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The long jump: what you should know about a gravity-defying sport
Sunday, 14 July 2024
At the Tenerife Athletics Center (CIAT), you can practice a wide variety of disciplines that test your physical abilities. One of them is the long jump, which consists of covering the greatest horizontal distance in a single jump after a running start. Athletes must master each stage: the approach run, the takeoff phase, and the posture in the air to achieve a successful jump.
The long jump has its origins in ancient Greece, where athletes competed in jumping events as part of the ancient Olympic Games. Furthermore, this event requires not only physical strength and technical skill, but also a deep understanding of the biomechanical and physical principles that govern it.
What are the rules of the long jump?
As mentioned before, success in the long jump is not just about brute strength, but a combination of technique and intelligent strategy. Therefore, it is important to know the rules when jumping:
1. The order of participation will be determined by a draw.
2. All competitors will make 3 qualifying attempts and 3 improvement attempts. Where there are more than 8 competitors, only the 8 highest-ranked competitors from the previous round will make the 3 improvement jumps. If there is a tie for eighth place, all tied athletes will make the 3 jumps.
3. The highest of the six jumps will be considered the best mark.
4. No permanent markings may be placed on the runway, although they may be placed on its sides.
5. A jump will be considered a foul if the athlete steps on the take-off line or if, during landing, the athlete touches the ground outside the sand pit closer to the take-off line than to the mark left in the pit.
6. A jump will be considered a foul if, after the jump, the athlete exits the pit behind the last mark; they must always exit in front.
7. A jump will be considered a foul if the athlete performs any type of somersault during the approach run or during the jump.
8. A jump will be considered a foul if the athlete takes off from outside either end of the board, whether in front of or behind the extension of the take-off line.
9. The jump will be measured from the last mark left from the edge closest to the take-off board.
How is victory determined?
Victory is awarded to the person who records the greatest distance in their jump, and each athlete has the opportunity to make three qualifying jumps. In the event of a tie, the second-best attempt is used to determine the winner.
If the number of competitors exceeds eight, each will make three initial attempts, and the top eight will have the opportunity to make three additional attempts to improve their position.
How can we get started in this athletics discipline?
At the Tenerife Athletics Center, we teach you everything you need to know about long jump, and we have the ideal facilities to practice this sport. Want to know more? Contact us!
