Doing the NAPFA Standing Broad Jump

I was the tester for the Standing Broad Jump station for the past 2 days for the upper Sec's test, and looking at so many of them not being able to pass after 3-4 years of doing it in Secondary school makes me really concerned. Girls who can't pass it are usually not active enough, and boys who fail will have to suffer in the future during NS for the next 20+ years of their life unless they learn to do it properly one day.

I used to take videos of students doing the jump so that I can tell them what they need to improve on, and also got them to film me in action so that they can see what they need to do right. I should have wrote this long ago to teach more people how to jump properly, but I guess better late than never!

Step 1 - Good Swing

Both arms above the head, start a full swing of the arms. Arms must be straightened!

Step 2 - Ready stance

Ready to jump - One swing is enough to get going! If you swing real hard, your straight arms will go all the way back, and your body will naturally bend at the hips, ready to plunge forward like a swimmer into a pool. Legs at slightly bent, ready to spring.

Step 3 - Take Off

Arms swing back forward, legs bent and ready to spring whole body up. Foot on tip-toes, ready to push off. You cannot jump now! Wait till the arms go out first.

Airborne! If your swing is very strong, your whole body will be pulled forward when the arms swing out, and that's when you straighten your legs and jump off. Notiec the whole body is flying at a 45degree angle - the best angle for maximum distance!

Stage 4 - Landing

To get maximum distance, swing your legs straight forward from the hips when you are in the air - do not kick your legs behind when you jump, otherwise you cannot do this! Notice the legs are now far in front of the body, and the body will bend forward for balance; you'll look like a kangeroo. Many poor jumpers will land here, standing upright, instead of swinging the legs forward for greater distance.

Preparing for landing...body tucked forward to prevent falling backwards.

You should land squatting down, and if you need to press your hands in front for support.