Elitetrack: Sport Training & Conditioning

I have a very explosive h.s. jumper who cannot relax over the bar and comes out of his layout before or right at the bar.  He always has the heigth to clear he just is not patient enough to let his hips clear (he also jerks very quickly when coming out).  Are there any drills out there or is this something I just needed to keep preaching until he figures it out himself?

sounds like me i jumped 2.10 sitting over the bar hahahaha. 

Serious now what actually works for me is somewhat unconventional, but hey whatever works right.  i do back flips on the mats where i jump up and hold my arch until i complete the rotation and land on my stomach.  this helped my learn that it takes some time to complete the rotation and therefore timing can be learned this way.

I don't know if you should try this exercise though as it is kinda dangerous, but its your choice.

While most of the rotation during flight is generated by what happens at takeoff there are definitely times when drills like what Flash mentioned are effective. I've used that, cueing the athlete to see the back opposite-side corner of the mat, and also squeezing the cheeks to enhance the arch slightly.

Thanks guys! This kid actually went to his first meet of the season last week and PR'ed by 4in.  I do not know how, but he was very patient and cleared 6'2.  I would guess he was a little more focused! 

Why do some people say to look at the back corner and some people say to look straight behind? I would think it would be easier to look straight behind because then it's easier to keep the hips horizontal instead of going over kind of twisted and hitting the bar with your side.

That said, I have the same problem of kicking too early when I am clearly over the bar and knocking it off with my butt. I will try to focus on looking straight down at the mat for as long as possible, and focus on tilting my body until it feels like my upper body is pointing straight toward the mat, (even though it might not be) and then snapping the head and kicking at the same time. I'll see how it works.

Mike, are you saying that how much i arch over the bar can be attributed to my approach and takeoff, or that it will be easier to get that back-flipping motion that will keep the hips and thighs higher up?

After going 6'2, my guy failed at an opening height of 5'7 the next week.  Again, same problem!  I started standing at the back corner of the mat and holding a number up for him to look during practice.  I would not call him smooth yet, but we are getting better.

Heels together-knees apart, arms in at the sides.
But look at posture entering the plant to adjust takeoff, to correct resultant flight.
All the "arch coaching" in the world wont address why he cant arch or hold one, if he is poor into plant and off the ground.
Also, DONT say "get / keep your hips up"
The only available force is not one of pushing against anything but of working with gravity.  Drop the head and lower heels (going with the flow so to speak) using gravity, is more appropriate to suggest here…

My two cents from your description would be to watch that the penultimate step has stayed on the curve and not stepped out and hence there is a lean away. If they step out, lean disappears, take off occurs, but will try to get on back to soon.