Help!! I keep on turning around after take off!

[andy94566]

So I just started to pole vault and I have practiced the approach run, plant, and how you need to row with your arms, and also the swing after the figure "4." However, during practice, after i take off and swing, my body would twist so that for example, when i land on the pit my toe would be facing the left side and my head would be facing the right. I kept on trying to keep straight but it just wouldn't work! Does anyone have any tips and ideas on how to fix this ?

[rainbowgirl28]

Can you land straight in the sand pit?

[PVR]

Have someone watch your top arm as you swing. If you are pulling (bending) it during your swing phase, it will pull your shoulders out of alignment (not parallel with each other) which will cause your upward swing to change direction, wrapping you around the pole.

[andy94566]

Yes, i can land straight when im on the sand pit and when im just doing regular figure 4s on the pit

[yankee814]

Lower your hand grip a little bit and gradually do that until you can land straight while swinging, then once you get it try to move back up!

[MattM]

In addition to what has already been said, make sure that you're not roundhousing when you plant.