Broad Jump Distance Contest | Friends

Quick Intro

Broad Jump Distance Contest is the standing long jump as a head-to-head. Both partners jump from the same line, one at a time, and the jump is measured from the line to the back of the closest heel. The longer jump wins. If the jumps are level, each partner takes up to three more attempts and the best one decides it.

How to jump well, with a deep arm swing, a quick hinge at the hips and a drive forward through both feet into a soft two-footed landing, is covered at Broad Jump. This guide is about the contest: marking and measuring, what counts as a landing, evening out a gap in ability and spacing attempts so each one is a real effort.

What You’ll Need

A flat, non-slip surface with a soft landing area, such as grass, turf or a gym floor.
A start line, made with tape or chalk.
A tape measure, or tape marks on the floor every 10 centimetres.
A small marker, such as a coin or a piece of tape, to mark each landing.

How to Play

Agree the handicap, if any, and how many rounds you will play.
The first jumper stands with both toes just behind the line.
They jump once, as far as they can, and hold the landing.
The other partner marks the back of the heel that landed closest to the line and measures from the line to that mark.
Swap. The second jumper does the same.
The longer jump wins the round. If the two are level, each takes up to three more attempts and their best one counts.
Rest fully between every jump. Play two or three rounds if you want a match.

What Counts

Toes behind the line. Stepping on or over it before take-off is a foul. Retake the jump.
Two feet together on take-off. No step or hop into the jump.
A held landing. The jumper lands and stays there. If they fall back onto the hands or step backward, measure to the point closest to the line, whether that is a heel or a hand.
The closest heel. If the feet land unevenly, the one further back is measured.

The jumper should not mark their own landing. The other partner marks it, and any disputed measurement is jumped again.

Each Jump Is a Power Test

A broad jump is over in less than a second, and it measures how much force the legs can produce in one effort. That force drops quickly with fatigue, so jumps taken back to back get shorter. Treat each attempt as a fresh effort, with a minute or two of easy walking between them. The rest also keeps the landings clean, since tired legs land stiffly and absorb force badly.

Making It Fair

Taller and more powerful jumpers have a clear advantage, so the contest needs a handicap when the gap is large. The partner who jumps shorter starts from a line moved forward by an agreed distance. Set it from one practice jump each before the contest: if one person jumps 2.1 metres and the other 1.8 metres, a forward line of about 25 centimetres makes it close.

Keep that line for the whole contest and reset it next time. A contest that both people can win is worth more than one that is decided on the first jump. The Training With a Friend guide covers this kind of handicap in more depth.

Staying Safe

Soft, non-slip landing. Wet grass or a slippery floor can turn a good landing into a fall.
Plenty of space beyond the landing zone. Nobody stands where a jumper might land.
Land softly. Bend the knees and hips on landing. Stiff legs hurt the knees and back.
Warm up first. Some easy jumps at half effort before the contest prepare the legs and ankles.
Stop for knee or ankle pain.

Common Mistakes

Rushing the next jump. A short rest costs distance and spoils the landing.
Reaching the feet far forward and falling back. It looks long in the air and measures short, because the hands or bottom touch down behind the heels.
Small arm swing. A big swing back and through adds distance. Use it.
Arguing over measurements. Agree how to measure before the first jump, and re-jump anything unclear.

Fitting It Into a Session

Jump early in the session, after a warm-up, while the legs are fresh. It works well as a short contest before strength or conditioning work. Avoid placing it after heavy squats or long runs. For ideas on where to put it, see Building a Partner Session.

Getting Better Over Time

Write down each partner’s best jump every session. A few centimetres more over a month is real progress. Once the handicap line stops being needed, the contest can be played straight.

Partner Standing Broad Jump Chain links jumps into a relay, each partner jumping from where the other landed.
Partner-Resisted Broad Jump adds a partner holding back on a band or towel.
Rep Bet and Gamble Games include a broad jump version where each partner bids on their own distance.
Broad Jump Stick focuses on holding the landing without moving.

FAQ

Do we measure to the toes or the heels?

To the back of the heel closest to the start line. Toes give a longer number that does not reflect where the jumper ended up.

What if I fall backward on landing?

Measure to the part of your body that touched the ground closest to the line. That is why a held landing matters.

How many jumps should we do?

One per round, with full rest. Three rounds, plus tie-breaking attempts if needed, is plenty.