Jumping
From Encyclopedia Jr, free information reference for Kids
Jumping is a skill that most humans and many animals share to some degree. It is the process of getting one's body off the ground for a short time using only one's own power, usually by propelling oneself upward via contraction and then forceful extension of the legs. In some cases the height of a jump may be increased by using a trampoline, or by pushing down with the arms when playing leapfrog. One can jump up to reach something high, jump over a fence or ditch, or jump down, and one can jump while dancing and as a sport. In athletics (track and field), a number of events are mainly based on jumping:
- long jump, where the objective is to cover as large a horizontal distance as possible with one jump, preceded by a short run-up.
- high jump, where the objective is to cover as large a vertical distance as possible with one jump, preceded by a short run-up.
- standing high jump, similar to the high jump but without any run-up.
- pole vault, in which is similar to the high jump, but competitors use a long flexible pole to cover a bigger height.
- hurdling, a foot race where the track is covered with hurdles.
- steeplechase, similar to hurdling, but the obstacles are more solid and diverse, and the distances to be covered are longer.
- triple jump, which is similar to the long jump, but the final jump is preceded by a step and a hop (a step, but with the same foot as the previous one).
A number of sports with animals also involve jumping:
- Show jumping involves a rider jumping a sequence of fences with horses.
Jumps are also part of:
- Bossaball
- basketball
- gymnastics
- rugby union
- rugby league
- rhythmic gymnastics
- skateboarding
- skiing
- swimming
- trampolining
- ultimate
- volleyball
See also hopping (various figurative meanings).