There are a few things that you need to consider if you plan to measure distances accurately in the long jump.
An official needs to see the take-off point on the board.
The long jump board has a raised wooden plank and plasticine. As the athlete approaches and uses the board to take-off, the official must identify whether or not the athlete has taken off without touching the foul area on the board.
The distance measured is taken from the plank on the board.
The distances aren’t measured from the athlete’s point of take-off. Rather from the foul line on the board.
The distance is measured from the closest point to the board in the sand.
Wherever the closest mark to the board is, the measurement should be taken from that distance. Ths includes the athlete walking outside of the pit sideways or them putting their hand behind them in the sand.
You will need a measuring tape or an electronic measuring device to accurately record the distance in the long jump. You can purchase the following equipment.
Also make sure you measure the wind assistance.
Wind assistance of more than 2 metres per second will prevent your jump from being recognised for qualifications. However, it will be recognised if you do the jump in a competition. For example, if you jump 7 metres with a 2.4m/s wind in competition and it breaks the record, the record will not count. However, the distance will be counted in the competition.
