Everything Track and Field Discussion Forums

We live in the country with no synthetic approach-surface. We therefore practice on grass but have to compete on Tartan. It makes it particularly difficult to have a constant and fast approach. How do one overcome that?

I'd recommend jump spikes if you don't already have them.... and maybe a less-tight J pattern. Tight J's are really nice, but if you're slipping it's better to compromise by bringing your J a foot or two out from the standards than slip and pull the ligament in your jump foot 2-weeks before state (... not that I did that or anything... *whistles innocently*). Your speed should stay the same, but you'll miss out on the benefits of the tighter J pattern.

On grass, it may actually be better to focus on the end of your approach (3-steps) and over-the-bar technique more than the full approach. Those are the foundation for a good jump anyway and strengthening those elements will make you a better jumper.

Thanks for the reply. My main problem is the fack that my stride-lengh is much longer on Tartan than on grass. It is hard to ''picture'' the approach and takeoff starting from a unfamilliar position. Everything happens a little quicker with a tighter angled approach. It's as if I reach the jump in a shorter time.

Your stride length should not change no matter the surface... unless you're subconsciously being more cautious on the grass because of the possibility of slipping? ... or are your spikes sticking into the grass? Both, maybe?

What you may have to do is develop two familiar start positions-- one for Tartan and one for Grass. Keep your run as consistent as possible, but move your start positions to compensate. If you already have a consistent start position for Tartan, try moving your start position forward one foot-length (your foot, not an actual foot) when you jump on grass... or back one foot-length...

Ultimately, I'd focus more on your approach on grass, rather than your full-approach...

I may not be the best person to give advice on this, though...

Lets just say that jumping or even running approaches on the grass is very dangerous.  Even with spikes.  Unless you have some one inch spikes in your shoes they are going to be pretty ineffective.

As for stride length changing in the grass, well, there is definitely a mental aspect to it because you subconsciously know that it is dangerous.  So as mentioned that will create inconsistencies.  But since grass is not a consistent surface the length of your strides will change.

Grass can be slippery.  One little slip with a step can change the entire approach.

As for trying to resolve this issue between the surfaces, I would say practice being as consistent as possible on the surface you spend the most time.  I am always very hesitant about having multiple approaches or starting points.

Consistency is the key.

Hope this helps.

I am sure that  Jump Coach is right about the mental aspect of running on grass. I know that I am scared of slipping therefor I dont reach the speed I do on Tartan. The concequence is that I do the whole jump ''faster'' in competitions. The result is mostly much better as on grass but on occasion I just can not get my rythm right. Will it help to just use a short fast approach while practising.

The best thing to do is pick one approach whether short or long and stick to that one. Your body will get confused if you go back and forth between the two. As you progress with that one approach and it becomes consistent you may feel that you need a little bit more out of it. That is when you change it. But only very slightly. As you get stronger and faster, your approach will automatically get longer To be great at the high jump you have to be consistent!

Is there an all weather track where you live? Pull the pits on the track so you can run your approach and jump using the track surface.

Can you move the pit into the gymnasium? With a tennis shoe with a washed (and thoroughly dried) sole,and a squeaky clean gym floor, you can do anything you can do on the best of track surfaces. There is even a product on the market that you sprinkle on the gym floor (just in front of the broom) that picks up dust so well that your tennis shoes squeak on the floor.

Bigger, stronger jumpers will probably need a heal cup to protect against heal bruises when jumping off a gym floor, but grade-school kids probably don't need the heal cup. (doesn't preclude you watching out for heal bruises)