Eastern cut-off

The Eastern cut-off is a style used in the athletics event of High Jump. It can be used as an intermediate progression from the simpler Scissors-Jump technique towards performance of the Fosbury Flop technique.

The approach (or run-up) in the Eastern cut-off can be the same as that of the Scissors-Jump: a straight line at 30 to 50 degrees to the bar, jumping over the lowest point of the bar which is usually the centre. Speed is brisk, simply to ensure horizontal travel over the bar, but not a full out sprint, as there is little chance to resolve forward motion into vertical motion at take-off. Horizontal acceleration should be complete by take-off, with the shoulders held high and the take-off leg (the one pushing into the ground) flexing at delivery.

At take-off the leg nearer the bar is driven or swung into the air and, as the hips rise, the jumper lays back so that their body is facing upwards, laid out flat along the bar. The trailing or take-off leg has to be swung up to clear the bar. The hips may cross the bar a few inches ahead of the shoulders or at the same time, thus the jumper's body is close to parallel with the bar at clearance.

Driving or swinging the arms into the air at take-of can also provide additional upwards momentum and the arms can be successfully "blocked" (i.e. brought back to the sides) during clearance, although care should be taken not to strike the bar.

By rotating around the vertical axis so that their shoulders cross the bar ahead of the hips, the athlete begins a progression towards the Fosbury Flop style, although a markedly different approach is required for full progression.

Landing from the Eastern cut-off usually requires competition standard foam matting to prevent neck and back injury. No high jumping should be performed without regard to this and other safety issues.