PoleVaultPower.com

In the summer AAU meets may I have my middle school vaulter hold at the top of this UCS spirit pole. He really needs to hold there to bend the pole better. I ordered a pole for him and it may be a little stiff for him right now to get on this pole. I know back in the 90's when I went to the AAU meets in the summer I saw kids capping 15ft poles in the AAU meets.

Any feedback would be great.
Thanks

I'm not sure the rule for AAU meets, but in high school youre not allowed to hold higher than the weight sticker. Just remember, though, its pole vaulting not pole bending. The focus shouldn't be on bending the pole.

I just may have ordered a wee bit stiff of a pole for him, right now. Once he gets a little stronger it won't be a problem. But as of right now, he really needs that extra 6 inches to make the pole a little weaker for him to vault on effectively. Its too bad that UCS stickers are 6-7inches from the top of the pole. For highschoolers this is a bummer, since they can't hold above the label. Although every other Pole brand LATELY has been making their sticker right at the top. And not only that but the sticker itself is only 3/4 of an inch big. This allows the vaulters to literally hold at the max grip possible. I would like to see UCS to start putting there Stickers at the top of poles like every other pole company.

Although post highschool it doesn't matter where you hold.
I like UCS poles and my vaulter is jumping well but I wish they would move that sticker up towards the top.


But if anyone knows if its ok to hold at the top of the pole in AAU meets then let me know. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks

I think AAU just follows USATF rules. USATF rules do not prohibit this, but they have different rules for youth so it might be in there?

Contact your local AAU Association and find out what rules they are using.

Unless they have recently changed the rules on this, your vaulters can hold anywhere they want at AAU or USATF.

I thought they could because I have seen it in AAU competition before.

Thanks a lot