PoleVaultPower.com

Yesterday on several channels, including this link from CBS news, we see 87 year old Adolf Hoffman pole vaulting with my coach Kris Allison at his place in New Braunfels, Texas. Looks like a promo for the Senior Olympics combined with human interest.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6518233n

Absolutely Awesome! Kick some butt Adolph!

He's lookin' good. So how close is he to his 8' goal?

I have seen him jump quite a bit and, though he can be hit and miss, I've seen him show up to meets and start at 8' without a warm up and make it easy. That's been a few years. My coach, Kris Allison, is his coach so maybe he can jump in and answer that question. Bubba

Here's another link off of CNN since sometimes the CBS link stalls. Bubba
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/living ... ens?hpt=T2

It's been a lot of fun coaching Adolph the past year. Definitely a challenge. His goal in coming to me was to learn how to bend the pole. He is always on the fence about Whether to stay with his bamboo-style technique and slide his bottom hand up to his top or keep his hands apart. He's still getting used to bending the pole (minimally) and not pulling down, but he reps 6' - 7' in practice. Hasn't been over 8'0 in a few years and is pretty hard on himself about it!

Maybe a bigger pole with less bend will be a nice in between and get him back to 8' coach? That one in the video looked mushy. That's a problem I want - blowing through poles when I'm 87. Great job Kris!! Bubba

Mushy might be good for an 87-year-old. Saves the shoulder, and keeps you moving horiz with a higher grip.

If and when I'm vaulting at 87, I'm gonna want LOTS of bend!

Kirk

http://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/vid ... red|recent

Just after 4.00 minutes in.

Poor Adolph...he didn't appreciate "that crack" Jay Leno made!