High Jump

The high jump is a field event wherein the competitors compete by jumping over a horizontal bar at measured heights unaided by any device. Contrary to popular belief, the high jump was not a part of the ancient Olympic games. The earliest recorded event of a competition that included the high jump dates back to 1840.

The body of a high jumper is somewhat similar to those the marathon runners in the sense that they are both lean and light. This is essential because, in order to be able to achieve a good height, it is always helpful to have less weight to carry around.

The evolution of the high jump can be seen in the techniques that have been developed from the time it was started. During its conception, the landing area was a sawdust pit, as opposed to the raised, soft landing areas of today's high jump competitions. Because of this, the early techniques of jumping had a lot to do with landing safely. The early jumpers used either a straight-on approach or a scissors technique. A straight-on approach meant approaching the bar from the front and jumping as high as possible to clear it, while the scissors technique was used by approaching the bar diagonally and clearing it by raising the inside leg first and then the other in a scissoring motion.

As time went by, different techniques were developed in order to achieve better height. Among them were the “Western Roll”, “Straddle Technique”, and the “Fosbury Flop”. The latter is the current technique being used by all the high jumpers and is considered to be the most practical in achieving the best height.

As with all athletic events, the high jump is sanctioned by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). The IAAF is also responsible for authorizing the rules being used in the high jump competitions. Among these rules are:
1) The IAAF has specified in its rulebook the weight of the crossbar to be used during competition. Fiberglass is generally used as the material of the crossbar.
2) The dimensions of the landing area is specified in the IAAF rulebooks.
3) As specified by the IAAF rules, the runway used in the long jump must be over 15 meters long.
4) During competition, an athlete is given three chances to clear a certain height. Failing to do so will result in disqualification.
5) The horizontal bar is elevated a minimum of 2cm at every stage of the competition.
6) Displacing the bar from its supports during a jump invalidates the jump.