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> 1) Jump boxes and ramps
> I know a few coaches who swear by them and other who never use them.
> Does anyone here use them? If so, when and why? If not, why not.
> I do not as I feel that it messes with their rhythm over the bar and
> can lead to bad habits such as rotating the jump foot to parallel or
> even away from the pit.
>
> 1) Jump boxes and ramps
> I know a few coaches who swear by them and other who never use them.
> Does anyone here use them? If so, when and why? If not, why not.
> I do not as I feel that it messes with their rhythm over the bar and
> can lead to bad habits such as rotating the jump foot to parallel or
> even away from the pit.
>
Advantages
Can create mechanically superior conditions for the jumper.
Help develop focus on aspects of the jump
There is reduced stress in the takeoff
They are psychologically useful - getting used to seeing a bar above head height
(I would never go above 20cms (8") for a senior and probably less for a junior
Stepping down off a box (setupfoot) encourages a faster foot plant - not easy to use.
Disadvantages
Used too much at the wrong time they will screw up takeoff timing
Miss them and you have no ankle
Ramps have an advantage as they more naturally accommodate the foot plant
> 2) Jumping on grass
> This is one I only just started thinking about. The pole vault coach
> at our school bought our old pit and set it up at his house (he has a
> lot of land). Our AD went ahead and gave him an old high jump pit as
> well. He is probably going to put in a run up for the pole vault but
> as of now everything is just on the grass. This summer I have met a
> few of my high jumpers out there to get some jumps in. They all seem
> to like jumping on the grass. They wear their spikes and have had no
> real trouble with slippage. This got me to wondering if maybe
> training for HJ on the grass may not be a bad idea. It seems like
> many jumpers complain about shin pain in their jumping leg by the end
> of the season. I am wondering if you spent time jumping off of the
> grass if it might help to put less stress on the leg.
If level, short and dry grass can be as reactive as synthetic. Problems are more likely to come from poor running style and sloppy footplants
As far as training is concerned mixing grass with gym floors and synthetic is a good idea to help minimise stress injuries.
Denis Doyle
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