Sotomayor also holds the indoor world record of 2.43 meters (7 ft 11.67 in).
How high did LeBron jump? ›
With his vertical leap reportedly measuring in at somewhere north of 40 inches (the NBA average is in the high 20s), King James is able to launch his 6-foot-8-inch, 250-pound frame with seeming ease. But how does he do it? And more importantly, what can I (and you) do to be more like him?
How high can Michael Jordan jump? ›
Michael Jordan (48 Inches): Often referred to as "His Airness," Michael Jordan had a running vertical jump of 48 inches. His iconic dunk from the free-throw line in the 1988 All-Star Weekend Slam Dunk Competition is a testament to his incredible athleticism.
How high can a human safely fall? ›
Demetrios Demetriades, a professor of surgery at the Kerk School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, told Live Science. "If someone falls more than 60 feet [18 m], this is usually lethal, and it is extremely unlikely, or a miracle, if a patient falls from higher than 80 feet [24 m] and survives."
What is LeBron James vertical jump? ›
LeBron James – 44 Inches.
How far can Ronaldo jump? ›
His highest jump was measured at a mind-boggling 2.93m when he netted a header for Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League 2012-13 against his former club Manchester United. Even in the latter parts of his career, his fitness levels allowed him to leap above everyone else.
What is the highest jump of Ronaldo? ›
Cristiano Ronaldo vs Manchester United (2.93m)
In football history, Cristiano Ronaldo's highest ever recorded jump is an incredible achievement. In February 2013, Ronaldo made a spectacular 2.93-meter leap while playing for Real Madrid against Manchester United in a round-of-16 match of the UEFA Champions League.
Why does an athlete put sand? ›
Explanation: In a high jump athletic event, the athletes are made to fall either on a cushioned bed or sand bed. This is to increase the time of the athlete's fall to stop after making the jump. This decreases the rate of change of momentum and hence, the force.
Almost all falls from beyond about 10 stories are fatal, although people have survived much higher falls than this, even onto hard surfaces. For example, one suicidal jumper has survived a fall from the 39th story of a building, as has a non-suicidal person who accidentally fell from the 47th floor.
What is a foul in high jump? ›
When is a foul recorded? If an athlete takes off from two feet. If the athlete touches the landing area beyond the plane of the bar without clearing the bar. If the athlete knocks the bar off the support.
How do you train for high jump? ›
Approach Drills
- Straight Start. Run only the first five steps with and without the transition.
- 3 Point Line Runs. If you have access to a basketball court, run the three-point line. ...
- Circle Runs or Skips. ...
- Straights with Circles. ...
- Pit Circles. ...
- 3 and 5 Step Jumps. ...
- Walk in or Jog in 5 Steps. ...
- Full Approach with Scissors Kick.
Considering Ronaldo's height is 6'2” or 1.87m, his vertical leap during the goal can be measured at approximately 1.06m or 41.7 inches. Jordan's highest vertical leap, an NBA record, measures 48 inches. The average vertical jump of NBA players is around 28 to 30 inches.
What is Ja Morant's vertical jump? ›
Ja Morant Pulls Off An Insane 62-Inch Box Jump
Ja Morant's official vertical jump is listed at 44 inches. That's well above the NBA average, but is that Morant's limit?
What is Ronaldo's highest jump? ›
In football history, Cristiano Ronaldo's highest ever recorded jump is an incredible achievement. In February 2013, Ronaldo made a spectacular 2.93-meter leap while playing for Real Madrid against Manchester United in a round-of-16 match of the UEFA Champions League.
