How many attempts do you get in the long jump and throws?
Under World Athletics rules each athlete gets three attempts, and the best eight after three get three more, six in all. With eight or fewer athletes, everyone gets six. Many school and club meets use three or four.
Fouls and passes
A foul (X) uses up the attempt and scores no mark. An athlete can also pass (–) and save the attempt. The result is the best valid attempt; ties go to the second-best mark, then the third.
Writing a series
A series is written attempt by attempt: 6.71 / X / 6.88 / – / 7.02 / 6.95. The best mark leads the result, and the series shows how the athlete got there.
Sources: World Athletics Book of Rules: Competition and Technical Rules. Updated 2026-10-31.