How are long jump take-off areas set, measured and judged for failures?

Question

Accepted Answer

Take-off area Under 9 and Under 10: a 0.5m x 1.22m mat covered with damp sand, soft earth or similar so the foot imprint can be seen. It is placed at most 0.5m from the nearer edge of the landing area. Under 11 and above: a 0.2m x 1.22m area, a board sunk level with the runway or painted on it. A strip of plasticine or similar (for example damp sand) up to 7mm high may be placed just beyond the take-off line. The take-off line is 1m to 2m from the nearer edge of the landing area. If no board or painted area is available, a mat may be used. All ages in classes T11 and T12: a 1.00m x 1.22m mat covered with damp sand or similar. Where possible the runway is at least 40m long. The landing area is 2.75m to 3m wide, filled with soft damp sand level with the take-off board. Measuring Under 11 and above: the shortest distance from the nearest break in the landing area to the front edge of the take-off area, perpendicular to it. Under 9 and Under 10: if any part of the foot lands on the take-off mat, measure to the imprint made by the take-off foot. If no part of the foot lands on it, measure to the edge of the mat furthest from the landing area. Failures include: any part of the take-off foot or shoe over the vertical plane of the front edge of the take-off area; landing and touching the ground outside the landing area nearer the take-off than the nearest break; first contact on leaving the area nearer the take-off line than the nearest break; walking back through the landing area; taking off from outside either end of the take-off area; and any somersaulting. Taking off before reaching the take-off area is not a failure for that reason. Shoelaces, caps and jewellery are not relevant when judging the vertical plane.