The long jump is a track and field event in which athletes combine speed, strength and agility in an attempt to leap as far as possible from a takeoff point.

In recent times, laser sensors and camera technology have replaced the plasticine at elite competitions (like Diamond League meetings).

The competitor with the longest valid jump (from either the trial or final rounds) is declared the winner at the end of competition.

In a large, multi-day elite competition (like the Olympics or World Championships), a qualification is held in order to select at least 12 finalists.

In a test phase starting with the 2025 indoor season, athletes will now take off from a wider zone instead of the traditional take-off board.

This new 40-centimetre take-off zone was introduced by World Athletics to reduce the number of invalid attempts (around 30%) that have been common in recent years.

It was commonly believed that the jumper would throw the weights behind him in midair to increase his forward momentum; however, halteres were held throughout the duration of the jump.

The long jump was considered one of the most difficult of the events held at the Games since a great deal of skill was required.

[3] Philostratus is quoted as saying, "The rules regard jumping as the most difficult of the competitions, and they allow the jumper to be given advantages in rhythm by the use of the flute, and in weight by the use of the halter.

In 1914, Dr. Harry Eaton Stewart recommended the "running broad jump" as a standardized track and field event for women.

There are five main components of the long jump: the approach run, the last two strides, takeoff, action in the air, and landing.

Classic examples of this long jump / sprint doubling are performances by Carl Lewis and Heike Drechsler.

The exact distance and number of steps in an approach depends on the jumper's experience, sprinting technique, and conditioning level.

Consistency in the approach is important as it is the competitor's objective to get as close to the front of the takeoff board as possible without crossing the line with any part of the foot.

The kick style takeoff is where the athlete actively cycles the leg before a full impulse has been directed into the board then landing into the pit.

Following the pivotal takeoff phase, the jumper executes a deliberate maneuver wherein the free leg descends until it aligns directly beneath the hips.

This strategic positioning, characterized by an elongated and streamlined body silhouette, is meticulously crafted to minimize rotational forces.

Leveraging the principle that longer levers rotate at a slower pace than shorter ones, this configuration facilitates a controlled and stable aerial trajectory.

This aerodynamically advantageous posture, colloquially termed the "180° position", epitomizes the pinnacle of equilibrium, affording the jumper enhanced control and poise amidst the dynamic forces encountered in flight.

[10] In the realm of athletic performance, particularly in the domain of jumping techniques, a prevalent strategy observed among practitioners involves the utilization of a single-step arm and leg cycle.

This technique, ingrained within the repertoire of many athletes, serves a fundamental purpose: to mitigate and alleviate the forward rotation momentum experienced during the jump.

Characterized by a deliberate and synchronized motion of the arms and legs, this cycling maneuver is strategically devised to offset the rotational forces generated at the moment of takeoff.

By implementing this methodological approach, athletes can harness the principles of biomechanics to optimize their jumping performance, enhancing stability, control, and overall efficiency in their aerial endeavors.

The "sail technique" represents a fundamental long jump approach widely employed by athletes in competitive settings.

[12] This maneuver serves as an entry-level strategy particularly beneficial for novice jumpers, facilitating an early transition into the landing posture.

However, despite its utility in expediting the landing process, this technique fails to mitigate the inherent forward rotational momentum of the body effectively.

Consequently, while advantageous for its simplicity and expedited landing preparation, the sail technique lacks the requisite mechanisms to adequately counteract excessive forward rotation, posing a notable limitation to its effectiveness in optimizing jump performance.

[13] In the 1970s, some jumpers used a forward somersault, including Tuariki Delamere who used it at the 1974 NCAA Championships, and who matched the jump of the then Olympic champion Randy Williams.

The current women's world record is held by Galina Chistyakova of the former Soviet Union who leapt 7.52 m (24 ft 8 in) in Leningrad on 11 June 1988, a mark that has now stood for over 36 years.