Editing Long jump (section)

==Rules==
[[File:Wind indicator in long jump area at TNT - Fortuna Meeting in Kladno 16June2010 118.jpg|thumb|An indicator of wind direction and a device for measuring wind speed (here +2.6&nbsp;m/s) along a run-up track]]
At the elite level, competitors run down a runway (usually coated with the same [[All-weather running track|rubberized surface]] as running tracks, [[crumb rubber]] or [[vulcanized rubber]], known generally as an [[all-weather track]]) and jump as far as they can from a wooden or synthetic board, 20&nbsp;centimetres or 8&nbsp;inches wide, that is built flush with the runway, into a pit filled with soft damp 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. To detect this occurrence, a layer of [[plasticine]] is placed at a 90° angle immediately after the board. An official (similar to a [[referee]]) will also watch the jump and make the determination. In recent times, [[laser|laser sensors]] and [[high-speed camera|camera technology]] have replaced the plasticine at elite competitions (like [[Diamond League]] meetings). 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.

Each competitor has a set number of attempts. That would normally be three trials, with three additional jumps being awarded to the best eight or nine (depending on the number of lanes on the track at that facility, so the event is equatable to track events) competitors. All valid attempts will be recorded but only the best mark counts towards the results. The competitor with the longest valid jump (from either the trial or final rounds) is declared the winner at the end of competition. In the event of an exact tie, then comparing the next best jumps of the tied competitors will be used to determine place. In a large, multi-day elite competition (like the [[Olympic Games|Olympics]] or [[IAAF World Championships in Athletics|World Championships]]), a qualification is held in order to select at least 12 finalists. Ties and automatic qualifying distances are potential factors. In the final, a set of trial round jumps will be held, with the best eight performers advancing to the final rounds. (For specific rules and regulations in United States Track & Field see Rule 185)<ref name="usatf">{{cite web| url = http://www.usatf.com/about/rules/2006/| title = USATF – 2006 Competition Rules| access-date = 29 October 2006| publisher = USA Track & Field| url-status = dead| archive-date = 2 November 2006| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061102014358/http://www.usatf.com/about/rules/2006/2006USATFRules_Article3.pdf}}:*See Rule 185 in </ref>

For record purposes, the maximum accepted [[wind assistance]] is {{convert|2|m/s|mph|spell=in}}.

===Take-off-zone reform===
[[World Athletics]] has considered fundamental rule changes to the long jump. In a test phase starting with the 2025 indoor season, athletes will now take off from a wider zone instead of the traditional take-off board. This new 40-centimetre take-off zone was introduced by World Athletics to reduce the number of invalid attempts (around 30%) that have been common in recent years. The international athletics governing body believes that the new take-off zone will not only improve fairness and excitement for the athletes but also provide a more thrilling experience for the audience.<ref name="take-off zone">{{cite web|title=The long jump revamp begins with a Take-Off Zone trial in Dusseldorf this weekend|url=https://olympics.com/en/featured-news/long-jump-athletics-rules-history-world-records-olympics-techniques|last=Watta|first=Evelyn|date=5 February 2025|access-date=8 February 2025|website=olympics.com|publisher=[[International Olympic Committee|IOC]]}}</ref>

Traditionally, the jump distance is measured from the foul line to the nearest break in the sand. Under the new trial, the measurement will instead be taken from the exact point where the jumper's front foot leaves the zone.<ref name="take-off zone"/> Consequently, the effective jump distance is crucial for the outcome of the competition.

During the test phase, the jumps will also be recorded according to the traditional rules and will therefore be eligible for records and top lists.