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Our high school requires that the weight rating match the weight of the vaulter. However, no one else in any of the meets abides by these rules. The coaches seem to look the other way. This puts our vaulters at a disadvantage, and it is not until the State meets that anyone gets weighed. What up with these ratings, and why are they enforced so unevenly?

The pole weight rating does not have to match the weight of the vaulter, it can be anything above the vaulters weight also. Sounds like your coach's need a rule book. At most all major meets athletes are weighed and the correct poles need to be used for the safety of the vaulter. As far as the rule not enforced all the time, it just is not do to the lack of help at most meets and the official's knowing and enforcing the rule.

The enforcement varies by State. Some state weigh kids fairly regularly during the season, other states never weigh them and just have the coaches sign a form. If the coach signs the form, and the games committee/state association hasn't mandated a weigh-in, there's nothing the official can do as long as the athlete is on a pole that is rated at or above their listed weight.

If you feel like your kids are at a disadvantage, my guess is you need shorter poles.

The pole weight rating does not have to match the weight of the vaulter, it can be anything above the vaulters weight also. Sounds like your coach's need a rule book.

pretty sure thats not what he meant




but you are at no disadvantage.... you are used to vaulting on legal poles and will be able to jump at big meets where your compition will not if they weigh too much. Also if they are using a pole under their weight then they are probably not vaulting too high anyway.