What Is the Takeoff Board in Long Jump and Triple Jump?
Summary
In the long jump and triple jump, athletes sprint down the runway and leap from a takeoff board. This small, rectangular surface isn’t just a line in the sand — it’s a carefully designed piece of equipment that ensures fair, measurable, and consistent jumps.
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What Is the Takeoff Board?
A solid, rectangular surface built into the runway.
Dimensions: 20 cm wide, 1.22 m long, and flush with the runway surface (per World Athletics rules).
Material: Usually wood or synthetic composite (sometimes just painted directly on the track), painted white for visibility.
Location: Placed before the sand pit, at a regulated distance depending on age/level.
👉 Purpose: To mark the exact point where officials mark the starting point (zero) of the measurement each time.
How It Works in Competition
Runway approach: Athletes sprint at full speed toward the board.
Takeoff contact: One foot must plant on the board (no overstepping). Ideally, the toe of the takeoff shoe lands within a centimeter of the plasticine strip on the takeoff board without marking the plasticine to maximize distance.
Plasticine strip (foul indicator):
A 10-centimeter-wide indicator board, edged with plasticine, is positioned just beyond the take-off line; if an athlete's foot makes an imprint in the plasticine, the jump is declared a foul and no distance is recorded. This non-drying, non-setting, high-quality modeling material is ideal for this purpose because it clearly shows footprints and can be easily replaced if marked, allowing competition to continue without delay. Plasticine is used in long jump and triple jump competitions as a foul detection tool placed immediately in front of the take-off board to determine if an athlete has started their jump from beyond the foul line.
If an athlete’s foot crosses beyond the board, it leaves a mark = foul jump or no mark.
Measurement: Distance is measured from the front edge of the board (nearest the pit) to the closest mark in the sand where any body part lands. For example, if an athlete has long braids and it leaves a mark in the sand a foot behind the rest of their body, that is where the official will measure. Thus, it is important to ensure every part of the body lands as far away from the takeoff board as possible.
| Event | Board Size | Placement Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Jump | 20 cm wide × 1.22 m long | Standard: 1 m from sand pit edge (adjustable in youth) | Plasticine strip on far edge |
| Triple Jump | 20 cm wide × 1.22 m long | Usually 11–13 m from pit (men) and 9–11 m (women) | Multiple boards may be available for different levels |
Takeoff Board in Long Jump
Single jump event.
One foot must take off on or behind the board.
Overstepping = foul.
Measurement always from the front edge of the board.
Takeoff Board in Triple Jump
Sequence: hop → step → jump.
Boards are often placed at different distances (e.g., 9m (30ft), 11m (36ft), 13m (42ft)) to accommodate different skill levels.
Athletes must still take off from the board, then complete their hop-step-jump into the pit.
Why the Takeoff Board Matters
Fairness: Everyone is marked from the same fixed point.
Accuracy: Measurements are consistent across all attempts.
Skill test: Hitting the board at full sprint speed requires rhythm, precision, and control.
FAQs
Q1: What happens if an athlete takes off from behind the board?
The attempt still counts, but measurement is still taken from the board’s front edge — meaning the jump is shorter.
Q2: Why use plasticine on the board?
To clearly show fouls. Even a toe crossing the edge leaves a mark.
Q3: Can multiple boards be used in triple jump?
Yes. Meets often set different boards for different levels, ensuring athletes can safely complete all phases.
Q4: Do youth competitions use smaller boards?
No — dimensions stay the same, but placement distances from the pit are adjusted.
Key Takeaways (TL;DR)
The takeoff board is a 20 cm × 1.22 m rectangle built into the runway.
Used in long jump and triple jump to standardize takeoff and ensure fair fouls.
Fouls are flagged by a plasticine strip.
Distances vary in triple jump, but the rules stay the same.
👉 Related: Learn How Multi-Events Are Scored or explore Why Do High Jumpers Go Over the Bar Backward?
