High Jump is a field event in which men and women compete. It is performed in different competitions including the Olympics. The objective is to jump as high as possible and clear the bar.
Techniques
The most popular technique used nowadays is the Fosbury Flop, invented by the Olympic champion Dick Fosbury in 1968.
This method begins with a straight run to build up as much speed as possible. Then, athletes curve their run towards the centre of the bar (lowest point). The speed of the approach varies from athlete to athlete however the smaller the athlete, the faster the run - up.
On the second to last stride, athletes lower their hips and move their arms backwards behind their body. As the take - off foot touches the ground the athletes body should be angled away from the bar. The free leg is driven upwards and often reaches a 90 degrees angle, which ensures that the athletes body rotates towards the bar.
Athletes then swing their arms forwrds and upwards with the shoulder of the arm closest to the bar kept as high as possible.The athletes arch their back and during the clearance of the bar the free leg drops slightly.
As soon as the hips have cleared the bar, the athlete brings their legs over the bar and land naturally on their back. This technique requires absolute precision and some common mistakes are jumping slightly too early or over arching your back.
The other three techniques are the Scissors, the Eastern Cut Off and the Western Roll.
The Scissors begins with the approach being in a straight line at 30 - 50 degrees to the bar, jumping the lowest point (usually the centre). The run - up is not a sprint.
At the take - off the drive leg is held straight and swung into the air to clear the bar. Athletes tend to land on their feet during this technique, therefore sand or a soft mat is provided as a landing area.
The approach in the Eastern cut - off technique is the same as the scissors jump. At take - off the leg nearer the bar is swung into the air and as the hips rise the athlete lies back facing upwards. The take - off leg has to be swung up to the bar and during take - off, athletes have to drive their arms into the air to create more momentum.
Foam matting is provided for landing which prevents injury to the athletes back or neck.
The Western roll is a well known version of the straddle jump. The Western roll is a technique in which a roll style jump is used. One leg is swung up first, followed by the body of the athlete. In this technique the bar passes underneath the athletes body.
Records
Men
Olympic Record - Charles Austin of the USA jumped 2.39m on 28th July 1996
There is not a huge amount of equipment used in high jump. The equipment is quite simply -
1 Bar
2 Posts
1 Landing mat
Athletes often wear spring shoes. These shoes are similar to ordinary running spikes except they have thicker soles.
Rules of Competition
Jumpers must take - off on one foot
A successful jump must not move the bar from it's original position
Competitors may begin jumping at any height announced by the chief judge, and can pass at any height as well. Three consecutive missed jumps, at any height or combination of heights, will eliminate the jumper from competition
The victory goes to the jumper who clears the greatest height during the final
The tie breakers are - the fewest misses at the height at which the tie occurred and the fewest mises throughout the competition
If the event remains tied, the jumpers have a jump - off, beginning at the next highest height, and each jumper has one attempt
Athletics Governing Body
The IAAF is the governing bosy for both track and field athletic events. It is essential that members of the IAAF abide by the rules and regulations. The IAAF is one of the biggest and most known governing bodies in sport.
History
The first event recorded for high jump was in the 19th Century in Scotland. The two techniques commonly used were the scissors jump or straight on. The standing high jump competition was from 1900 to 1912. Raw Erwy was the best standing high jumper as he set many World records. Other than the athlete jumping from a stationery position with their feet together, it is not much different from the Fosbury Flop technique.
Trampolining is a competitive olympic sport in which gymnasts perform acrobatics while bouncing on a trampoline.
Moves
In competitions, moves should be performed in one of the three basic shapes -
Tucked -
with knees clasped to chest by hands
Piked -
with hands touching close to feet and both arms and legs straight
Straight -
straight posture throughout body
Pike Position
A fourth basic shape, is known as puck because it is a mix of pike and tuck, and is often used in multiple twisting somersaults.
A straddle is a variant of a pike with arms and legs spread wide and is not used in somersaults, only jumps.
The slightly more complicated moves are the front and back somersaults. In this move you perform a front/back flip in the air and land with your body vertical with your feet landing on the trampoline bed.
The most advanced moves are -
Barani
This move is like a somersault. The only difference is you twist your body as you perform the flip.
Double somersault
This move can be performed backwards or forwards. You perform a flip in the air two times and again, land with your body vertical.
One and three
In this move you perform a one and three quarter front somersault landing on your back.
Two and three
This move is almost the same as the one and three move, however you perform a two and three quarter front somersault instead.
Randy
In this move you perform a two and a half front somersault while your body is twisting.
Back In Full
In this move you perform a double back somersault with a full twist of the body only on the second somersault.
Full, Full
In this move you perform a double back somersault with a full twist of the body on both somersaults, rather than only on the second.
The currently accepted basic format for individual trampoline competitions usually consists of two or three routines.
In synchronized trampolining, two athletes perform exactly the same routine of ten skills at the same time on two trampolines situated next to eachother.
A double - mini trampoline has a sloped end and a flat bed. The gymnasts run up and jump on to the sloping end and then jump on to the flat part before landing on to a mat. Skills are performed during the jumps or as they land.
Trampolining in the Olympics
The Olympic games in 2000 was the first ever time in which trampolining was performed at any olympics. Russian gymnast Irina Karavaeva won the first gold medal in this event. Oxana Tsyhuleva took silver and Karen Cockburn took bronze.
Irana Karavaeva
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Judges
Each move is worth 1 mark from each judge. Each form judge can deduct between 0 and 0.5 marks for each move. A zero deduction represents a perfect move (e.g. well executed), and a 0.5 deduction is not wanted at all. Extra deductions can be made by the superior judge for errors such as touching the frame pads, communicating with the coach, repeating a move etc.
Judges are looking for these main things -
Consistency of height: keping up the same height throughout form and control.
Form: is concerned with the neatness of the move which is the performed shape held correctly, and that there are clear phases to the move etc.
Control is reflected in how well centred the moves are such as whether the trampolinist lands on the cross every time.
Governing Body
The Federation International Gymnastique which is also known as FIG, represents gymnastics in all forms. The FIG strengthens sportsmanship between gymnasts around the world and is responsible for promotion in different countries. The FIG also gives instructions to those who are dishonest or who are cheating, for example the judges.
Finally the FIG is responsible for making every sport big in the spirit of the Olympics.
Competitions
Trampolining and Tumbling World Championships
Summer Olympics
Rules
Judges are looking for good form and execution, difficulty, variety, and the correct landing
In the qualifying round gymnasts perform an optional and compulsory routine
The compulsory routine consists of ten sets of skills
Every routine should finish in an upright position
The objective of cricket is to score more runs than the opposition. In Test cricket both teams bat twice whilst in the one day forms of the game, they each have one innings.
Games Based Sport - Cricket Players
Batsmen can play many shots which are listed below -
On drive
Reverse Sweep
Off drive
Pull Shot
Forward defence
Backward defence
Leave
Square Cut
Hook shot
Bowler – the bowler begins each ball with his run up. Spin bowlers have a short run up and fast bowlers need momentum so they have a long run up.
Then the bowler releases the ball. If the bowler is fast then the ball is released at the last second, however if the bowler is spin then the ball should be released at an earlier point.
Finally the bowler follows through to achieve more power.
Bowlers can bowl no balls and wides which give the batsmen extra runs. If you bowl a wide then the batsmen are immediately awarded one run. If a no ball is bowled in test cricket then a run is given to the batsmen and in one day cricket if a no ball is bowled then a run is given to the batsmen and a free hit is given. The only way you can be out from a no ball is if you are run out.
A wide is when the ball is delivered outside of the batsman’s hitting zone, either too high or too wide. A no ball can be bowled by an inappropriate arm action, stepping over the crease or having a foot outside of the return crease. In both instances, the ball has to be re - bowled
Fielders - all eleven players on the fielding side take the field together. One of them is the wicket keeper (also known as the keeper) who takes up a position behind the stumps being defended by the batsman on strike. Wicket - keeping is normally a specialist job and his primary job is to gather deliveries that the batsman does not hit, so that the batsmen cannot run byes.
The wicket keeper wears gloves which allow him to do his job, a box over the groin, and pads to cover his lower legs. The wicket - keeper has a good chance of getting a batsman out caught off a fine edge from the bat. He is the only player who can get a batsman out stumped.
Apart from the one currently bowling, the other nine fielders are tactically positioned by the team captain in chosen positions around the field. Some names such as slip, third man, mid on and long leg are well known. There are always many unprotected areas.
The captain is the most important member of the fielding side as he determines all the tactics including who wicket. should bowl.
In all forms of cricket, if a fielder gets injured or becomes ill during a match, a substitute is allowed to field instead of him. The substitute cannot bat, bowl, act as a captain or keep
Umpires
The game on the field is watched and regulated by two umpires, one of whom stands behind the wicket at the bowler's end, and the other in a position called square leg, a position 15 - 20 metres to the side of the on strike batsman. The third umpire can make decisions on certain incidents with the help of video evidence.
The match referee holds the job of ensuring that play is within the Laws of cricket and the spirit of the game. Off the field, the match details including runs and dismissals are recorded by two official scorers who communicate with each other to ensure accurate scoring.
The target for the bowler and if the balls hit the wicket the bails must be dislodged for a wicket to be awarded
The Pitch
The cricket pitch consists of the central strip of the cricket field between the wickets (22 yards) long and 10 feet (3 m) wide. The surface is very flat and normally covered with extremely short grass.
Four lines, known as creases, are painted onto the pitch around the wicket areas to mark out the batsman's safe territory and the limit of the bowler's run up/approach.
When bowling the ball, the bowler's back foot in his delivery stride must land within the two return creases while his front foot must land on or behind the popping crease.
Important Records
Alistair Cook scored 766 runs altogether in the 2010/2011 Ashes. This is the second highest number of runs scored in a series by an Englishman, after Wally Hammond’s 905 in1928/1929.
Brian Lara scored 501 runs which is the highest first class cricket score. He also holds the record for the highest test score.(400 not out)
99.94 is the Test batting average of Sir Donald Bradman. He needed four runs in his last innings to average 100 however was bowled out for a duck!
Muttiah Muralitharan took 800 wickets in his career.
The highest amount of ducks (0) scored in Test cricket. The West Indian fast bowler Courtney Walsh holds the record.
Sachin Tendulkar is currently on 99 centuries (100 runs) and is looking for his 100th one.
My Inspirations
Alastair Cook - is my favourite batsmen of all time. His skill and timing is great and these statements are backed up by his statistics. He was on fire in 2010 and has carried on this form in 2011.
Sachin Tendulkar - I believe Tendulkar is the best batsman ever. I believe he can outplay and dominate a game by himself. He can face a variety of balls and has brilliant balance.
Shane Warne - what I think is great about Shane Warne are his spin balls. I love watching him completely demolish batsmen and the best balls are when he spins the ball around batsmen’s legs! For me he is the best spin bowler ever, although Murali’s statistics suggest otherwise.
Stuart Broad - although he is not the best, Stuart Broad is passionate and persistent. He is completely on form and my highlight for him is his hat - trick against India in Englands most recent test series. I am a fast bowler myself and I like to vary my balls, rather like him.
Leg before wicket (lbw): When the ball is going to hit the stumps but the batsmen gets in the way
Run out: When the ball is thrown or kicked at the stumps the batsman is out of his crease
Stumped: When the batsman is out of his crease and the wicket keeper touches the ball against the stumps. The ball must be firmly in his hands
Hit wicket: When the batsman hits the bails/stumps with his bat, body, clothing or while receiving a ball.
Hit the ball twice: When the batsman may play the ball a second time only to stop the ball hitting the wicket.
Obstructing the field:A batsman deliberately getting in the way of a fielder
Handled the ball: When the batsman handles the ball, e.g. to stop it hitting the wicket
Timed out: When the batsmen doesn’t arrive at the crease in time
Caught: When the batsmen hits the ball and it is caught without bouncing by a fielder
Governing Body
The cricket governing body is the ICC. ICC stands for the International Cricket Council. The ICC was originally founded as the Imperial Cricket Conference by English, Australian and South African representatives in 1909.
In 1965 the ICC name was changed to the International Cricket Conference, until it was changed to the International Cricket Council in 1989.
The ICC takes responsibility for the organisation of Crickets major tournaments. The ICC also selects the Umpires and Referees that officiate ODI's, T20's and Test matches.
The ICC has 105 members and the President is Sharad Pawar.
Competitions
One Day International and Twenty20 World Cups
County Championships
Clydesdale Bank 40 (CB40)
IPL (Indian Premier League)
Domestic T20
Here are 2 videos of meplaying some of the most common shots and showing some bowling techniques.
Rules
There are 11 players, one of these is the captain who decides positions when playing. Captains ensure that play is carried out within the spirit of the game
Substitutes act only as a fielder. They cannot bat, bowl, keep wicket or captain
The signals for runs scored etc. are -
Wide - when the ball is bowled out of the hitting zone of the batsman
Four - when the ball reaches the boundary with bouncing
Six - when the ball reaches the boundary without it bouncing
Leg Bye - when the ball hits the body of the batsman rather than the bat
OUT - when a batsman is dismissed
No Ball - when the ball is too high or the bowler treads over the crease
Television Replay - when the Umpire reviews a situation, LBW appeal etc.
Last Hour - when the last hour of play starts
One short - when the batsman drops his bat short of the crease
Here are all of the signals made by umpires -
2 scorers record all statistics of games
The ball has to be a minimum of 5 1/2 ounces and a maximum of 5 3/4 ounces
A game of cricket is divided into innings. (Periods of time when each team bats)
A bowler cannot bowl consecutive overs, six balls
In Test matches, if the first team to bat lead by 200 or runs or more after the opposition they have the option to make them bat again
A team, when batting can declare at any score
Structure of the Leagues/Competitions
County Championship
There are 2 divisions of counties, each tem playes eachother twice. There are 4 day games and a lot of things are similar to Test matches e.g. abide by the same rules.
Some well known teams are Lancashire, Somerset, Yorkshire and Durham. You get 16 points for a win, 8 for a tie and 3 for a draw and teams can also earn batting and bowling bonuses, depending on runs scored and wickets taken in the first 110 overs of the first innings of the match.
World cups
In the ODI World Cup there are 2 pools of 7 and the top 4 teams in each pool progress to the quater final. The competition then works like a normal knockout stage, (Quarters, Semis, and the Final). In 2011 the final was played between India and Sri Lanka.
IPL Indian Premier League 2011
This year there are 2 new teams. Ten teams are split into two groups of five and each team plays 14 games.
Each team plays eachother twice in the group and play four teams in the other group once, and the remaining team twice. A random draw is used to select who plays who and the groups.
It is 2 points for a win, 1 for a no result or draw and 0 for a loss. The play - off system works like this -
Qualifier 1 - between first and second in the group stages Eliminator - between third and fourth in the group stage Qualifier 2 - between the loser of qualifier 1 and winner of the eliminator Final - between the winners of Qualifier 1 and 2
The teams playing this year are the Deccan Chargers, Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians, Pure Warriors India, Kolkata Knight Riders, Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rajastan Royals and the Chennai Super Kings.
Some popular players sold at the IPL auction this year were Guatam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Jaques Kallis, Kevin Pietersen, Danny Vettori, Stuart Broad and Tilakrtne Dilshan.
