Triple Jump Rules
A hop, a step, and a jump — three connected phases from a single approach into the pit.
Each athlete gets a fixed number of attempts (usually 3-6); the best valid jump counts.
- •Longest valid combined distance, measured to the nearest mark in the sand, wins
- •Distances measured to the nearest centimetre
- •League standings can rank by best distance across the season
- •Must land on the same foot for the 'hop', switch feet for the 'step', then jump into the pit — landing on the wrong foot at either phase is a foul
- •Taking off beyond the board line is a foul, same as long jump
- •Measured the same way as long jump, from the nearest mark in the sand
Hop, step and jump
The sequence is strict: the hop lands on the same foot that took off, the step lands on the opposite foot, and the jump finishes in the pit. Landing on the wrong foot in the step phase is the most common technical fault in developing athletes.
A balanced phase distribution, roughly 35 per cent hop, 30 per cent step and 35 per cent jump, produces the best results for most athletes. Novices tend to over-hop and arrive at the step with nothing left, which is why coaching the step phase pays off most.
Board distances and safety
The take-off board is set further from the pit than in long jump, with the distance varying by category: senior men typically jump from 13m, senior women from 11m, and junior categories from shorter distances.
Setting the board too far out for a developing athlete means they land the jump phase short of the sand, which is both a poor result and a real injury risk. Always match the board distance to the athlete's ability, not to the category default.
Common questions
What is the correct foot sequence?
Take off and land the hop on the same foot, land the step on the other foot, then jump into the pit. Any deviation, such as landing the hop on the opposite foot, invalidates the attempt.
How far should the board be from the pit?
It varies by age and ability: around 13m for senior men and 11m for senior women, with shorter distances for juniors. Boards should be moved closer for developing athletes rather than making them jump from an unsafe distance.
What phase distribution should athletes aim for?
Roughly 35 per cent hop, 30 per cent step, 35 per cent jump. Most novices hop too far and lose far more in the step and jump phases than they gained.
Is it measured like long jump?
Yes, from the take-off line to the nearest mark in the sand made by any part of the body. The same wind reading rules apply as well.
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