Straddle technique
Encyclopedia
The straddle technique was the dominant style in the High Jump before the development of the Fosbury Flop
. One version is called the western roll.
Unlike the scissors jump where the jumpers face forwards when jumping or the flop where they face upwards, in the straddle they face down as they roll over the bar.
There existed two variants of the straddle: the parallel straddle and a more diving version. With the parallel straddle, head and trunk passed the bar at the same time; John Thomas
(silver medal at the 1964 Olympics) used this technique. Valeriy Brumel
(gold in 1964) dove a little bit, his head going over the bar before his trunk.
The last world record jump with the straddle technique was Vladimir Yashtshenko's 2.34 metre in 1978.
(The best result was 2.35 metre obtained in Milan at the 1978 European Athletics Indoor Championships).
That was improved upon in 1980 by a flopper, Jacek Wszola
of Poland.
All of the subsequent record holders have used the Fosbury Flop, which Dick Fosbury used in his 7'4" win in Mexico City in 1968.
There is some debate over which of the two techniques is more efficient in clearing of the bar. Although both have advantages and disadvantages, the Fosbury flop is considered by many easier to learn, especially for younger jumpers, and thus has become the dominant technique.
In 1993, an American high jumper Steve Harkins brought back the Straddle style in the Master's [over-40] division to break the Master's World Record and then went on to beat a 'flopper' at the World Championships in Miyazaki Japan. Harkins used the 'head down first' style as did Brumel. At 6'7" at the U.S. National Championships in Bozeman, Montana; in March 1993, Harkins will be remembered as the highest jumper ever in the Master's to have used the straddle style.
Fosbury Flop
The Fosbury Flop is a style used in the athletics event of high jump. It was popularized and perfected by American athlete Dick Fosbury, whose gold medal in the 1968 Summer Olympics brought it to the world's attention...
. One version is called the western roll.
Unlike the scissors jump where the jumpers face forwards when jumping or the flop where they face upwards, in the straddle they face down as they roll over the bar.
There existed two variants of the straddle: the parallel straddle and a more diving version. With the parallel straddle, head and trunk passed the bar at the same time; John Thomas
John Thomas (high jumper)
John Curtis Thomas is an American track and field athlete who set several world records in the high jump using the straddle technique. At the age of 17, while a freshman at Boston University, Thomas became the first man to clear 7 feet indoors...
(silver medal at the 1964 Olympics) used this technique. Valeriy Brumel
Valeriy Brumel
Valeriy Nikolayevich Brumel , 14 April 1942 – 26 January 2003) was a Soviet Olympic athlete. The 1964 Olympic champion in the Men's High Jump, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes ever to compete in the High Jump, second only to current world record holder Javier Sotomayor of...
(gold in 1964) dove a little bit, his head going over the bar before his trunk.
The last world record jump with the straddle technique was Vladimir Yashtshenko's 2.34 metre in 1978.
(The best result was 2.35 metre obtained in Milan at the 1978 European Athletics Indoor Championships).
That was improved upon in 1980 by a flopper, Jacek Wszola
Jacek Wszola
Jacek Wszoła is a Polish gold and silver Olympic medalist in high jump.Jacek Wszoła is the most famous Polish high jumper. He took part in two Olympic Games: in Montreal 1976 and in Moscow 1980. In Montreal he was a big surprise when, competing in heavy rain, he struggled to win over the favourites...
of Poland.
All of the subsequent record holders have used the Fosbury Flop, which Dick Fosbury used in his 7'4" win in Mexico City in 1968.
There is some debate over which of the two techniques is more efficient in clearing of the bar. Although both have advantages and disadvantages, the Fosbury flop is considered by many easier to learn, especially for younger jumpers, and thus has become the dominant technique.
In 1993, an American high jumper Steve Harkins brought back the Straddle style in the Master's [over-40] division to break the Master's World Record and then went on to beat a 'flopper' at the World Championships in Miyazaki Japan. Harkins used the 'head down first' style as did Brumel. At 6'7" at the U.S. National Championships in Bozeman, Montana; in March 1993, Harkins will be remembered as the highest jumper ever in the Master's to have used the straddle style.
See also
- George HorineGeorge HorineGeorge Leslie Horine was an American athlete who mainly competed in the high jump.He was born in Escondido, California and died in Modesto, California....
- Harold OsbornHarold OsbornHarold Marion Osborn was a U.S. track athlete. He won a gold medal in Olympic decathlon and high jump in 1924....