#32: Gill1918 presents Harry Marra "Teaching Points of Excellence in the LJ" Points 3 and 4

3. THE RUNWAY

A. The entire length of the approach must go from SLOW to FAST. The fastest part occuring at the moment of Take Off ( T/O ).

B. The RHYTHM of the approach should be smooth, consistent and maintained throughout the entire approach.

C. COUNTING ( out loud or to yourself ) can greatly assist in developing the above stated RHYTHM.

D. While correct Sprint Mechanics must strive for perfection during the approach, an ' elastic loading ' ( or SPLITS ) must occur on each successive stride. In effect, this is an increase of the actual stride length of the athlete, all the while maintaining excellent sprint technique.

4. THE PENULTIMATE STEP

A. The athlete must remain PERPENDICULAR throughout the approach...This means the UPPER BODY is sitting / postured directly over the LOWER BODY. There can be NO leaning backwards or forwards in any part of the approach and take off.

B. The PENULTIMATE STEP ( second last step of the approach ) is always the LONGEST STEP / STRIDE in any jumping approach. ( LJ, HJ, PV, TJ ). However, speed can NOT be compromised here. Maintaining a PERPENDICULAR POSTURE will help in keeping the speed in tact during the penultimate step.

C. The athlete must LEAD WITH THE HEEL OF THE PENULTIMATE FOOT as he / she is going into the Penultimate Step. BUT...the athlete MUST put the foot down FLAT as it strikes the ground.

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