Holding the screen for the first time will make you squat, where you go low and slowly lean back, with how far you lean determining your launch distance. Tapping the icon in the bottom left will change the direction you face.

It's simple at first, but will actually require some mastery. You'll also want to be able to make short, higher jumps depending on the sort of distances you must traverse.

How you tuck in the air with a second tap will also alter that distance.