Elitetrack: Sport Training & Conditioning

Does anyone on here use a high jump ramp in practices? I have thought about starting to use them in order for my athletes and myself to get some looks at higher heights but I looked them up and found that they were almost 600 dollars a pop! Does anyone have one? I am looking for dimensions of a ramp about 6 to 8 inches high so that I might possibly build one myself instead of paying out the nose for one.

This is the kind of ramp I am talking about.
http://www.everythingtrackandfield.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product2_10152_10753_2004491_-1_2000221_2000193_2000192_2000192_ProductDisplayErrorView

does it need to be a ramp? surely it’s only gonna be the last stride (take-off foot) that hits the ramp anyway so could you not just use a box/platform instead. would be miles easier to construct

Matt Morsia - 13 January 2012 04:50 AM

does it need to be a ramp? surely it’s only gonna be the last stride (take-off foot) that hits the ramp anyway so could you not just use a box/platform instead. would be miles easier to construct

^^ This.  We always used a heavy wooden box with a rubber surface on top.  Worked very well. I like what it does for confidence and also getting in habit of a quicker last step.

Matt Morsia - 13 January 2012 04:50 AM

does it need to be a ramp? surely it’s only gonna be the last stride (take-off foot) that hits the ramp anyway so could you not just use a box/platform instead. would be miles easier to construct

Boxes are easier to construct but I remember a wise man once showed me why ramps are superior.

Watch the foot strike on a box jump as opposed to a ramp. With a ramp, you can teach the athlete to strike heel first. With a box, the athlete is more inclined to strike with the toe down.

You can build one with one sheet of plywood and some some 2 x 4s.

The dimensions for MF ramp are 48” x 29” x 7.5”. I’ve been meaning to make one but I haven’t gotten around to it. I saw a great homemade one at Dartmouth College once; wish I had taken a picture. They used some 2x6s, furring strips, and plywood.