Skip to main content

An athlete uses physics to shatter world records - Asaf Bar-Yosef

  • 2,047,039 Views
  • 11,732 Questions Answered
  • TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

When Dick Fosbury couldn't compete against the skilled high jumpers at his college, he tried jumping in a different way -- backwards. Fosbury improved his record immediately and continued to amaze the world with his new technique all the way to Olympic gold. Asaf Bar-Yosef explains the physics behind the success of the now dominant Fosbury Flop.


Customize this lesson239

Create and share a new lesson based on this one.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Asaf Bar-Yosef
  • Animator Mike Schell
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
Additional Resources for you to Explore
Dick Fosbury's gold medal jump in 1968.
In order to see how modern day high jumpers use the Fosbury Flop watch this slow motion video of high jumpers.
If you want to understand how to find the center of mass of two objects in a mathematical form, visit this website. (The website features a nice simulation and the basic mathematical calculations for the center of mass of two objects.)
In this website you can find the center of mass of many two and three dimensions objects.
Some articles about the physical aspects of the Fosbury Flop.
From setback and injury to an Olympic gold medal -- see how confidently making decisions led one bobsledder down an unexpected pathway to victory.
1 Guided Discussion
7 Open Discussions
TED-Ed
Lesson Creator
New York, NY
Can you think of more examples for physical principles that changed the way athletes perform in s...
The Fosbury Flop is an exciting example of how a physical principle can improve the achievements accomplished by athletes.
02/14/2014 • 
 14 Responses
 / 14 Updates
View discussion

Customize this lesson

Create and share a new lesson based on this one.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Asaf Bar-Yosef
  • Animator Mike Schell
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

More from Before and After Einstein