Page 1 of 1
Pole Handle Difference!
Posted: Thu May 06, 2004 7:42 pm
by sdvaulter06
Hi, I am an 11'6" vaulter for one of the smallest pole vaulting schools in the state of South Dakota! I Weigh about 130 lbs and am on a 130 lb Altius! The pole is 13'1 1/2"! I Can get up on this pole! I vaulted 11'6" at a meet on monday, yet now In practice I can't get on the back of it! When I hold 2 hand holds lower, I dont bend it as much but get just as high, if not a little higher! Do you think it is ok to put your hand hold down every now and again! Also, Do you believe in a vault with with too much speed? Thanks! Lance
Posted: Thu May 06, 2004 10:11 pm
by das_1971
yes, that is exactly right
Posted: Fri May 07, 2004 11:51 am
by wacky274
never fear lowering your grip! sometimes you just have to do it, and you might just possibly be able to jump a little higher then you expected by doing so.
Posted: Thu May 13, 2004 8:45 am
by Vaulter1080
From the sounds of it, the 130 pole you're jumping on has become too soft for your developing run. Holding lower has the effect of using a shorter, stiffer pole. I did the same on some of my poles. I would use a pole just above my weight, but hold like a foot down (on a 14' pole). So you may want to try using any 135 or 140 poles (if you have any). I highly recommend against starting out on the top of these poles however (I've learned from experience). Try starting out within 2 inches of where you are holding now and work your way up if the pole seems to be working for you.
A lot of times, including myself, higher jumps don't come from longer poles, but from better form. I know with me, after I try jumping with a higher grip and then moving down about 6", my steps get a lot closer to where they should be, improving my takeoff and how well I can actually jump off the runway, which also helps with an improved loading of the pole, swing, and invert with the timing of the pole.
Posted: Thu May 13, 2004 11:44 pm
by sdvaulter06
We'll the pole I'm on is a 130 13'3" pole and i have a 140 12'4" should i try the 140?
Posted: Sat May 22, 2004 2:49 pm
by Kolber
ya try it... im about 120 lbs and i jumped 11 ft with a 12 ft pole
yes
Posted: Sat May 22, 2004 4:01 pm
by Bruce Caldwell
sdvaulter06 wrote:We'll the pole I'm on is a 130 13'3" pole and i have a 140 12'4" should i try the 140?
YES
the 12'4" pole should be the same relative stiffness or close to it but easier to accomplsh bending as you are higher above the center of the sail structure. give it a try you could PR. might start looking for a 12'4 145-150 right away as you progress