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Rolf Beilschmidt clearing 2.25 metres (7 ft 4.6 in) indoors in 1977

The straddle technique was the dominant technique in the high jump before the development of the Fosbury flop, which is used by today's jumpers. The last world record jump with the straddle technique was Vladimir Yashtshenko's 2.34 metres (7 ft 8.1 in) in 1978. That was improved upon in 1980 by a flopper, Jacek Wszola of Poland. All of the subsequent record holders have used a flopping technique. There is some debate over which of the two techniques is more efficient in clearing of the bar. Although both have advantages and disadvantages, the Fosbury flop is considered by many easier to learn, especially for children, and thus has become the dominant technique.

There existed two variants of the straddle: the parallel straddle and a more diving version. With the parallel straddle head and trunk passed the bar at the same time; John Thomas (silver medal at the 1964 Olympics) used this technique. Valeriy Brumel (gold in 1964) dove a little bit, his head going over the bar before his trunk.

In 1993, an American high jumper Steve Harkins brought back the 'Straddle' style in the Master's over-40 division to break the Master's World Record and then went on to beat a 'flopper' at the World Championships in Miyazaki Japan. Harkins used the 'head down first' style as did Brumel.