How to Help Kids Stick Their Long Jump Landing
One of the basic skills of long jumping that challenges many beginners is the ability to take off from one foot and then land on two feet, particularly if this skill is preceded by an approach run. Many kids simply leap into the sand from one foot to the other and continue running a few steps through the pit.
Before kids can become confident long jumpers, they first need to master one of the most overlooked skills in athletics – landing.
We need to go back and first teach the kids the basics of a two-foot landing.
Here is a suggested approach.
Land Like a Ninja
Explain to the kids that before they – as “trainee ninjas” – can practice dangerous river jumping (a tease to the later activities!), they must pass some preliminary tests.
The ninja theme helps kids focus on the outcome rather than overthinking the technique. The result is often better technique with much less instruction.
The first three tasks can be done away from the landing pit on a soft flat area. (I have used long jump runways and kept quite large groups all active).
It might feel like you’re delaying the “real” long jump, but these first three levels often save time later because athletes develop confidence before speed is introduced.
Level 1 White Belt: Standing Vertical Jumps on the Spot
Action:
Simply ask the kids to perform a small 2-footed jump in place, taking off from two feet and landing on two feet in the same spot.
Cue:
The feet make just one noise (land simultaneously), not two (consecutive) noises on landing.
Ninjas land softly and silently in a balanced “ready” stance.
Encourage the kids to bend their legs to soften the landing, increase control, and avoid a stiff-legged landing that so often leads to the classic fall-back.
Once the kids can complete Level 1…
Level 2 Yellow Belt: Standing Forward Jump
As above but the kids this time make a small jump forward (e.g. over a line), taking off and landing on two feet.
Continue to emphasise:
- One noise
- Land softly
- Ninja ready stance
Once the kids can complete Level 2…
Level 3 Green Belt: One Foot take-off; two foot landing
The kids step onto one foot and make a small jump to a two-foot landing.
Help them along by suggesting they say “1…2” to themselves while performing the skill to remember the 1 foot to 2 feet sequence.
Once the kids can complete Level 3…
Level 4 Brown Belt: Slow Approach to Ninja Landing
Move to the long jump runway. The kids will now land in the sand.
Add a short walk or jog into the jump. The kids take off with one foot from the runway and land with two feet in the sand.
If the kids resort to old habits of:
- “Two-step landing” i.e. One foot touching down after the other
- “Run-throughs” i.e. No commitment to landing
add the cue:
“Freeze like a ninja statue for 2 seconds.”
This will reinforce balance and control.
Don’t rush to longer run-ups. If kids can’t stick a balanced landing from three walking steps, adding speed will usually make the problem worse.
Ninja Troubleshooting
If your trainee ninjas are finding the landing difficult, try these simple fixes.
| If you see… | Try this… |
| Landing one foot then the other | Return to Level 3 and repeat the “1…2” rhythm. |
| Running through the pit | Ask them to “Freeze like a ninja statue for 2 seconds.” |
| Falling backwards | Encourage “soft ninja knees” and landing with bent legs. |
| Wobbling after landing | Reduce the run-up until they can stick the landing consistently. |
Once your ninjas can consistently land with balance and control, they’re ready for their first mission…
Level 5 Black Belt Game: Ninja River Jump Challenge
Set-Up
Add 3-4 “riverbanks” designated by coloured cones placed along the side of the landing area. e.g. Yellow, green, red and white, where yellow is the closest and white is the furthest.
Challenge
The kids try to jump to the furthest riverbank they can. Allow slightly longer and faster run-ups.
As the kids improve:
- Only successful ninja landings count
- Bonus points for:
- Quiet landings
- Sticking the finish
- Best “ninja pose”
Conclusion
Before kids can jump further, they need to learn how to land better. If kids can’t do this in a simple setting, they’ll struggle when speed is added. Sometimes, the simplest way to teach better landings is for the kids to become a ninja.
How do you teach long jump landings?
Have you used themes like ninjas, superheroes or animals? Share your favourite coaching idea in the comments.
Further Reading
How to Teach Young Athletes to Long Jump E-Book
If this post helped you please take a moment to help others by sharing it on social media. If you want to learn more I encourage you to leave questions and comments or contact me directly.
Darren Wensor is a sports development professional, coach educator, specialist coach of young athletes, and founder of the blog coachingyoungathletes.com. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, or via email. Check out Coaching Young Athletes on YouTube, the Coaching Young Athletes podcast, and the Coaching Young Athletes E-Book Series.
Coaching Young Athletes 