tangent
...momentum. This momentum is critical as it will be transferred to the ground as a force and as Mr Newtons 3rd Law of Motion States “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction”, according to this law if we exert a downwards force of 1200 Newtons on the ground, the ground then exerts a force of 1200 Newtons on us in an upward direction which propels us into the air. So naturally the larger force we supply to the ground the larger force the ground propels us into the air with. Since (F=m(v-u)/t) and m is fixed, we see the final velocity and the time in which the force acts over are vital. (Show example). By increasing the final velocity and decreasing the time over which the force is acting we can increase the force we apply to the ground and hence receive greater force acting on ourselves. This is basically the function of the approach aspect, to build momentum and impulsive force which will be converted to vertical velocity and momentum. The final part is, Clearing the Bar: The aim of this phase is to as the name suggests clear the bar. You do this by obtaining as much height as possible. Using this technique the initial height is obtained by bracing the take-off leg momentarily with as much force as possible. Since we are applying this sudden force to the ground the ground exerts an equal and opposite force on us which propels us into the air, this is known as our explosive force. This explosive force blocks most of out horizontal momentum and converts it into vertical momentum. This vertical momentum is what gives us our height into the jump and allows us to clear the bar. Our body’s centre of mass is a vital factor we must take into account. In case anyone has forgotten a bodies centre of mass is the point at which gravity is the most concentrated on a body or mass, it is also the point where perfect balance may occur. In theory we must try to reduce the amount our centre of mass clears a high jump bar by. This should then result in being able to clear higher heights without expending any extra energy. If we look at the formula for gravitational potential energy (E = mgh) where “h” is the height of the centre of mass. We can see that in a high jump “m” and “g” are constant therefore “h” an “E” are proportionate to each other. (Show example), as we can see by this lowering our centre of mass as close to the bar as possible greatly reduces the amount of energy expended in each jump. Using this data we can determine the best way to use the straddle technique is to do the following three things: They are 1) Achieve optimum velocity in approach stage 2) Maximum force supplied to brace leg to halt horizontal momentum and, 3) Lower your centre of gravity to be as close to bar as possible By following these three steps you are sure to improve your high jump skill when using the straddle style! Next up we have the Fosbury flop style. As I said before the Fosbury flop style was first used at world class level by Dick Fosbury in the 1968 Olympics, after this day basically all high jumpers adopted this style and still is used by most today. So what makes the Fosbury flop so much better than the straddle technique? The Fosbury flop can be divided into The Approach, The Take off and Clearing the Bar. Perhaps the most important of all of these is the approach. The Approach: The main difference in the approaches of the Fosbury flop and the straddle technique is the fact that the straddle has a linear approach whereas the flop has a linear approach to begin with but has a sharp curve towards the end. So why have a curved approach? There are a few reasons: Running in a curve causes centrifugal force also known a...