Straddle technique flop is considered by many easier to learn, especially for younger jumpers, and thus has become the dominant technique. In 1993, an American high jumper Steve Harkins brought back the straddle style in the Master's division to break the Master's World Record and then went on to win the World's, beating a 'flopper' at the World Championships in Miyazaki Japan. Harkins used the 'head down first' style as did Brumel. At 6 '7" at the U.S. National Championships in Bozeman, Montana; in March 1993, Harkins was the highest jumper ever in the Master's to have used the straddle style. Straddle
Straddle technique jumper crosses the bar face down, with legs straddling it. With this clearance position, the straddle has a mechanical advantage over the western roll, since it is possible to clear a bar that is higher relative to the jumper's center of mass. In simple terms, the western roll jumper has to raise the width of the body above the bar; the straddle jumper has only to get the thickness of the body above it. There are two variants of the straddle: the parallel straddle and a more diving version. With the parallel straddle, the lead leg is kicked high and