Jumping Events - High Jump - Fosbury Flop Technique

High Jump - Fosbury Flop Technique

Only students aged ten years and over may be engaged in Fosbury flop high jump, and then, only within small specialised groups conducted by teachers with competence in teaching the event.

Fosbury flop high jump is unsuitable for class groups. Students who show promise in lead-up activities may be chosen for development in small, specialised groups.

As part of the process of safety self-regulation, all persons engaging in this activity should identify the hazards, assess their significance and manage the potential risks including any additional hazards not mentioned here

Hazards that may be encountered in athletics activities involving jumping events include:

• equipment (e.g. landing surface, high-jump bar, uprights, crossbar, take-off board, long-jump pit, pole); and
• spikes.

A major potential for injury results from the forces involved during the conversion or take-off phases of these jumps. These forces may measure up to five times the body weight of the athlete.

The categorisation of these conditions is subjective and offered as a starting point for risk management planning. The actual degree of risk is best ascertained by persons with intimate local knowledge present at the site of the activity.

Fosbury flop high jump technique is categorised as High risk (level 3).

One adult present should have knowledge of, and an ability to perform, first aid procedures.

If an adult other than a registered teacher is engaged for instruction, a teacher should be present to take overall responsibility.

The qualifications listed in this section are minimums for each type of situation. Leaders are encouraged to seek training to raise their qualification level above the minimum listed.

For High Risk (Level 3) activities, the leader should be:

• a registered teacher with competence (demonstrated ability to undertake the activity) in the teaching of the specific jump; or
• an adult who has Level 1 Accreditation from the Australian Track and Field Coaches Association, if a teacher with these qualifications is not available.

A first aid kit should be available at all venues where lessons and competitions are conducted.

Activities should be sited away from buildings, pedestrians and other activities.

Approach and take-off areas should be level and have an even surface.

The landing area should be of impact absorbing material, and large enough to ensure that students remain within the confines until the jump is completed.

Landing and take-off areas should be well maintained to avoid risk of injury to students.

The run-up and take-off areas should be dry and free from any slippery material.

The teacher should:

• implement strategies for safe athletics activities involving jumping events
• supervise the approach, take-off and landing areas
• clear the landing area before students commence their approach
• instruct students regarding safety procedures in the use of spikes; and
• clear spectators of the landing area before the activity commences.

Students engaged in Fosbury flop high jump technique should be given adequate lead-up activities before advancing to the actual technique.

The landing area should measure not less than 5 metres long by 3 metres wide and should contain sufficient materials to adequately reduce shock on landing. The height of the landing mats should be a minimum of 40 centimetres.

Gymnastics mats are unsuitable for use as materials directly landed upon by the competitor, but may be used, at a depth of 15 cm, around the end/back periphery of the landing area.

Where the landing area consists of several mats, these should be held together firmly with straps or ties or the whole area should be covered with a one-piece overlay.

Mats should be carried by hands at the side and not carried aloft on backs, shoulders or heads.

The bars for training may be collapsible or circular fibreglass as a preparation for competition. Triangular bars should not be used. Circular fibreglass bars are recommended for competition.

A distance of approximately 20 centimetres should be allowed between the vertical planes of the crossbar and the front edge of the landing area, to allow a displaced bar to fall to the ground rather than fall on the landing area.

• Queensland School Sport
• Jumping Events
• HLS-PR-013: Developing a Sun Safety Strategy
• SCM-PR-002: School Excursions
• HLS-PR-005: Injury, Illness and Dangerous Event Recording and Reporting
• HLS-PR-003: First Aid for Schools and Non-school Locations