Our "decathlon"

Each year, we stage a jumpers decathlon, which admittedly isn't even a decathlon since we have 11 events. The events are basic biomotor analysis measurements that we've assigned scores to. We're convinced that if an athlete does well on the majority of these tests, they'll be successful on the track. The jumpers love this competition and most of them would rather win this than be league champion in their event. 

While there is some debate about whether or not a standing vertical jump is a valid predictor of success within the jumps, it is still the mostly widely used test of lower body power. Not much to it. Squat, and explode straight up as high as you can. 

This one is about proper jump technique. Power is nothing without coordination. If you can take three quick steps and take off from one foot and still get up, chances are you'll do pretty well in any of the jumps. 

Horizontal jumps require an athlete to get up to optimal top speed in a fairly short distance. Acceleration is the key and this is where you prove whether you have it or not. 

The 100 isn't just about acceleration, it's about getting to top speed and maintaining it. Speed is the ultimate cheat code for the jumps and we train hard to develop it. 

This is our longest run and the event that the jumpers hate the most. It's necessary to test speed endurance. Jumpers who compete in both long and triple jumps may run the equivalent of 800M during competition and need to have energy in reserve for those crucial late jumps. 

If we did only one test, this would be it. It is probably the best single predictor of ability in the jumps. 

Add a test of coordination to the standing long jump's test of power and you have the standing triple.

Core strength and explosiveness along with coordination get tested in these two medicine ball throws. 

From a standing position, squat, swing the ball downward between the legs and then power up and forward. 

Agility is speed plus coordination. In this one, we test how well our athletes can move forward, backward and sideways and how well they can change directions. A basic test of athleticism. 

In this widely used test of athleticism, we test not only how well our athletes can move and change direction, but how quickly they can stop and accelerate.