The Jumps Decathlon #BattleOfTheBounds

The Jumps Decathlon was made popular by Malcolm Arnold’s 1987 book Long jump.  Here are the 10 events you can do in any order.

For each event allow three successful attempts recording the best distance/time.  For single leg left or right leg take off, alternate legs and take the best jump.  Some say take the average of the two.  It’s up to you.

1. Standing Long jump
2. Standing Triple jump
3. 2 hops, step and jump
4. 2 hops, 2 steps and jump
5. 2 hops, 2 steps and 2 jumps
6. 5 spring jumps (Bunny hops)
7. Standing 4 hops and jump
8. Running 4 hops and jump
9. 25 metre hop for time
10. 5 stride long jump

The Jumps Decathlon Rules

Standing Long Jump

Place feet over the edge of the sandpit. The athlete crouches, leans forward, swings their arms backwards, the jumps horizontally as far as possible, jumping with both feet into the sandpit. Measure from the edge of the sandpit to the nearest point of contact. The start of the jump must be from a static position.

Plenty of articles and videos on this jump!  Start with this article The Importance of the Standing Long Jump and watch Byron Jones Standing Long Jump World Record Video.

Extra Resources:

• Biomechanical analysis of the Standing Long Jump (PDF)
• Role of arm motion in the standing long jump (PDF)

Standing Triple jump

Take off foot to remain in flat contact with the ground and free swinging of the non contact leg can be used

A good article to read is Nigel Lewis’ The Importance of the Standing Triple Jump from 2010.

2 hops, step and jump

As per Standing Triple jump rules.

2 hops, 2 steps and jump

As per Standing Triple jump rules.

2 hops, 2 steps and 2 jumps

The second jump is a two footed take off

5 spring jumps (Bunny hops)

5 successive two footed bounds (bunny hops) with the feet kept together in a continuous movement

Standing 4 hops and a jump

As per Stranding Triple jump – repeat test for each leg and record the mean distance

Running 4 hops and jump

Length of run unlimited – repeat test for each leg and record the mean distance

25 metre hop

Start from a standing position – repeat test for each leg and record the time.

5 stride long jump

Normal long jump rules apply, though my standard test has always been 7 stride approach.

The Jumps Decathlon Tables

Download the MS Excel version here: Jumps_Decathlon_Scoring_Tables

Or the PDF version here: Jumps_Decathlon_Scoring_Tables_1

Page 2 of the PDF: Jumps_Decathlon_Scoring_Tables_2