T11 Long Jump: The Caller and the Take-Off Zone

Long jump practice using the real mechanics of the T11 class (blind athletes): a caller guides the run-up with voice and claps, and take-off happens in a wide zone instead of off a board. It blends jumping technique, trust and precise communication.

How to play

1. Intro: in T11 the athlete jumps masked, the caller stands in the pit or by the take-off zone, and the jump is measured from where the foot leaves the ground inside a wide zone (3 min).
2. No masks: 6-step run-up and take-off inside a 1 m taped zone, learning to count steps (6 min).
3. Caller in pairs: the caller claps a rhythm and uses one key word for take-off; the jumper runs unmasked, eyes forward, to lock in the rhythm (6 min).
4. Masked jumps with a short 4-step run-up into the pit; the caller adjusts and another partner measures from the take-off footprint (11 min).
5. Comparison: each pair compares masked vs. unmasked marks and notes which caller cue worked (4 min).

Rules

• Masked run-ups are 4 steps max and always toward the pit.
• Rake the pit after every jump; nobody in it except the caller, standing clear of the landing line.
• The caller always uses the same words, no improvising.
• If the jumper hesitates, they stop and restart.

Variations

Adaptations

• Blind or low-vision student: is the reference and picks their own calls; can practice the full run-up with their usual guide.
• Student with knee pain: is the caller and measurer, or does standing jumps.
• Deaf or hard-of-hearing student: no mask, and the caller uses big visual arm signals.

Learning goals

• Take off inside a zone with a steady run-up rhythm.
• Communicate with simple, consistent cues.
• Know the real long jump adaptation in para athletics.

Equipment for a class of 25

• eye masks: 15
• masking tape: 2
• cones: 10
• measuring tape: 2
• rakes: 2

Teacher tip

Without a sand pit, jump onto thick mats from a standing start or two steps only. Check the pit for stones and exposed edges. The caller's usual mistake is talking too much: one word plus claps.

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