Wide Takeoff Zone: Measure from Your Real Foot

A short-approach long jump where the takeoff board is replaced by a 1-meter zone and each jump is measured from the actual takeoff footprint. Students see how many inches they lose by taking off too far back and learn to adjust their approach.

How to play

1. Set up two landing areas with crash mats pushed together and a 1-meter takeoff zone chalked 50 cm in front of the mats (3 min).
2. Each student paces out a seven-step approach back from the zone and marks it with a cone (3 min).
3. Round one, three jumps: one partner marks where the foot landed in the zone and another measures from that point to the landing mark (7 min).
4. Each student works out the average distance lost compared with the front edge of the zone and moves the cone (4 min).
5. Round two, three jumps with the adjusted approach, then compare both rounds (8 min).

Rules

• Always land on both feet with bent knees, never hands first.
• Check the mats after every jump so they don't slide apart.
• The approach is seven steps at most.
• Only one student jumps per area, and the next waits until the mat is clear.

Variations

Adaptations

• Visual impairment: a partner claps at the takeoff moment and the approach is cut to three steps.
• Overweight: jumps from a three-step approach and lands feet first on the mat.
• Knee injury: acts as takeoff judge and measurer.

Learning goals

• Adjust the approach to take off close to the optimal spot.
• Measure and analyze the distance lost through an inaccurate takeoff.
• Improve landing technique in the long jump.

Equipment for a class of 25

• crash mats: 4
• chalk: 2
• tape measure: 2
• cones: 28

Teacher tip

If your school has a sand pit, use it and mark the zone with tape. In the gym, push the mats against a wall so they don't slide.

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