Long Jump Landing Drills in the Sand Pit

A progression focused on the last phase of the long jump: driving the legs forward and landing without sitting back so no distance is lost. Students learn an efficient and safe landing, the part of the jump they most often neglect.

How to play

1. Groups of 6 at the pit with one rake attendant who rotates every 5 jumps. Explain that the jump is measured to the mark closest to the board (2 min).
2. Standing two-foot jump from the edge of the pit, extending the legs and swinging the arms from back to front to fall forward. Three reps (4 min).
3. With a pole lying on the sand 20 inches from the edge, students must land past it without touching it with their heels. Three jumps, moving the pole 4 inches farther each time (5 min).
4. A 4-6 step approach and takeoff from a wide marked zone, aiming to point the heels at the pole on landing (6 min).
5. A partner measures the gap between the heel marks and the mark farthest back (hand or seat) and records it; the goal is to close the gap (5 min).
6. Two final jumps with full measurement, compared with the first jump of the class (3 min).

Rules

• Nobody enters the pit until the previous jumper is out and the sand is raked.
• Always exit the pit forward or out the sides, never back toward the board.
• Poles lie loose on the sand and are never stuck into it.
• Safety: sand dug up at least 8 inches deep and free of buried objects.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student serves as official and measurer, reading the marks to give feedback.
• Visual impairment: a partner claps at the edge of the pit to guide the takeoff and landing.
• Lower fitness or fear of landing: standing jumps onto a mat before moving to the sand.

Learning goals

• Drive the legs forward when landing a long jump.
• Fall forward and avoid contacts behind the heels.
• Follow safety rules when using the sand pit.

Equipment for a class of 25

• sand pit: 1
• rakes: 2
• measuring tapes: 2
• poles: 4

Teacher tip

The classic mistake is sitting back on landing; teach students to bend the knees on contact and push the hips toward the feet. Check the sand before class.

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