In the long jump, an athlete runs along a runway, takes off before the foul line and lands in sand. Young athletes can learn each part of the jump separately before putting the whole movement together.

Early sessions should focus on coordination and on repeating a movement with control, rather than on distance or competition results. That gives the coach a chance to see which part of the jump needs more practice.

Start With Movement

Preparation begins with general movement skills that support running and landing. A coach can use marching, skipping, low hops and short accelerations to observe balance, coordination and which leg an athlete prefers to take off from.

Leave enough space between participants and stop each activity before fatigue affects technique. A brief demonstration gives the group one clear movement to copy. After watching each athlete try it, give them one adjustment to make on the next repetition.

Build a Short Approach

A young beginner does not need the long approach used by experienced competitors. Start with a short, repeatable run-up that lets the athlete accelerate gradually without rushing. Mark the starting point, count the steps and have the athlete run through the takeoff area several times before adding a jump.

Consistency matters more than reaching maximum speed. If the athlete repeatedly arrives short of the takeoff target or runs past it, move the starting mark a little rather than asking for a stretched final stride. This lets the athlete keep a steady rhythm and an upright torso as the takeoff foot comes down.

Record the starting mark and step count so the athlete can use the same setup at the next session. Watch where the takeoff foot comes down over several attempts before deciding whether the mark needs another adjustment. If you move the mark, note its new position before the athlete starts another run.

Take Off Precisely

The athlete pushes off from one leg and drives the opposite knee forward. In formal competition, a jump is a foul if the front of the takeoff shoe breaks the vertical plane of the takeoff line. For beginners, set a broad target before the line so they can practice accuracy without looking down throughout the approach.

Keep these repetitions easy and let the athlete recover fully between jumps. Have them run through the takeoff and rise toward the landing area without pausing at the line. Once the takeoff leg, step pattern and body position are consistent, lengthen the approach gradually.

Land With Control

World Athletics teaching activities emphasize a precise one-leg takeoff and a two-foot landing for developing participants. To practice the landing on its own, have the athlete jump forward from a stable standing position into soft sand. With no run-up to think about, the athlete can focus on bringing both feet forward together.

Use the same movement when adding the run-up. Bring both legs forward during flight, let the feet meet the sand first and bend the knees on contact. Keep moving forward rather than falling back. If a hand touches the sand behind the feet, that mark can shorten the measured jump.

Set Up Supervised Practice

Before practice, make sure the sand is level, loose and clear and that nothing obstructs the runway. Supervise each jump directly. Have participants wait outside the landing area until the previous jumper has left and the coach signals that the area is clear.

Once an athlete can repeat the jump with control, record a distance from their usual starting mark. Use it as a baseline for their next session with the same approach, rather than comparing it with another athlete's result.