PoleVaultPower.com

So guys i tried going to about 9ft today on my second week, on i'd say a 10ft poll-to maybe a 13ft pole about 135.... now the delmma (sp?) is that i have no bend AT ALL in the pole but i think i'm about 3lbs heavier than it (I KNOW that REALLY unsafe) but we are at a lack of 140 poles so i just use this one, the thing is though that even though i'm slightly over this poles weight i stiff pole it all the time!!! so i end up just forcing my way over the bar (8'6" record) and i feel as if i am just muscling it and not really using the pole to it's full potential!!! what aspects of the run/plant/take off/ ANYTHING could i do to get the pole to cooperate/bend a lil'? or even just utalize it more, i think whats happening is that i am not using my trail leg nor am i really DRIVING the knee, i'm posting video tomoro for you guys to see of my meet until then any tips and pointers would be nice.

I'm going off of a 5 step right run
just so yah know

vaulting on a pole under your body weight is not unsafe as long as you know what you are doing....if the pole is overbending and its under your weight then that is unsafe but if the pole isnt bending or bending very little then it is safe...

i would say that the best things to do is try and maximize your speed down the runway many vaulters "jog" down the runway rather than at a controlled sprint and the other thing is just trying to keep your left arm pushing out against the pole till it will bend becuase it will happen eventually and if you are dropping your trail leg then you are really droping all part of the drive phase of the jump....a video will allow everyone on here to help you more

at this point, if you've only been vauting for a few weeks, don't worry about trying to bend the pole. As your form progresses, you will find that the pole will start to bend before you even know it.

Anyway, 3lbs over weight on a pole for you is nothing to worry about. Like said above, the only time you need to worry about safety is when you overbend the pole. If you're not bending, it pretty much doesn't matter.

SO sorry i was supposed to post video today but i got sick overnight and did'nt compete, HOWEVER i would've swept competition (other schools top PR was 7'6") but there top guy who clears 10'6" was sick so we did good anyways, next meet is friday hopefully i can get a vid up then.... i think the problem is my knee's just come up to my chest and then i throw legs over and arch. Is it actually nessasary for you to do the technique at only 8ft?? i wouldn't think so until about 10ft, am i right?

i didnt get inverted until the end of my fresh. year and i cleared 11'6 by doing the same thing but it would be easier in the long run to work on proper form as soon as you can, that way you can go up to higher heights sooner

you always want good form! The earlier you learn the form, the better you will be in the long run. Work on form first, then height secondary. Your form is what will make you jump higher. So, yes. Form is important. And, you want to go over the crossbar on your stomach, not on your back

SO guys i just did a analyisis of my self and i really DO NOT want to post it on here cause i go over it like a pommel horse. I basically run and drive knee WITH PERFECT DRIVE position, but after that my trail leg goes to crap and just kinda hangs i then throw my right knee over the bar STRADDLE the damn bar and flip over it, lol i matched my PR that way tomoro the girls have a meet so i will have to cut a lil short on PV practice (however i've been lacking on my distance training becuae i'm so obsessed)i'll try to throw both feet over and go on my stomach and NOT my back because i also realized in not focusing i completely threw away my form for like 10 runs!!! I;m gonna go review my favorite youtube vids on PV catch yah guys lata!

why not post the video?? All it will do is help...we won't make fun of you here

oh you see i'm not nervous, lol i just am having a bit o technical dificulties getting it on my computer. i've read reviews on this site and am not nervous of bein made fun of i actually do some awkward things when it comes to air time, lol there should be a new thread in vid review forum soon!!! (As soon as this damn camera cooperates)

You need to get in the sand pit and work on the basics. More people are doing it and it has helped them lot. Also forget about bending the pole. It will bend when you are able to hold high enough for it to bend. About 4' over your standing grip from 2 lefts outs.

Rick Baggett
WSTC LLC

You all need to get in the sand pit to learn how to vault.

Rick Baggett
WSTC LLC