Endurance and stamina training are good for conditioning the body to do more intensive exercises, but it shouldn’t be at the heart of a high jumper’s training regime. There is nothing wrong with a high jumper having the speed endurance to run a 400m sprint in under 60 seconds, however if you train a high […]
High Jump Training
How important is the knee drive in high jump?
You can break down the phases of the high jump into factors that will contribute towards 80% of your performance and other factors that will contribute towards 20% of your performance. In my own opinion, the knee drive can make a substantial difference to your performance, but I think it falls into the 20%. The […]
Improve your vertical jumping ability in high jump with hurdle jumps.
When I was training for the high jump, this was my favourite plyometric exercise because it greatly improved the elasticity in my legs. What this means is it made me feel more ‘springy’, thus it was much easier to jump higher. It is a plyometric exercise that I would encourage all high jumpers to include […]
Should I wear high jump spikes to improve my performance?
Have you been high jumping in normal shoes, running spikes or even barefoot? Do you think that investing in high jump spikes will improve your performance? To excel in high jump, you want to have the right apparel that will allow you to train and perform effectively. BUT, upgrading to high jump spikes won’t automatically […]
How important is it to visualize when doing high jump?
Visualization is a key part to your success in high jump. Many elite athletes use visualization techniques to gain a competitive edge over their competitors and to train their body and mind to execute the necessary movements that will allow them to perfect their approach, take-off and clearance over the bar. Typically, you will see […]
How much money do high jumpers make?
Have you ever wondered how much money high jumpers make in their career and wondered whether it can be pursued as a profession? Many track and field athletes struggle to earn an income from the sport and are driven by their will to achieve ‘Olympic glory’ rather than pursuing financial gain. Even those athletes that […]
White men can’t jump? Neither can any other ethnic race except black! That is simply not true.
It’s time to separate fact from fiction. Ever since Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson graced shared their basketball skills on screen, the phrase “White men can’t jump”has been an assumption in society. It goes a bit further to assume that the best jumpers or even athletes in the world are of black heritage. There are […]
Do I need to be tall to be a successful high jumper?
No. There’s an association with the best high jumpers in the world being tall, but some of the most talented high jumpers in history weren’t that tall. Stefan Holm is the most renowned short high jumper from recent years. At a height of 1.81m (or 5 feet and 11 inches), the Swedish high jumper was […]
The high jump scissor kick technique.
For anybody who starts off doing the high jump, they are usually introduced to the scissor kick technique first. Despite many athletes opting to start with the flop technique, learning the scissor kick technique can help the athlete jump higher as they develop their high jumping skill. It is also a great skill to use […]