The Approach IS the Jump - Why Most High Jumpers Don't Understand This

Summary

Dantavious Hill, a three-time Team USA high jumper, explains the critical importance of the high jump approach, specifically the J-curve. He highlights common misunderstandings and mistakes made by high jumpers and offers solutions for improvement.

Highlights

Solution: Practice Approaches Without a Bar00:05:00

To correct these issues, high jumpers should practice their approach without a bar. This allows them to focus on perfecting their J-curve, generating an effective lean, and testing their ability to get proper rotation and lift. The approach constitutes 90% of the high jump.

High Jump Film Critique Offer00:06:22

Dantavious offers to critique high jump films for athletes and parents, providing insights and strategy calls to help them achieve goals like qualifying for state, earning D1 scholarships, or breaking records.

The Approach is the Jump00:00:16

Dantavious Hill introduces the concept that the high jump approach, or J-curve, is not just the steps before the jump, but rather it is integral to the jump itself. He emphasizes that the quality of the approach directly determines the quality of the jump.

Mistake 1: Cutting the Curve00:02:00

A common mistake is cutting the curve short, which causes athletes to lose the centripetal force needed to launch them over the bar. This leads to traveling too far along the bar or into the pit too quickly, preventing them from gaining height.

Mistake 2: "Robot" Lean00:03:32

Another error is not achieving enough inward lean during the curve. Athletes often robotically step around the turn with minimal lean. A significant inward lean is necessary to generate the rotational force that propels the jumper across the bar.