Balanced Triple: Measure Your Three Phases

In groups of three, students measure each phase of the triple jump to see if one is too long or too short. With that data, each student adjusts how they spread their effort.

How to play

1. Briefing: an efficient triple spreads the distance fairly evenly across phases, with the step usually the shortest (3 min).
2. Trios: jumper, chalk marker and recorder; takeoff from a wide chalk zone and landing on mats (2 min).
3. Round one: two jumps each; the marker chalks every contact and the three phases are measured (10 min).
4. Analysis on the sheet: which phase is too long or too short? Each student picks one change (5 min).
5. Round two: two jumps applying the change and new measurements (8 min).
6. Compare sheets and a brief chat in the trio (2 min).

Rules

• Measurers wait outside the lane until the jumper has landed and left.
• Chalk stays outside the lane, never on the runway.
• Take off inside the zone, no board.
• Phase balance is what counts, not total distance.

Variations

Adaptations

• Visual impairment: the trio narrates the contacts and the jumper uses a short run with sound cues.
• Ankle injury: becomes recorder and analyst for two trios.
• Trouble with numbers: sheet with three bars to color in instead of calculations.

Learning goals

• Analyze your own technique with data.
• Balance the phases of the triple jump.
• Cooperate in defined roles.

Equipment for a class of 25

• measuring tape: 5
• chalk: 10
• mats: 6
• score sheets: 30
• pencils: 10

Teacher tip

Don't hand out fixed 'correct' percentages; it's enough for them to see that an oversized hop wrecks the step. Prep a sheet with three columns and a box for the chosen change.

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