Comparison of elite Athlete and junior training Athlete

Using the comparison of an elite athlete and a training junior athlete allows us to see the difference in optimal technique. How the phases can be altered to assist the junior athlete to develop their phases and become optimal in their performance technique can occur.

                                       (Christian Taylor Triple Jump Training, 2016)

Christian Taylor - Taylor uses a unique technique, specifically developed for him to achieve the perfect triple jump through each phase and landing, allowing him to execute the jump. Taylor uses a strong approach/drive, long strides and a powerful body trajectory to hurl himself across the line and into the pit to assist him in this execution.

                                 (NSW Little Athletics State Championships, 2010)

By viewing the young under 13 triple jump competitor, we can visually see that the biomechanics principals are beginning to be developed and used but they have not reached a peak to achieve the optimal biomechanical phase. Age is a factor needing be considered in the comparison first, Christian Taylor is 25 and the competitor here is between the ages of 11-13, still developing. As for phase technique; the approach/drive phase is not visible at the beginning of the footage however we can assume a similar stride is used to the athletes but a smaller interpretation of the professional model of the phase. As for the running part of the phase, we view a small moment of the athlete using their hands and arms pushing power forward and continuing the momentum of the beginning stride (Eissa, 2014). Entering the hop phase, Taylor clearly uses a higher amount of body trajectory to gain his momentum. The junior athlete is of slim build. This can affect the amount of body trajectory used as when he is in the hop phase, he does not carry as much momentum through his body in the air. Professional athletes carry quite a bit of body mass in their lower trunk, contributing to the amount of force carrying them forward (Eissa, 2014). Another contributing factor is the maximum speed achieved during the approach/drive phase. We cannot calculate if the athletes speed at this time in the videos or the lack of force. These two factors are important as the amount of force the athlete applies to the ground will propel them upwards in momentum (Eissa, 2014). Landing the hop phase and moving into the skip phase, the athletes foot must touch the ground using the ball of the foot. In Taylor's video this is evident and precisely timed to minimise the amount of force lost to the ground when the step is completed. The junior athlete's step phase looks quite flat footed and short in distance. Loosing distance means overall momentum is lost affecting the following phase. It can be presumed that the junior athletes timing of the skip phase would not be perfectly timed at this point in training. Triple jump is crucially dependent of the timing of foot to ground contact (Eissa, 2014). The jump phase is dependent on the speed and momentum of the phases before. Taylor has carried his speed through each phase and travelled a great distance. Taylor approaches the jump phase using his arms for further momentum by swinging them upwards as he jumps. This double arm swing raises the centre of mass which allows for an increase in kinetic energy at each take off (Allen, King & Yeadon, 2010). When Taylor leaves the floor for a final time his knees pull in towards his body, remaining upwards. When the landing phase begins to occur, Taylor swings his arms backwards in a rowing motion and his legs push back out to land. To complete the landing, Taylor propels his body towards his feet in a sliding motion. The junior Athlete approaches the jump phase with less momentum as discussed in the skip phase. The junior Athlete doesn't execute the vertical height in his arm swing. His arms swing forwards but not upwards enough to carry his body forward further. The junior athletes knees are tucked up but as his body is not vertically up, the knees do not move as high shortening momentum again (Eissa, 2014). During the landing phase the arms do not swing as far backwards, the rowing motion is not as evident. The legs do not extend out to land but catch the athlete under. Due to the lack of momentum the junior athlete has no room to propel forward and create a further distance, instead he stops short. Triple jump is a technical and timing based skill. Without the combination of each phase executed effiecntly and momentum transferred through each phase, the triple jump would not be completed correctly (Eissa 2014).