Quick jumps answers from Boo Schexnayder

Posted by Boo Schexnayder



When I posted Boo Schexnayder’s Mechanics of the Jump Approach manuscript, we got a couple questions.

Here are Boo’s responses to those questions:

Question: Under the section “Recovery Mechanics” you wrote:

“At maximal velocities, maximal knee flexion should be seen as the femur reaches a position perpendicular to the ground, since it is at this point that the other leg iscommensurately at maximum extension.”

Shouldn’t maximal knee flexion be seen as the femur reaches a position parallel to the ground?

Boo Schexnayder says: No, this would result in preparation for groud contact in the quadriceps group occuring too late, as well as destroying contraleteral balance.

Question: Under the section “Position and Kinetics of the Ankle Joint” are you stating that when accelerating or at maximal velocity, one should not volitionally plantar flex after a dorsiflexed touchdown?

Boo Schexnayder says: No, the plantar flexion results from elastic operation of the achilles unit, and ground contact time frames do not permit volitional concentric activity.

Complete Horizontal Jumps Training Program

If you haven’t read the article, I recommend you do so! Boo is the man!

I understand it’s a technical article. But I’m a high school coach without a degree in exercise science or a related topic, so it’s not like you have to be a genius to apply this stuff. Let me throw some quick numbers at you. It’s my first year in a new program.

My best male jumper went 19′ 6″ (LJ) and 40′ 8″ (TJ) last year before I got there. This year he has gone 21′ 5″ (LJ) and 44′ 3.5″ (TJ) and we haven’t even gotten to states yet.

Last year my best female jumper didn’t long jump at all. This year, she’s gone 17′ 3.5″ (LJ). Her best triple last year was 32′ 8″. This year she’s gone 37′ 7.5″ so far.

Thanks Boo!

– Latif Thomas



Boo Schexnayder - Irving “Boo” Schexnayder is regarded internationally as one of the leading authorities in training design, bringing 39 years of experience in the coaching and consulting fields. Regarded as one of the world’s premier field event coaches, he was the mastermind behind 19 NCAA Champions during his collegiate coaching career. Schexnayder has also been a prominent figure on the international scene, having coached 11 Olympians, and has served on coaching staffs for Team USA to the 2003 Pan Am Games in Santo Domingo, the 2006 World Junior Championships in Beijing, and was the Jumps Coach for Team USA at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Prior to his collegiate and international career, Schexnayder was a successful mathematics teacher and prep coach at St. James High School for 11 years, coaching football, track and field, and cross country. The Vacherie, La., native was class valedictorian at St. James High in 1979, and earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Nicholls State University. He graduated cum laude with a B.S. in physical education in 1983 and later added a master’s degree in administration and supervision in 1988, again earning cum laude honors.

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