Objective of the Game

The Kneel Jump can be compared to the standing long jump, but it is rather more difficult to execute. In the starting position, the athlete kneels on the floor. His buttocks rest on his heels. To generate momentum, he rotates his arms backward and forward several times, then he propels himself into the air and jumps forward as far as possible. He may not touch the ground other than with his feet upon landing. A two-foot landing is required, and the athlete has to demonstrate clear body control and balance in order for the attempt to count.

This jump is more difficult to execute than the standing long jump. In the starting position the athlete cannot use the calf muscles (ankle extensors) and ankle joints as additional levers to push himself off the ground. And because he must land on his feet, powerful hip flexion is required to pull the legs forward without touching the ground before the landing. The overall height of the jump is low, and he strongly has to bend the body at the hips in order to avoid touching the ground with his feet.

A rather painful variation of the game was known in which the athletes did not compete for distance, but for the number of repetitions they were able to com­plete (jump up/assume squatting position-back to kneeling position).

Equipment

The Kneel Jump can be played without any equipment whatsoever. For proper organization, the following should be on hand:

1. A tape measure to measure the distances jumped by the competitors.
2. Masking tape to mark the starting line on the ground.
3. A nylon rope to rope off the playing area and keep it clear of spectators.

Playing Area

This game requires very little space and can be played anywhere. A flat area of 2 m ( 6-7 ft.) in length will be sufficient. The playing area should be smooth and level.

Teams and Competitors

Traditionally, everybody took part in this game. At the Arctic Winter Games, the competitors are divided into female/male and junior/open categories.

Safety Considerations

Landing in the squat position puts considerable pressure on the knee joints and tension on the patellar ligaments. These forces can be reduced by increasing the flexibility as well as the general strength of the quads. Strength training of the quads increases their size. This, in turn, serves to reduce the friction about the knee joint caused by the movements during the follow-through phase.