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Physical Education

High Jump Technique

Overview

Students practise the approach, take-off, and landing for high jump using a safe low barrier.

Learning Objective
Students develop jumping technique and learn the principles of clearing a raised bar.

Resources needed

  • Two upright sticks or posts
  • Rope, elastic, or stick as the bar
  • Soft landing area (grass or mat)

Lesson stages

0 / 7 done
  1. 1 Set the bar very low — ankle height.
  2. 2 Students run up and jump over, landing on two feet.
  3. 3 Teach the curved approach: run in a slight curve to the bar.
  4. 4 Focus on the take-off foot — push hard from one foot.
  5. 5 Raise the bar gradually as technique improves.
  6. 6 Practise the scissor kick technique — lead leg swings up first.
  7. 7 Students set a personal challenge height.

Tap a step to mark it as done.

Variations

  • Scissor kick only — no Fosbury flop to reduce landing risk.
  • Standing jump over the bar from directly in front.
  • Long jump approach comparison — which run-up gives more height?
More information

Teach: approach, take-off, scissor, clear, land. Demonstrate the curved approach and scissor kick slowly before students try.

Keep the bar very low. Focus on approach and take-off technique rather than height cleared.

Are students using a curved approach? Do they push hard from the take-off foot rather than just running into the bar?

Two sticks in the ground and a piece of rope or elastic make a free high jump bar. Grass provides a soft landing area.

Students run straight at the bar. The curved approach generates rotational momentum that helps clear the bar — demonstrate this clearly.

Scissor kick technique is safe and effective for school PE. The Fosbury flop requires a crash mat and is not appropriate without one.

Activity details
Secondary Medium 25 minutes 10 minutes prep Whole Class, Small Group Outdoor
Topics
Jumping Athletics Technique