Long Jump

The long jump is an athletic event that is used as part of the track and field competitions. Formerly called "broad jump", the athletes try to jump as far as they can from one specific take-off point. This event uses a combination of speed, strength and agility

The athletes run or sprint down the long jump runway and jump as far as they can off of a wooden board into a gravel or sand-filled pit. The spot where the jumper makes a mark in the sand is recorded as his "mark". The athlete that jumps the farthest is considered the winner. If either of them put any part of their foot in front of the board, they are disqualified.
You can also get long jump training from coaches and professional athletes that teach the sport. You will be given the long jump drills as part of your long jump training to help you improve you jump. If you watch the video or read up on the sport, you can get free training on long jumping.

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Being successful at the long jump is not something that happens overnight. It may take years of long jump training to excel at the event. If you purchase a long jump video, you may get some long jump techniques on how to be a better long jumper. Many jumpers feel that wearing specific long jump shoes will help them jump better. Nike long jump shoes are very popular amongst long jumpers.

The history of the long jump began in Ancient Greece. The athletes would carry weights they called halteres, with one in each hand. As the athlete would jump, he would swing the weights forward in order to increase momentum. They would then throw them backwards while in mid air. The long jump has been in Olympic competition since the Games began in 1896. In 1928, women were allowed to compete in the long jump at the Olympic level.

Mike Powell of the United States set the current world record long jump in 1991 with 8.95. Galina Chistyakova set the long jump world record for the Olympic women's long jump in 1988 with 7.52. The Jesse Owens long jump record that was set in 1935 was not broken until 1960. Representing the United States with the long jump in 1991 was Carl Lewis. His long jump record was 8.87 Almost every year there is a new long jump record set.