The triple jump is one of eight field events competed at the modern Olympics. The triple jump is also known as the "hop, step and jump" or the "hop, skip and jump". This Entry includes details on the rules and methods of the triple jump as well as some history and interesting information.

Rules

There are two parts of the rules for the triple jump. The latter set is identical to those in the long jump - as the final part is in effect a slightly shortened long jump. The first part of the rules pertains to jumping correctly in the approved triple-jump style.

• Jumpers must take off, and their first landing after the board must be on the same foot as they took off with.¹

• Jumpers must then jump² onto their non take-off foot.

• Jumpers must then jump³ off their non take-off foot in the sand pit.⁴

• The jumper will have 40 metres to run in order to build up speed. The runner can place two markers along this run-up, in order to provide indicators to themselves on when to start specific actions for the jump.

• The jumper must take-off from in front of the far edge of the marking board, otherwise the jump is disqualified.

• The distance of the long jump will be measured from the far edge of the marking board to the closest part of the impression made in the sand pit as the jumper lands.

• The long jumper has 90 seconds to complete their jump - since wind affects the distance achieved jumpers will wait for the favourable wind, but they must do so while mindful of the ticking clock.

• There is the standard limitation on sole thickness (19mm for long jump) but no restrictions on spikes.

Method

Unlike the long jump which is relatively simple in theory, the triple jump is obviously more complex, containing the difficulty of the long jump coupled with the additional steps involved in the triple jump. The method therefore includes the following steps: the run-up, the hop and step, the take-off and the landing. Deciding the take off foot is very hard in the triple jump - jumpers have to decide whether they want the hop made with the dominant foot or the jump. For the purposes of this the take off foot will be the right foot.

• The jumper must accelerate to their top speed. Obviously this generally takes longer to do if the jumper is quicker - speed is height, and so sprinters can make great jumpers. The number of steps, which must be an even number, needed to reach full speed increases as the jumper's level increases, but normally takes 6-8 steps.

• The maximum speed is defined as that which the jumper can maintain for the run with an upwards posture, which is necessary for the jump. The remaining steps after accelerating will be done at this speed; at international level 20 steps is common, so that means 12-14 steps taken at maximum pace.

• As the final four steps are taken the posture should shift to be completely upright, with the shins especially becoming perpendicular to the ground, as this is necessary for an effective hop.

• Unlike every other other jumping event the penultimate step is not lengthened - the centre of gravity doesn't need to be altered since the jumper is not jumping but hopping after this step.