What safety principle should you apply when landing from leaps?

• A. Land With Straight Knees And Locked Turnout
• B. Jump Higher And Stiff
• C. Absorb Impact With Bent Knees And Stacked Turnout To Protect Joints
• D. Land With Knees Soft But Turnout Not Considered

Answer: (C)

Absorbing the impact with bent knees and keeping the turnout stacked is the safest principle when landing from leaps. Bending the knees acts like a shock absorber, allowing the muscles to take in the force gradually rather than letting it slam into the joints. Keeping turnout stacked means the leg stays in proper alignment as you land—the knee tracks over the foot and remains rotated outward, so the joints (ankle, knee, hip) stay in a stable line and are protected from twisting or collapsing inward. This combination distributes the load more safely and reduces the risk of injury.

Landing with straight knees and locked turnout does not allow your body to absorb the energy, increasing the chance of joint strain or hyperextension. Jumping higher and remaining stiff eliminates the controlled absorption you need central to a safe landing. Landing with knees soft but turnout not considered lacks the necessary alignment, which can place uneven stress on the joints and undermine safety.