This lesson introduces Dr. James Hay’s critical classification of triple jump techniques into three main styles: hop-dominated, jump-dominated, and balanced. Using precise phase percentage breakdowns, Hay defined these styles based on how much each phase—hop, step, and jump—contributed to the overall jump. Through in-depth biomechanical analysis of elite-level performances, Hay discovered a compelling pattern: even athletes categorized as hop-dominant achieved their longest jumps when their technique shifted closer to a balanced model. This insight emphasizes the competitive advantage of a more evenly distributed effort across all three phases, shaping a core coaching principle in triple jump development.