Why do long jumpers sprint before jumping?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do long jumpers sprint before jumping?

The Big Idea

Long jumpers sprint as fast as they can before jumping! Why all that running? Speed becomes distance!

Speed to Distance

Step one: Speed to Distance. A long jumper turns running speed into distance. The faster the athlete runs, the farther they can fly.

Takeoff

Step two: Takeoff. They take off from a board at an angle of about 20 degrees. That's lower than the best angle in theory, because it's hard to jump high and keep speed.

In the Air

Step three: In the Air. In the air, jumpers swing their legs forward. That helps them land far ahead.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! Build speed. Take off. About 20 degrees. Soft landing.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Jumpers land in a pit of soft sand. Speed becomes distance. About 20 degrees. Legs swing forward.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! With a grown-up watching, find a clear space with a soft landing. Jump from a standing start. Then jump after a few running steps. Measure both with a tape measure. Which went farther?

Outro

Long jumpers sprint first because running speed turns into jumping distance. They take off at about 20 degrees to keep their speed, swing their legs forward in the air, and land in a soft sand pit. Science is amazing! The world is full of surprises. Keep asking big questions, and keep exploring with me! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!