Coaching and Care of Athletes

THE HOP, STEP, AND JUMP (Plate XLVIII, Fig. I45)· The leg 'gives' at the knee, to provide comp:t;:ession for the next spring, but the body must not 'give' at the hips. The hop landing should be made on the ball of the foot, the 'give' at the knees <;utting out the landing shock which would check the continuity of movement pattern. The athlete's centre of gravity must be over his left foot as he takes off for the step (Plate XLIX, Fig. I47)· Speed need not be lost in the transition from the hop to the step if the left arm is allowed to swing forward as the right knee drives up to lift the hips. The centre of gravity is 6 to I2 ins. ahead of the foot fulcrum when the left leg is fully straightened to complete the take-off for the step . In completing the step the athlete .lands simultaneously on the heel and ball of the right foot. Having landed on the heel and ball of the right foot, the athlete takes off for the jump by fully extending the right leg, but raises the left knee rather higher than hip-level. The right knee is raised to the level of the left knee with a vigorous drive in order that the hips may be elevated as much as possible (Plate XLTX, Fig. I48) : The arms, thrown forward and up at the take-off for the jump, are dropped when the athlete is at the highest point in his trajec– tory of flight (Plate XLIX, Fig. I49). Immediately the high point in flight is passed the athlete effects his landing by the method described in the broad jump, Chapter XXIV, pp. 368 and 369. Points to remember in coaching the hop, step, and jump are: (I) .Hop should not be too long. (2) Step is a definite spring. (3) Get knee-spring at each landing- i.e., leg 'gives' at knee on each landing to prevent shock which. would interrupt rhythm. (4) Rhythm is all-important, with cadence "Ta!-Ta !-Ta!" not "Ta! Ta!-Ta!" or "Ta!-Ta! Ta!" (5) Balance is next in importance. Trunk must remain . u.pright from hop take-off until forced forward for the jump landing. (6) Speed in run-up should be such as allows the athlete to maintain control. (7) Hips must be elevated by hard upward drive of knee of free leg at each take-off, and should be kept up during trajectory of flight (Plate XLIX, Fig. I 48). (8) The athl<:<te's body must be rel~'<:ed at each landing. 377