Although I have spoken about this subject many times, it seems that some people still don't quite understand how to divided a training program en sessions.

High jump, pole vault, long and triple jump

Each of the four Olympic jumps, high, pole, long and triple jump, have specific aspects but  also have differences, which would be necessary to analyze in a more detailed study of the subject. In this case it is much more instructive to consider them interchangeably.

Let's start by saying that the work of the jumpers is not the same all year long. Looking to the requirements of the current sports training as principles of progressivity, specificity, alternation, etc, we can consider it divided into three periods which match somewhat with the season’s weather ,as follows;

Period 1- Winter. - Generic preparation or General preparation, (November-February).

Period 2- Spring period. - Or specific preparedness and fitness or Pre-competition period (March to May).

Period 3- Summer period - Or competition and maintenance of the shape (June-October).

Note: It should be clear that when we are talking about professional athletes or elite athletes these phases  become four periods. The fourth period, I personally called (transition period) this is a small period of two months (September and October). After breaks the athletes have to do a preparation to enter in to the winter period (or general preparation).  

This period many athletes consider it the strongest period of the year. I work with this period only depending on the quality and results of the athlete during the year.

The work is not strictly the same in each of these phases having a logically phased transition from season to season

OUTLINE OF TRAINING PURPOSES:

In short, all the annual preparation of the jumpers is focuses on the acquisition and increase of the general condition (physiological improvement) and specific power, technique and speed, loading more emphasis on one aspect or another depending on the time of preparation.

DEVELOPMENT OF GENERAL CONDITIONS

1. - The race in all its forms: interval training; followed by cross forest, beach or park; "Fartlek" or "cross entertainment" using the natural terrain obstacles for sandwich spontaneous series of jumps and exercises.
2. - The practice of sports association, including volleyball and basketball, thereby forcing the athlete to jump almost constantly.
3. - The "circuit training", I.e.the strengthening of bodybuilding system. The next distribution of exercises and repetition brings the at the same time improvements of the overall organic strength.

WINTER PHASE

Its no exaggeration to say that this period represents the fundamental part of the preparation of every athlete and therefore,  can be considered as sub-divided into two parts:

First sub period or start (October to December).

Characteristics:

1. General Condition: Increased numbers of fractional sessions, cross race or "fartlek" circuits and association games, it seeks primarily organic progressive improvement after the short period of inactivity.

2. Empowerment: Beginning of the generic preparation with progressively increasing loads and  a few specific preparation exercises, (no technical or sprint).

Second sub period, or proper winter preparation. (January February)

Characteristics:

1. - General Condition: Continuing races and games.
2. - Empowerment: Maximum intensity of generic and progressive exercises

Note; when we are talking about professional athletes in this period there has to be a special change in the programme.Remember that athletes are beginning the indoor competitions in December and I as a professional coach particularly use these competitions to measure the athlete's development during the period. Of course everything depends on the training program and the competitions scheduled for next year. If the World Cup is scheduled in the program as part of the most  important competitions of the year, the general Terms and empowerment have to be different.

SPRING PHASE

As I said, this pre-competitive phase is the most technical, stylistic and physical.

Characteristics:

- General Conditions: First games,  and then cross sessions, gradually decreasing .

- Empowerment: Reduced in intensity, to improve an explosive performance and quality.

- Technical: . Assimilation of the special jumps exercises.  Complete jumps with full approach which will progressively increase.

- Sprint: 100-120-150 Series 75-80% speed, 50-60-80 Series 90%, on track or grass.

SUMMER PHASE

During this period, are the competitions themselves who determine the distribution of training throughout the week.