Elitetrack: Sport Training & Conditioning

I am venturing down to Ames, IA to hear Mr. Pfaff this weekend and I will give you the 411 when I return.

This was the first time I have ever heard Pfaff and it was very good to say the least. Here are some of the basics for the high jump that Dan covered:

1. The mode of starting has huge influence in step accuracy. He was very adamant about keeping the first step of the approach very simple and easily replicatable. He went on a rant about the "divas and entertainers" of the high jump that screw up many minds when it comes to an effective approach.

2. He said "error detect" during the meet numerous times. Wouldn't it be great to be able to "error detect" like Dan Pfaff?!

3. Once the high jumper enters the curve he should be in an upright sprinting position.

4. One of the most common "approach cancer" is the "sharp turn towards the bar" when begining the curve.

5. Each jumper should find the maximum rate of speed that he can handle at take-off. Pfaff showed footage of Boswell to demonstrate a speed approach.

6. The take-off foot must be placed tangent to the curve created during the last three steps.  Boswell consistently violated this rule and cannot walk without a cane as a result.

hscoach - 10 December 2007 05:54 PM

This was the first time I have ever heard Pfaff and it was very good to say the least. Here are some of the basics for the high jump that Dan covered:

1. The mode of starting has huge influence in step accuracy. He was very adamant about keeping the first step of the approach very simple and easily replicatable. He went on a rant about the "divas and entertainers" of the high jump that screw up many minds when it comes to an effective approach.

2. He said "error detect" during the meet numerous times. Wouldn't it be great to be able to "error detect" like Dan Pfaff?!

3. Once the high jumper enters the curve he should be in an upright sprinting position.

4. One of the most common "approach cancer" is the "sharp turn towards the bar" when begining the curve.

5. Each jumper should find the maximum rate of speed that he can handle at take-off. Pfaff showed footage of Boswell to demonstrate a speed approach.

6. The take-off foot must be placed tangent to the curve created during the last three steps.  Boswell consistently violated this rule and cannot walk without a cane as a result.

1. "divas and entertainers" - Europeans and Russians! They do jump well though. You could compare it to MLB players batting stances.

2. I guess you have to know what to look for.

3. uhhhh….. I dont know if I understand what you mean. Pressure should be applied to the curve to create a lean for max. controllable velocity at takeoff.

4. see above. The curve could start as far out as 30 - 32 feet depending on the athlete and speed of the approach.

5. see 3 and 4

6. If I recall correctly, Boswell took off very close to the bar, and at those speeds it will reak havoc on your takeoff ankle. Watch video of Holm and notice how far out he takes off.

I doubt he was talking about europeans and russians.  More than likely it's the people who have cute first step routines like most americans.  Most europeans and russians only celebrate after clearing the height. 

danimal9 - 11 December 2007 09:14 PM

I doubt he was talking about europeans and russians.  More than likely it's the people who have cute first step routines like most americans.  Most europeans and russians only celebrate after clearing the height. 

Dan likes a rather simple approach because he feels it's more repeatable from jump to jump and under every condition.  I expect what he was referring to by 'divas and entertainers' is approaches with walk-ins, skips in the middle, bounding steps then a normal run etc.

Lumber, yes. Dan is referring to a stationary first step that can be repeated accurately.

Dan, the cute first step routines originate from who I mentioned. I've trained with quite a few eastern euro's and they are the royalty of "cute" approaches!