Q&A for How to High Jump (Track and Field)

Scissor-kicking is an acceptable technique. However, it is normally used for lower heights. So, it's okay if you don't do it now, but to be better, it's recommend that you start learning this method.

I would focus on things like lunges and calf stretches since you'll use those muscles a lot when high jumping.

Swing your arms upwards during your lift, this will add momentum. Crouch on your jumping leg slightly, and try boosting upwards. To twist and arc, start the twist immediately, and save the bend for when you think (or know) the bar has reached below your shoulder.

A stretch that might come in handy is doing a backbend or a bridge before jumping. Consider asking a coach or an experienced jumper for more exercises and stretches

You can do a 1-2-3 count. Non-dominant foot first, 1,2,3 ...1,2,3 ...1,2,3 jump. Go to the bar and start from where you want your foot to be on your jump. Then do this process backward while curving to find your starting point. Jump and adjust.

To make the school track team, you will need to work hard and have confidence in yourself. Practice every day, and do not compare yourself to others.

If you are younger, the bar will be lowered, but the exact height is impossible to determine as it may vary by individual instances.

Bend your knees for leverage to get over the bar. You can't jump with locked knees, right?

You power your arms up when you are driving your knee up. They shouldn't be near the bar.

To know where you take off/start running from when you run to do your jump.

To overcome fears while jumping, it's best to start with a very low height that you feel comfortable jumping, and then moving the height up centimeter by centimeter until you can clear the next standard height.

Just remember, after your hips are clear, kick your legs up and you should be fine.

You may slow down because of a fear of the bar. You may be curving at too steep of an angle as well. Try changing the width and curve of your approach, and practice getting more comfortable with the bar to relieve any hesitations or anxieties.

Try running from where you would jump and pace it out in the "J-shape." Most coaches would recommend 7 - 9 steps, but it really is about personal comfort.

Hurdles, long jump, triple jump, and many others. If you think your legs provide power in speed rather than jump height, try sprint events.

No, it is not. It is the height from the ground to the top of the pole. This is because you are jumping over the top of the pole.

Any age! As long as you can run and jump you're able to practice high jump.

If this article doesn't help you, it may be best to look up an instructional video online on how to do it.

Do stretches like lunges, squats, and other dynamic exercises that will help build your body for jumping. As for technique unless you have the equipment, there isn't much you can do in your back yard. However, you can always practice the lift off part of the jump by driving up the leg that would be close to the mat and driving up your arms as well. I suggest on your own time build your strength and flexibility and then learn technique at a track.

Keep practicing with a lower bar until you build your strength and skills.

Yes, it can be. You will get better as you get older, because you will have had more practice and experience.

If your school has a track and field team, absolutely!

You know your form is good when you are clearing the bar the first or second time and getting really high.

Each jumper gets three attempts.

You can do high skips. Another one to do is line your feet parallel to the mat, arch your back and touch your shoulders, and come back up. That one takes a while to learn, but it helps a lot in the long run.

Use a trampoline, you're not going to do it with your natural ability. Stefan Holm is 5'11". He jumped 2.40m (7-10 1/2).

Both. Looking at it will tell you we're it is. Looking over it will help you aim higher and clear it better.

Swing your arms upwards during your lift, this will add momentum. Crouch on your jumping leg slightly, and try boosting upwards. To twist and arc, start the twist immediately, and save the bend for when you think (or know) the bar has reached below your shoulder.

It is possible that you might be taking off too close to the bar, so you don't have enough time to get your full body over.

It does not matter if you are right handed or left handed, as long as you feel comfortable when you jump. So, it's likely just that your body as a whole prefers the left approach and you are doing the right thing to go with this.