PoleVaultPower.com

I have heard differing viewpoints on this topic.

Here is my question:

When planting should the bottom arm be straight or bent? I have looked at many pictures of good high school and elite vaulters who have it slightly cocked to give resistance. I have been told to press both arms straight up while planting. Is this only for a split second?, because i find myself having my bottom arm (I am a lefty by the way) bent/cocked at take off and contriling throguh a good part of the vault. It hasn't seemed to restrain me on my pole yet, but could this affect it later? Will it be easier to press both arms up and hold both out for longer on bigger poles? Should i hold up longer on bigger poles? This is all so confusing

not this topic again

no no, I'm not wondering which way to jump, I'm just wondering if i should have a bent bottom arm

The most important thing is that you don't collapse your arm at takeoff b/c that just absorbs energy instead of putting it into the pole. So you should be trying to get as tall as possible at takeoff. The bottom arm can be over-emphasized however. I was taught to "lock-out" my bottom arm which lead to me blocking out my swing. You have to be tall at takeoff but then break in your arm as you swing upside down. Your grip could be too wide and causing problems?

It doesn't have to be perfectly straight though. Looking at the picture on the back of one of my Pacer t-shirts it shows Hartwig planting and his arm is bent a little bit but he is extremely tall at the takeoff.

just remember that the longer the pole your jumping on, the straighter your arm needs to be at take off for your step to be on. If your bottom arm is locked and taller then your top arm, thats bad. If your bottom arm is bent so that its pulling down, thats bad. find a happy medium