High jumpers and pole-vaulters try to propel themselves over a long thin crossbar

held up by two post called uprights. The athletes land on a cushion of foam rubber.
If a jumper knocks the crossbar of the uprights, the jump counts as a miss. Three
consecutive misses elimate the jumper. The winner is the one who clears the
greatest height. In case of a tie, the winner is the one with the fewest misses at that
height. If still tied, the winner is the one with the fewest overall misses.

A high jumper runs towards the bar from any angle within a large, semicircular
runway. The athlete may use any style of jumping, but he or she must take off from
one foot. In most popular modern style, called Fosbury Flop, jumpers go over with
their back to the bar and their head clearing first.

THE FOSBURY STYLE

(1) The take-off (Note the right knee)
(2) The bar clearance
(3) The land

THE TAKE-OFF AND POLE PLANT

 A pole vaulter uses a long pole usually made of
fiber glass. He begins his vault by sprinting down a
runway, carrying the pole with both hands. As he
nears the vaulting pit, he rams the far end of the
pole into a wood or metal box embedded in the
ground. The pole bends while he hangs with his
back to the ground and his feet up. As the
straightens, helping to trust him into the air, he pulls himself higher and turns his
body to face the ground. Before the release the pole, he gives a final push with his
arm to add to his height.