<P> At the elite level , competitors run down a runway ( usually coated with the same rubberized surface as running tracks , crumb rubber also vulcanized rubber -- known generally as an all - weather track ) and jump as far as they can from a wooden board 20 cm or 8 inches wide that is built flush with the runway into a pit filled with finely ground gravel or sand . If the competitor starts the leap with any part of the foot past the foul line , the jump is declared a foul and no distance is recorded . A layer of plasticine is placed immediately after the board to detect this occurrence . An official ( similar to a referee ) will also watch the jump and make the determination . The competitor can initiate the jump from any point behind the foul line ; however , the distance measured will always be perpendicular to the foul line to the nearest break in the sand caused by any part of the body or uniform . Therefore , it is in the best interest of the competitor to get as close to the foul line as possible . Competitors are allowed to place two marks along the side of the runway in order to assist them to jump accurately . At a lesser meet and facilities , the plasticine will likely not exist , the runway might be a different surface or jumpers may initiate their jump from a painted or taped mark on the runway . At a smaller meet , the number of attempts might also be limited to four or three . </P>
<P> At the elite level , competitors run down a runway ( usually coated with the same rubberized surface as running tracks , crumb rubber also vulcanized rubber -- known generally as an all - weather track ) and jump as far as they can from a wooden board 20 cm or 8 inches wide that is built flush with the runway into a pit filled with finely ground gravel or sand . If the competitor starts the leap with any part of the foot past the foul line , the jump is declared a foul and no distance is recorded . A layer of plasticine is placed immediately after the board to detect this occurrence . An official ( similar to a referee ) will also watch the jump and make the determination . The competitor can initiate the jump from any point behind the foul line ; however , the distance measured will always be perpendicular to the foul line to the nearest break in the sand caused by any part of the body or uniform . Therefore , it is in the best interest of the competitor to get as close to the foul line as possible . Competitors are allowed to place two marks along the side of the runway in order to assist them to jump accurately . At a lesser meet and facilities , the plasticine will likely not exist , the runway might be a different surface or jumpers may initiate their jump from a painted or taped mark on the runway . At a smaller meet , the number of attempts might also be limited to four or three . </P>
where do you measure the long jump from
where do you measure the long jump from
perpendicular to the foul line to the nearest break in the sand caused by any part of the body or uniform
perpendicular to the foul line to the nearest break in the sand caused by any part of the body or uniform