I seem to have a difficult time doing LJ and TJ in the same meet, particularly going from LJ to TJ. I seem to be thinking in terms of LJ still when I go to compete in the TJ(mostly in being relaxed and running off the board).
What can I do to make sure that I can do both the TJ and LJ well? How can I seperate those mentally?
It depends on what your error is at the board.
One common error is lowering on your penultimate (second last) step in the triple and going too high in the hop. Sometimes a focus on the sound of your steps coming in to the board can help. In the long jump you will hear a quickening in the last two strides, while the TJ should no pronounced lowering in the second last step and the rythmn will be more even. LJ might sound like TA — TA — TA – ta – TA, while triple jump would be TA — TA — TA — TA — TA. Sometimes sounding it out in your head and visualizing it as you are getting ready to start your approach, or even sounding it out in your head as you are running can help. I’ve had some success with alternating between the two types of takeoffs during a full approach practice so they learn how to differentiate the two.
Another common TJ error is sticking your foot out too far at the board and pulling the board. In a triple jump takeoff you should land on the board with the foot flat and the shin vertical, wait and roll to the ball of your foot then push out horizontally. If you tend to stick your foot out alot and block in your long jump takeoffs you might have to visualize how the two are different.
