CANT GET SHOULDERS BACK!!!!!

[UNCW Vaulter]

Not being able to drop your shoulders is a factor of not driving upwards into the bend and not loading the pole adequately. Don't think about "working" to get inverted. ALL of the work is done before it is time to get inverted.
1. Run fast and under control.
2. Be powerful and explosive at plant and make sure you are in good position with your head up and your lead arm and knee driving.
3. MOST IMPORTANT - while you are loading the pole, stay directly behind the bend of the pole as you are driving up and in. You should feel like you are "chasing the bend".

If you stay behind the pole in a driving position with your knee up and your tail leg back, your body will simply whip up and into position. It is only if you allow your body to come through too early (usually a product of a weak plant, or being under with your step) that you will have to work hard to get into position. Getting inverted in the air is 100% a factor of what you do on the ground and at take-off.

Here is some great advice from a 5 meter guy from University of Pennsylvania:

http://www.polevault.com/coach/messages/71.html