Exercise of the Month: Landing Mechanics

Exercise of the Month

By William Parker, CSCS

Athletic Performance Center

November – Landing Mechanics

Position 1

Jumping is an important element used in many sports.  Being able to jump high is good, but one also needs to be able to land from the jump well too.  It is important to concentrate on the landing technique more than the jump. This is because a bad landing can lead to very serious injuries and if someone is injured, then it does not matter how high they can jump since they are on the sideline.  Proper Landing Mechanics can also make one quicker and more explosive. 

Position 2

When practicing Landing Mechanics you should start by standing tall on a small box or step, about 6-12” high, with your arms straight overhead as in the picture for position 1.  Then step forward and fall to the ground, do not jump.  As you are falling, prepare for the landing by bending at your hip, knee and ankle with your feet shoulder width, core tight, chest up, and arms aggressively swinging down and back from the shoulder.  Upon landing, you want your entire body to be very still and stable at the moment of impact.   While on the ground, keep your body weight even between both feet and your chest up with your arms back.  After landing the first few, hold position 2, as in the pictures, for 5-10 seconds to help your body “remember” the position.  

Position 2 Side View

Athlete of the Month: Joe Lingle

Athlete of the Month: Joe Lingle

Joe Lingle was born on February 25, 1992 in Philadelphia, PA. He’s completely deaf and has been playing ice hockey for 9 years. He played for his high school Varsity team, the North Penn Knights. In 2009, he played on Team USA in the World Deaf Ice Hockey and Curling Championships, bringing home a bronze medal. He received the Most Improved Player award 2 years straight from the American Hearing Impaired Ice Hockey Organization.

Joe is majoring in Mechanical Engineering at the Rochester Institute of Technology, but plans to transfer into the Environmental Science program.

Joe spent his summer training with us at APC in the College Prep daily training program. We recently got an email from him that said:

“Guess that training this summer paid off. I made the Deaf Olympic team roster and will be going to Slovakia this coming February. I also made the RIT ACHA Division 1 team and am currently playing with them. Thanks for the help!”

Congratulations Joe from all of us at APC- Keep up the hard work!