PUDDLE JUMP

The “Puddle Jump” is an important drill that works on building technique and power in the first two pushes of a “Crossover Start” for accelerating. The first push is a half push from your outside leg. We call it a half push because if you are leaning correctly in the direction you want to go, the outside foot will only be able to push a small distance before the knee and ankle are fully extended and cannot push anymore. The second push comes from the cross under leg, which propels you into your jump. It is called the “Puddle jump” because the focus is on trying to leap past an imaginary puddle. The amount of power you generate in your first two pushes will determine how far you will travel in the air. Once you have a good handle on the “Puddle Jump” into a glide, you can practice coming to a stop and performing your next “Puddle Jump” in the opposite direction. This is more difficult because it challenges you to combine acceleration with the previous deceleration.