COURSE ANALYSIS OF APPROACH TECHNIQUES OF 3/4-CUT IN WATER SKI JUMP

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to examine differences in how the Japanese elite jumper and the university level jumper executed the 3/4-cut jump technique and use of findings in improving instruction of water ski jumping. The distance obtained from a water ski jump depends heavily on the skier's "approach speed" to the ramp. In maximizing speed to the ramp, jumpers can choose different techniques. In this study the speed and the angular displacement of jumpers using the 3/4-cut technique were calculated by digitizing ski motion. The results are summarized as fallows; 1 ) deceleration in speed during the Turn phase" was related to the angular displacement of the Japanese elite jumper and the university level jumper, and 2) the timing of the smallest angle at the "Final-cut phase" was different between the good jumps and the bad jumps.