Long Jump with Live Cue Cards

A formative assessment session for the long jump where a partner observer, right after each jump, holds up one of six cue cards (steady run-up, take off on the board, knee drive, active arms, legs forward on landing, don't fall back). The jumper applies that single cue on the next attempt and notes whether the distance and the feel change.

How to play

1. Review the phases of the jump and the six cards, with a short demo of each cue (5 min).
2. Form two groups per pit; in each pair, one jumps and one observes with the cards, standing at the side level with the board (2 min).
3. First set: each jumper takes three jumps and after each one the observer holds up the card with the top-priority cue; distance is measured (9 min).
4. Switch roles and do the second set the same way (9 min).
5. Each student reviews on the sheet which cards they got, whether any repeated and what distance they reached when applying it; they choose their key cue for next session (3 min).

Rules

• The pit is raked after every jump, and nobody jumps until the rake is out.
• Wait in line to the side of the runway, never on it.
• The card is raised silently: the observer adds no explanations during the set.
• Jump in properly laced sneakers and check that the pit is free of objects.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: does a distance accuracy throw with cue cards adapted to that movement.
• Hearing impairment: the card system is visual and especially useful; it is reinforced with an agreed gesture.
• Ankle or knee injury: serves as observer and measuring judge for the whole session.

Learning goals

• Improve long jump technique with immediate corrections.
• Prioritize a single technical cue after watching an action.
• Link the feedback received to the change in performance.

Equipment for a class of 25

• measuring tapes: 2
• cones: 10
• worksheets: 30
• rake: 1

Teacher tip

Laminate the cards with a drawing as well as text so they can be read from a distance. If there is no pit, do a standing-style horizontal jump onto a thick mat with a short run-up.

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