Triple Jump: Choose Your Takeoff Board
A triple jump contest in the sand pit with three takeoff boards marked at different distances: each student picks which one to jump from and scores more the farther the board is, as long as they reach the sand. Students work on the hop-step-jump rhythm and on judging their own level.
How to play
- Mark three takeoff boards with chalk and cones at about 16, 23, and 30 ft from the pit (or mats in a row if there is no pit); use an 8–10 step approach.
- Groups of 5 per pit: a jumper, two judges for the board and landing, one raker, and one scorekeeper; rotate after every jump.
- Practice round (5 min): everyone takes 2 jumps from the 16-ft board, remembering the rhythm: takeoff foot, same foot, other foot, two-foot landing.
- Scoring round (12 min): before each of their 3 jumps, students choose a board; landing in the sand scores 1, 2, or 3 points depending on the board.
- A jump that doesn't reach the sand or breaks the foot pattern scores 0, and the judge explains what happened.
- Final (5 min): one extra jump to try moving up a board; the group totals points, and the top scorer without fouls wins.
Rules
- No one crosses the runway while someone is running; wait off to the side.
- Rake and check the sand before every jump; with no pit, mats are pushed together with no gaps.
- Always land on two feet facing forward, never falling backward onto the hands.
- Each student picks their own board: nobody is pressured to jump from farther back.
Variations
Easier
Boards at 10, 13, and 16 ft with a 4–6 step approach.
Standard
Boards at 16, 23, and 30 ft with an 8–10 step approach.
Harder
Add a fourth board at 36 ft, and the judge calls a foul if the step phase is too short.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student does a walking hop-step-jump pattern with support and scores for keeping the foot rhythm.
- Visual impairment: a partner claps the hop-step-jump rhythm and calls out at the board.
- Lower skill: the student may do a standing triple jump from the 16-ft board.
Learning goals
- Perform the triple jump rhythm while keeping speed.
- Choose a challenge that matches one's own level.
- Judge whether a jump is legal using clear criteria.
Equipment for a class of 25
- sand pits: 2
- cones: 12
- chalk: 4
- rakes: 2
Teacher tip
Check that the pit is free of objects and the sand is dug up at least 8 inches. The classic mistake is a first hop that is too high and kills speed: cue a long, low hop.
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