How to: Leap Tall Buildings!

Today's segment will teach you to leap tall buildings in a single bound at will. Super Power in humans are considered a myth, but through our step by step guides, these skills can be yours. Firstly, we must highlight - as always - a minimum level of physical fitness to achieve these goals. For the basic requirements and how to attain them, see our Super Strength and Agility entry. For now, we will focus on how one accomplishes this particular feat.
The primary concern when jumping across roof-tops is not failing. Failure means death. Knowing, understanding and accepting this will help lead to success. Five minutes of mental preparation is worth one hour of physical readiness. Faulting on a thirty-two story starting block due to nerves is a costly error. Meditation is a wonderful and helpful resource - see our article Telepathy, Telekinesis and Mind Control for tips on fortifying your mind. The second most important part of mental preparation is the smarts associated with any physical activity. Simply put, knowing the physics behind the problem. Further to this, there are many other minor considerations, which will be discussed below.

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Step 1 : The Physics

To teach someone how to jump across an eight meter gap, at a potential elevation of hundreds of meters or more, they must be taught basic kinetics. Any angle of departure of an object, one that has no increase in power once released, must be forty-five degrees. This angle allows for the mid-points of both vertical and horizontal gain. Meaning, any jump at more than forty-five degrees costs you horizontal distance, and any jump under fort-five degrees costs you some vertical. Speed is of course another major component, one that even has the capability to combat some of the basic rules, but this will be addressed in section 3. Physics is a complicated topic that scares many people, but by understanding the basics - you will soon be running across rooftops, springing across avenues and alleyways.

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Step 2 : Falling

An inevitable part of this Super Power, is falling. I do not refer to a mistake being made and plummeting to death. I refer to the inescapable force of gravity that takes control once you lunge from your precipice. Acceleration due to gravity is quantified as 9.82 meters per second per second. In plain English, you will start falling at 9.82 meters per second faster for each second you are in free-fall. Some basic mathematics, which we will spare you - the future Superman/woman - state that for each meter of horizontal distance one wishes to clear, a vertical distance of one-half meter must be accounted for. Translation: You will drop half a meter for every meter you fly forward. This must be kept under consideration for each jump, and you must only leap from a taller edifice unto a smaller one.

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Step 3 : Technique

One of the most important steps you'll take (no pun intended) to leaping across urban chasms is the technique applied. Remember all those sports you used to play as a kid? Basketball? Soccer? Volleyball? I am certain, that you understand the concept of a running jump. If this isn't ringing a bell, here is a basic breakdown. Priority the first: attain maximum forward velocity. Priority the second: your second last step must be with your dominant leg. Priority the third: lower your center of gravity to mid-height and leap from your off-foot looking upward.
These are the basics to jumping. Speed, Power, Height. Once you have mastered a proper technique, by practicing in a zero-altitude setting of course, you are ready to begin your jumps. One small piece of advice: start small, scale up.

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Step 4 : Success

Now that you've mastered all the aspects to achieving your first Superheroic feat, you are ready to run from gun-toting bandits, escape curious police officers or simply explore your city from a different angle - mid-air. Remember that it all begins with mental preparation, is accompanied by it's peer physical preparation and followed by an understanding of physics, technique and focus. Begin practicing tomorrow and before you know it, people will be wondering how you get home so fast.

Remember: Action breeds Motivation breeds Action!

Today's Link: Relax! - http://www.theteaemporium.com/

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