A Critical High Jumping Mistake 75% of Jumpers Make

Hey Jumpers,

This is a pretty deep topic to cover, so I may have to spread this out over two emails, but I'll do my best to get as much stuff into this one as possible that you can start using today.

Chances are you, like I, have heard this before:

"If you'd arch more in the air you'd have it..."

The trick is, you can be an amazing jumper with a rod up your back. Instead of "arching" what you should be doing is raising your hips.

Interestingly enough, the most recent jumper to fill out the progress survey I sent out last week is someone with a goal PR or 7'. Nearly 60 jumpers who filled out the form all said just about the same thing, "I'm having trouble arching my back." What did this high-level jumper say? "Getting my hips over."

Everyone is focusing on their backs instead of their hips. Raising your hips is going to get you over the bar...not arching your back. Watch the YouTube video below of Javier Sotomayor (the world record holder) jumping the current indoor record of 2.43 meter (7'11.5").
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4yhE5KEPq0

His back is not terribly arched, but watch the motion just as he gets to the peak of his jump. He hips act as a hinge between his legs and torso. His upper body is over, and right as he hits the peak of his jump, he raises his hips up and over the bar.

NOTE: Arching still helps you get your hips up as high as possible, but don't FOCUS on the arch. When you focus on raising your hips, that puts your legs in a better position to then clear the bar as well.

Now, look at one more thing (and we'll talk about this more in the next email). When his hips pass over the bar, look where is knees are relative to his shoulders. Yeah, his knees are already ABOVE his shoulders...and he hasn't even started to kick his legs yet.

Why? Two things. First, he focused on raising his hips which naturally helps the second thing, his rotation. I won't get started on rotation yet, I'll leave that for the next email, but just remember one thing from this email.

KEY CONCEPT: Instead of worrying how much you arch your back during the jump, focus on raising your hips.

This may not make a huge difference in your jumping this week, but after we talk about rotation it certainly will.

Best of luck!

Gregg

Back to Archive

More Articles

Three Tricks to Double the Effectiveness of your High Jump Workouts What Lindsey Vonn Can Teach You About High Jumping What to Do When Your High Jumping Gets Worse - PART 2 What to Do When Your High Jumping Gets Worse Secret to the Perfect High Jump Meet & Video Update Three, PR-Boosting Plyometrics for High Jumpers Want to Never Hit a New High Jump PR Again? Do This. Quick Tip to Dominate Track Meets and Update New High Jump Videos Ready, About 25 Available New High Jump Instructional Videos + An Essential Approach Tip A Critical High Jumping Mistake 75% of Jumpers Make - Part II A Critical High Jumping Mistake 75% of Jumpers Make - Part I High Jump Season is Almost Here: A Vital Tip (Unless You Like Injuries) Do I REALLY Need High Jump Spikes? The Mental Side of High Jumping: When You DON'T Win High Jump Videos...I Totally Forgot! The Ultimate High Jump Warm-Up Tip In-Air High Jump Mistakes and Solutions Crafting the Perfect High Jump Approach The Biggest, Most Common High Jump Mistake I See Top 5 YouTube High Jump Videos...Incredible High Jump PR Update and Uber-important Training Tip Spring High Jump Tip #2 - Exaggerate A Vital Spring High Jump Tip