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Aren't some substances in energy drinks banned by the NCAA? Yes, stimulants including caffeine (guarana) are banned by the NCAA. I've seen a medal stripped at the Big Ten meet a few years back for caffeine, after officials tested immediately after the race. Just search for "banned substances&q...

I've had the same problem at practices... I only catch a jump out of the corner of my eye because I'm giving feedback to the previous vaulter. I don't see this as negligent, just a product of being the only coach with over a dozen vaulters. Feedback is great, and a coach should try to give some ever...

The best reason to pole vault is because it is fun. Your goals for competition may guide you to focus on one sport or another, but vault because you enjoy it. If you want to be good, it will take some time. Be ready for that. Start with the fundamentals of the run and pole carry. Take the time to lo...

I actually see a lot of advantages to the pole push. Like you mentioned, you can use your bottom arm to help run and get that extra impulse on takeoff. I think crosswinds are actually more manageable lower to the ground, but you might need to bring that bottom hand back to help in the very windy cas...

Hahaha, love that video, Kirk. And you're probably right, the three steps are not really necessary since you can accomplish all of the "pre-loading" with two. It would take a beast of an athlete to maintain body posture as the pole begins to pressure your top hand. I think that's the bigge...

I am, in fact, a rocket scientist (no jokes necessary) who has used these equations before. Be aware that they have limitations! Conservation of energy assumes a closed system where energy is neither created nor destroyed. Linthorne made this assumption in the flexible pole study Linthorne, N.P. (19...

Since you are still new to the sport, you have the advantage of still being impressionable. It may feel strange vaulting either left or right handed, but that happens regardless of what your dominant hand/foot combination is. I cannot give a concrete answer either way, but I would suggest vaulting r...

No time for run throughs either. Make sure you're completely warmed up and ready to go when the time comes. I'm sure the adrenaline will take over anyway
Good luck!

Pecs are the weakest link. I must tell you that we did not measure the relative strength of the muscle groups that participate in the movement due to lack of funds and equipment available for pole vault research, however we have conducted an extensive empirical research that led us to believe that ...

Just be sure that you do center the pole about 7-8 steps out then allow the pole tip to fall into the box over your last ~6 steps.

When you take your first step, your pole tip should not be inbetween your shoulders. In fact, (if you are right handed) it should be off to the left a little bit. Agreed. It actually helps your speed because even though your pole is not centered, your shoulders are square to the runway. That allows...

In the long run he is better of utilizing a full swing. Sounds like they both need to develop their core strength. A high bar is nearly as important as a pole for vaulting. If you don't have one at your facilities, find a place they can go on their own (like a park or pullup bar at home) to work on ...