KS4 · Physical education · Year 10

High jump

Non-examined assessment: athletics practical

Learn it. Recall it. Make it stick.

IllumED Slides

Download lesson + answers ↓

IllumED · 1/10

Your learning goal

I can perform a Fosbury flop technique to maximise the height I can jump.

1 of 10

High jump: slides adapted from the imported teaching text; recall questions created from its keywords, learning points and common mistakes. Self-check practice, with no automatic grading or XP. Answers stay on this page and are cleared when you leave.

What you’ll learn

I can perform a Fosbury flop technique to maximise the height I can jump.

Key learning points

Move: high jump requires a curved approach to build up speed and momentum.
Move: high jumpers take off from the outside foot by driving their knee and arm nearest the bar up and over.
Think: centrifugal force is generated using a curved run up to generate momentum.
Feel: repeated practice and mental rehearsal builds confidence to execute a powerdul drive almost ignoring the bar.
Connect: supportive feedback to peers on strengths and areas for improvement in jump technique requires sensitivity.

Words to know

approach: the series of steps a jumper takes leading up to the jump
centrifugal force: force that acts outward on a body moving around a curved path
Fosbury flop: technique in which the athlete arches backward over the bar

Common mistakes

Pupils take an approach straight towards the bar which is not conducive to performing the Fosbury flop technique and maximising height jumped.

Pupils should take a curved run up which is J-shaped and will allow them to perform the technique required to gain the most height in their jump. The teacher can guide them to this through the activities.

For parents, carers and teachers

If only one high jump mat, time between attempts can be long. If space and resources allow, consider minimising inactivity by rotating pupils around stations (eg. practicing approach, video analysis, watching video of elite athletes perform) and using an elasticated bar which is adjusted quickly.