Flop clears more height for the same vertical
A Fosbury flopper with a 36-inch vertical can clear 7-foot bars because the body arches over while the center of mass passes under. The same athlete scissoring tops out at maybe 6'0".
The Fosbury flop is the technique every competitive high jumper uses. The scissor kick is the technique most kids start with. The flop clears more height because it lets the center of mass pass under the bar; the scissor forces it over. Below: how the two compare, and how to make the switch cleanly.
A Fosbury flopper with a 36-inch vertical can clear 7-foot bars because the body arches over while the center of mass passes under. The same athlete scissoring tops out at maybe 6'0".
Almost every flopper starts with the scissor in middle school. It teaches takeoff timing, approach rhythm, and bar awareness without the back-first risk. The switch usually happens once a mat is reliable.
The flop requires a real high jump pit and a coach who can teach back-first landings. Doing it on a thin mat or on grass is unsafe. The scissor is fine until then.
The transition from scissor to flop is technical but trainable. Film an early flop attempt, AI grades J-curve, takeoff angle, and back-arch sequence. Most athletes need 4-6 sessions to clean up the flop fundamentals.
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