Field Events Archives - Track and Field Toolbox

The following is a listing of all posts in the category of Field Events for our site.

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High Jump Intervention Drills to Fix Lack of Rotation

June 8, 2026 by

Mike Erb, Jumps Coach/Speed Specialist, Coach Erb Athletics

Full video on Glazier Drive: Drills for The High Jump: Two Case Studies

You can see all 144 videos in Glazier Drive with a Track & Field Membership

OVERVIEW

This video walks through a progressive drill sequence used to teach an athlete named proper rotational mechanics in the high jump.

The session moves from identifying problems to applying targeted fixes using three connected drills.

THE HARRIS DRILL — FEELING ROTATION

The coach starts by having Deepak run his normal approach over a very low bar, removing bar clearance pressure entirely.

The goal is simply to feel the natural rotation generated by a good approach and a stiff plant. The drill quickly revealed two things: Deepak could produce rotation with a solid plant, but his takeoff point was too close to the bar, causing him to peak behind it rather than over it.

CONE RESTRICTION DRILL — ADJUSTING TAKEOFF DISTANCE

To fix the tight takeoff, the coach placed cones roughly 2–2.5 feet in front of the bar, forcing Deepak to take off further out. The result was immediate — better rotation, smoother bar clearance, and a natural lean toward the bar initiated from the ankle up through the shoulders, not a waist break. This lean set up the rotational arc needed for a quality jump.

BACKOVER DRILL — TRAINING BAR POSITION

With rotation improving, the remaining issue was body position at the top — hips needed to be higher, the free leg dropped, and the torso more arched. A traditional backover drill was used to let Deepak feel that arched position. The coach notes an important caution: the backover is an oversimplification since the athlete takes off two-footed and already has their back to the bar, so it should be treated as a feel drill only, not a movement model.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

The three drills were combined in a full jump with a tape mark replacing the cones. Deepak successfully demonstrated the lean at takeoff, proper rotation, and a much-improved arched position over the bar — a significant improvement from where he started.

KEY COACHING TAKEAWAYS

A well-structured approach and a stiff plant create rotation almost automatically. Takeoff distance is critical and often overlooked. Drills should be sequenced to isolate one variable at a time, and coaches should understand the limitations of each drill before using it with athletes.

High Jump: Circle Run Variations

May 22, 2026 by

Kelsey Riggins, Asst Coach – Jumps, Murray State

Full video on Glazier Drive: High Jump: Training and Development

You can see all 144 videos in Glazier Drive with a Track & Field Membership

CIRCLE RUNS — OVERVIEW

Circle runs are a divisive drill — athletes tend to either love them or hate them. The coach uses circles ranging from 11 to 16 feet depending on the training focus and time of season.

EARLY SEASON: SPEED REPEAT CIRCLES

Early in the season, the focus is on speed repeat circles to reinforce proper body positioning in the curve. Key coaching points include an ankle-in lean, high knee drive, and controlled rotation through the circle.

A sample rep scheme is 6 sets of 3 loops with rest between. These can be plugged into an acceleration day and done outside of a high jump facility. They are especially valuable for athletes who have developed new speed but lack the body control to manage it through a curve.

MID-TO-LATE SEASON: ADDING A TAKEOFF

As the season progresses, a takeoff is added at the end of the circle. The coach generally avoids repeat takeoffs within the circle, finding that the rhythm doesn’t translate well for their athletes. Instead, carrying full-approach speed into a single takeoff tends to produce better results. However, repeat takeoffs could be beneficial for athletes with specific postural issues at the board.

CIRCLE RUN WITH A FULL HIGH JUMP

One of the coach’s favorite progressions — developed in recent years — is a circle run that ends in an actual high jump. The athlete starts directly in front of a bar or bungee, completes a full circle, and then jumps. This drill effectively strips away momentum and approach speed, exposing raw jump mechanics. It is particularly useful for athletes who tend to cut their curve, since there simply isn’t enough time in the circle to cheat it. Athletes typically find these challenging and frustrating, especially when bars are set conservatively, but the coach views that struggle as an important part of development.

BUNGEES VS. BARS AND BAR HEIGHT

The coach uses both bungees and bars for these drills. Bars tend to be the more frustrating option. Athletes who normally clear 5’6″–5’7″ may struggle with a bar set at 5’0″ or even 4’6″ because their usual speed and strength advantages have been removed. The coach embraces this difficulty, emphasizing the importance of being comfortable being uncomfortable.

DEVELOPMENTAL AND YOUNG ATHLETES

For younger or developmental multi-event athletes, scissor kicks over the bungee or bar are encouraged as an introductory jumping skill, making circle runs a versatile tool across all experience levels.

High Jump Specific Drills

June 15, 2022 by

Gwen Wentland is a former world-class high jumper, Olympic coach, and college coach. In the video below she shares 8 High Jump Specific Drills that you can utilize to effectively train your high jumpers.

Here are the 8 High Jump Specific Drills demonstrated in the video:

Circle Drill

Athletes run in a circle (males radius 30-50ft and females radius 22-30 ft)
Shoulders back
The inside foot should come across the midline of the body
Run both directions

Figure 8 Drill

Allows athletes to feel the transition on each curve
Aids in maintaining balance on each side

Circle Drills with Pop Offs

Athletes run in a circle with the same fundamentals as the circle drill
Every 5 steps they will execute a pop off
The last two steps should be really quick
Emphasize vertical drive

Pop Off Between Hurdles

Small hurdles placed approximately 3ft apart
Athletes will execute a pop off between each hurdle
Emphasize being quick off the ground

Rhythm Drill

Run 10 steps with a pop off at the end
Be sure that the last two steps are really quick

Skipping Take-Off Drill

Emphasize bringing the take-off leg directly under the center of mass
The athlete should drive their take-of foot down into the track
The drive knee should come up and block

Galloping Drill

Push off the back foot
Pull with the front foot

Running the Curve

Run 100 meters on the curve of the track
4x is a typical workout

The video below was taken from Coach Wentland’s complete high jump training course. For more information about that course click the following link: Effective Practice Drills for the High Jump

Station Approach to Throws Practice

June 11, 2022 by

Jim Aikens has been coaching the throws since 1984. During this time Coach Aikens’ throwers have medaled at national competitions, won four state championships, and 20 other state medals. His throwers have also won numerous sectional and conference championships. In addition, he has had 5 throwers toss the shot 60 feet or better. He has earned his USA Track & Field Level 1 and Level 2 certification.

In the video below Coach Aikens demonstrates a station approach to throws practice. While this is just one way to run a practice coach he indicates that he likes the fact that with this structure he can utilize his more experienced athletes as leaders/coaches at each station.

In this video, you will see 6 different stations/drills that he has set up for this particular workout.

This clip was taken from Coach Aikens complete throws coaching course. If you would like to learn more about that course click the following link: Organizing & Implementing a Successful High School Throws Program

The video below has audio so please make sure your speakers are turned on.

Roll Back Handstand to Pike Drill

February 6, 2022 by

In the video below Elliott Krause breaks down the Roll Back Handstand to Pike Drill which he mimics the turn over to pike at the top and is a good way to help the athlete feel where their hips are in relation to trying to push off the pole.

He offers the following Do’s and Don’t’s.

Do’s

Time the swing with elasticity of body
Drive knees at about 45 degrees

Don’t’s

Bend arms
Extend legs to early

He also suggests having your athletes pike over a mat or some other object so they can simulate clearing the bar.

This clip is taken from Coach Krause’s complete pole vault course that contains over 1 hr of great coaching tips for teaching the beginning pole vaulter.

For more info about that course CLICK HERE

The video below has audio so please make sure that your speakers are on.

Click the arrow to play the video