Athletics (British Sports Library)

THE HIGH JUMP 207 leg, supplemented by arm action, that rolls him over and clear of the cross-bar. Anotner style, which is more favoured at present, allows for either the " direct from the front " or the sideways run-up to the take-off. This style calls for a medium pace approach– since it is height and not length that is desired-of 7 to 10 yards. This is equivalent to ten easy steps or six easy strides. The run-up is springy but not too fast, and the take-off, or foot-stamp, with a roll of the foot from heel to toes, is a fundamental of success. The take-off should be made as near to the bar as possible, and the approximate point may be ascertained by standing in front of the cross-bar and swinging up the free leg, from which you do not jump, allowing sufficient clearance for the up– kicked leg. If the jumper takes off too close, he will kick off the bar with the free leg as it rises ; if too far away, he will either have to jump higher than should be necessary to effect clearance, or will knock the bar down with his body before landing. Sketch 3 may now be studied. As the jumper leaves the ground, the leg is straightened out and is allowed to remain in that position; the body is bent a little forward and the arms and shoulders help to lift the body into the air, but the arms must not at this stage rise above the level of the shoulders. The head is turned so that the body goes up straight.