PoleVaultPower.com

Really, you are looking great. That 15' clearance was nice.

Are we talking about Beginner to Bubka?

Cool. Thanks for the replies.
Josh

altius wrote:
Simple answer - NO!

Would you mind giving me the long answer?

I've been looking at a lot of video and can't help but notice that great athletes who are dedicated to the sport but are using 14'-14"6 pole are limited by the amount of time that they have to both execute proper technique and or to transfer the maximum amount of energy into the pole from takeo...

Are you doing any drills? Three or four step plant drills? Are you working with a slide box? Or are you just spending your practices trying to do full jump attempts?
Maybe you need some time where the actually jump is taken out of the equation.
Josh

While there is much similarity in the take off, I notice that when compared to this clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYaBPDTrVuI Bubka keeps his left leg nearly strait for the entire swing, and the thrusting of the hips up to his top hand happens significantly earlier with seems to transfer far ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z5UWD9mWzY&NR=1

I've been looking at some videos tonight. I found this video, and would like to know if what you see at 30-37sec is what is considered free take off? He is definitely off the ground before the pole begins to be engaged.
Josh

I looked at the videos that you have posted on the forum. Besides the fact that you are planting under, which you know, it looks like you need to be jumping at the take off. From my untrained eye it looks like you fail to really jump off your last foot placement. When you take off the pole sags with...

It would seem to me that the reason is that 13' 6"-14' are at or above the vaulters handholds. Do you have any videos to share, or some basic info about your self and your pole?

I vaulted in HS and hope to be able to join a local club next summer. What books would you all recommend that I read on the subject. I am particularly interested in the concept of a free take off.

Thanks,
Josh

So the pole selection would start at the best estimate on any particular day. As you use that pole and loosen up more and more you may find you are blowing through it and then move up to compensate. Also, do you see problems with planting under if when moving up you move up in pole length and grip h...