Objective of the Game

The Triple Jump is a repeated test of the athlete’s ‘explosive strength’, or ‘power’. As a distance competition, the traditional Triple Jump can be compared to today’s triple jump. At the Arctic Winter Games, only two-foot jumps are allowed. The athlete runs up to the startling line; he jumps off from both feet, executing three two-foot jumps. The feet may not be placed more than shoulder-width apart. The attempt ends with a two-foot landing. The athlete has to demonstrate balance on landing. The Triple Jump is a traditional game of the people of the Magadan region. It was first played at the 1998 Arctic Winter Games in Yellowknife.

Equipment

1. Masking tape to mark the starting line on the floor.
2. A tape measure

Playing Area

A gym or outdoor track is the best playing area for the Triple Jump. The play­ing area should be level and smooth and at least 20 m long (to allow for a run­-up of at least 8 m, and triple jumps of up to 10 m in total).

Teams and Players

Athletes from all four categories compete in the Triple Jump.

Safety Considerations

For beginners, the Triple Jump is one of the easier Inuit games. Only a good tech­nique will enable the athlete to keep pace with the top competitors at the Arctic Winter Games, but participation has no major skill or conditioning prerequisites. The Triple Jump can be used as a training exercise for the development of 'explo­sive strength,' or power.

Beginners should start with strength and balance exercises before attempting to compete.