What is the “Pike” position, (long jump)?
The Pike position as in diving is when the legs are extended, and you bend at the hips and touch your toes with your hands. This is not the way to long jump. Once your feet have left the ground you can not change the shape of the curve in the air, during your jump. The way to prevent your body from rotating forward, so you land on your face is to rotate your arms in a rearward motion and move your legs as if you are running in the air. This method is called the hitch kick, and is used by all elite jumpers. No one uses a pike position.
