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I am specifically interested in Missouri high school info but would welcome input about other state h/s rules.
I am interested in "rule" or discussion on changing the current rule concerning a vaulter leaving the ground and not clearing the bar.
Situation:
A vaulter has started the approach, before the plant he aborts the attempt by slowing down then plants the pole in the box and uses it to stop his forward momentum. In doing this his feet leave the ground. At no time does vaulter or pole make contact beyond the vertical plane of the box.
IS THIS A FOUL?
I dont have a rule book with me but I believe the current MSHSAA rule reads something like:
It is a foul if the vaulter leaves the ground in an attempt and fails to clear the crossbar.
This rule has been interpreted to mean the above mentioned situation is a foul.
I know I have heard of discussion of changing the rule to allow for an "aborted" attempt but have not seen it in rule.
Will appreciate any input within Missouri or beyond.

Has to do with the intent of the vaulter, easy call.

"if the vaulter leaves the ground in an attempt"

This to me suggests that if he leaves the ground while aborting a jump, it is not a foul. I would say that if the take off is strong enough to suggest effort in the jump, and they leave the ground, its a foul. If they show signs such as collapsed arms, straight legs, and no jumping off the ground; simply leaving the ground as a result of access speed, it is not a foul.

in Missouri if both feet leave the ground it is counted as a scratch

It has changed a lot over the years. In Tennessee high school it is a miss if both feet come off the ground. However, the AAU rules allow the athlete to come back on the runway without considering it a miss!

WillinghamPV wrote:in Missouri if both feet leave the ground it is counted as a scratch

Correct me if I'm wrong but don't all states follow the rules of the NFHS? I can understand how there could be a difference of opinion but has MO decided how this rule must be interpreted and forced it on all schools? This question has been around for several years. I don't understand why NFHS doesn't write a clarification ruling.

When I run the vault (in Oregon), the situation described in the original post would not be considered a foul.

- master

there are two differnt rule books USATF and HIGH SCHOOL FEDERATION

main difference....usatf u have to cross the plane for a miss and high school its if ur feet leave the ground and you can bring the standards up to 40 in usatf and only 45 in high school

Old Catapoler is correct about what the rule book actually states. It's completely a judgement call and should not (if the judge understands the rules) be considered an attempt.

In Montana it is not an attempt, we clarified/changed that rule last season. Why do states have different referees (such as Montana Officials Association) if we follow the same rules? I think our rules are based on the NFHS rules, but not exactly the same.

Some states use the NFHS rule book like my state and others have their own rule book in addition to the NFHS. I would not count that as a miss but it is a judgement call. I personally think USATF, NFHS, NCAA, AAU should all be the same.

All the official organizations should get together and make an effort to make the rules the same. Leaving the ground in an "attempt" to vault and getting lifted off the ground in an abort situation can be a tough call sometimes, most of the time it's pretty clear the vaulter has slowed down and has doubts. Different officials and different enforcement. I hope your athlete didn't get a bum call, it does seem to be a big part of this event.

where i vault if we even plant the pole it is counted as a miss and i thought you could do that, even if you dont break the plane i just sometimes get frustrated