Long Jump Flight: Clear the Elastic Cord

Two classmates hold a low elastic cord 1 m past the takeoff so the jumper aims for height in flight instead of a flat jump. Students work on vertical lift at takeoff, holding the free knee up and landing with legs reaching forward.

How to play

1. Groups of 5 at the pit: jumper, two cord holders, takeoff watcher and raker; roles rotate after each jump. Chalk a 1 m takeoff zone (2 min).
2. No cord: a 6 step approach and a jump with the free knee driving up, like "stepping onto a high box", landing on both feet (3 min).
3. Holders stand on either side of the pit with the cord 16 inches high and 1 m past the zone, held loosely in open hands (2 min).
4. Jump over the cord with a 6 to 8 step approach; if it is touched, holders let go. Two jumps each (5 min).
5. Raise the cord to 20 to 24 inches for students who cleared it easily, and add the landing with legs reaching forward and arms forward (4 min).
6. Each jumper compares a jump with the cord and one without and says which felt longer (2 min).

Rules

• Hold the cord in an open hand; never tie it to a wrist or a post.
• If the jumper touches the cord, the holders let go right away.
• Holders stand outside the pit to the side, never in the landing area.
• Only one student jumps at a time, and the pit is raked before the next jump.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student holds the cord and acts as takeoff watcher.
• Visual impairment: use a rope with bells so contact can be heard, and guide the approach with claps.
• Fear of the cord: start with the cord on the ground and raise it only when the student asks.

Learning goals

• Gain height in flight with a vertical push at takeoff.
• Keep the free knee up after takeoff.
• Land with legs reaching forward without falling back.

Equipment for a class of 25

• sand pit: 1
• elastic cords: 2
• chalk: 3
• rakes: 2

Teacher tip

Never set the cord high or near the edge of the pit; it is a visual target, not an obstacle. A typical mistake is slowing down before takeoff to clear the cord, so encourage students to keep their speed.

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