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heya, i need some help with my hand grip... this is my first year vaulting and at my first meet i cleared 7.0 then 7.6 and the last saturday 8.0, i progressed really well but now i feel like im stuck, i have good speed but my hands tend to slip an awful lot, im not sure how to fix this problem, i feel like im holding on really tight but my hands move anyway, if you know of anyway to help me let me know!!!! thanks!!

Without knowing your stats (how tall, length of pole, how high is your grip, etc) the general rule of thumb is that you will slide down the pole nearly the same amount the you are "under" on your take-off!! Try to start where your hands end up after sliding. Don't change your step. See if you slide now. If not gradually move your step and grip up. Have someone catch your step to make sure your not over striding.....That usually works for the new vaulters I coach.

my pole is 12'6" and its a 125 (i weigh about 115), im holding about 10 feet up so my coach says that i should vault as high as my top hand but im stuck at 8'6" because my hands slip, does that help any? could it be a lack of strength to pull myself up?

do you feel like your hands are slipping because you can't get a good grip on the pole??

No, it 's not a function of your strength. It's about the correct combination of speed, grip, step, and take-off. Go back to my last post and TRY my suggestion. Slipping on the pole is nearly 98% due to being too close to the box (being under) when you plant. Try dropping your grip to the point it stops slipping....leaving your step where it is....and you should be able to get in without slipping. Then gradually move your grip up and back. The ratio is : for every 4 inches you move up move back a foot! don't question it just trust it and it will work.......

alright, ill try that tonite at practice, thanks a bunch!! and i tell ya how it works out!!

If you're not taking off 'under' - then its likely you're slipping because you're currently holding too high. First check/fix your step - and if the problem still persists, then you should probably lower your grip.