How to work back bend over bar? (High Jump)

[HJBeast]

I'm the white kid in this video:

+ YouTube Video

Besides me 4 stepping (was supposed to be 3, but I kind of do a short first step)/being slow in the run-up, my back bend over the bar completely sucks.

Anyone have any tips to fix this with specific exercises? I try to do back bends on the ground a lot to work my lower back flexibility, but what can I do for other exercises?

I think it's almost like a fear of the bar because I can bend my back more. When I jump, though, I kinda lean to the side and don't bend as much as I want to.

[hjfrick]

One of the easiest ways to create rotation is to hold your knee drive. If you are slow to the bar it's one of the best ways to jump high, just watch Derek Drouin jump. Other than that, worrying about form over the bar should be pretty low on the list. If you watch the pros (especially the Americans) plenty of them have TERRIBLE form over. If I were to make a quick priority list, it would look like this:

1.Get in shape
2.Run a consistent approach
3.Get strong
...
50.Worry about technique over the bar

That being said, some things you could try are standing back-overs and jumping off a box.

[hjfrick]

Double post:
I'm the white kid in these videos. My form over the bar is meh at best. It works.

+ YouTube Video

+ YouTube Video

[jpac511]

Frick is completely right. Also, simple physics tells us this: the flight path is determined at takeoff. So working on your plant and takeoff would be more beneficial. Building on that, your approach determines your takeoff.

In all field events, things build on each other, so I'd say once you have a perfect approach and takeoff, then worry about your form over the bar.

[wineturtle]

1963 Millrose Games
The Garden is hushed- an extra spot is on the HJ bar- the circle of light extending out far enough to see Valery Brumel sitting with his back to the bar not watching John Thomas straddle 7'1" .
Brumel wins at 7'2'.
Brumel's straddle had a head over first component to it while John was perfectly parallel to the bar.

found a tape of it-

http://backup.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=81462



edit;
John Thomas has officiated the Millrose HJ since he retired.
Distance icon Bill Rodgers comes down from Boston every year to see the Millrose Games, always meeting up with long time friend and 2x NYCM winner Tom Fleming (LLer TFFlyer). I've had the privilege of joining them a couple of times. One year Bill's first remark after the normal howzitgoings was--- I rode the train down with John Thomas- how cool it that!- I spent the trip talking do John Thomas!!!--- in the course of the evening he must have mentioned it seven or eight times.
Even icons have icons.

[jpac511]

Some perspective from the great Boo Schexnayder

http://completetrackandfield.com/hj-back-arch/