PoleVaultPower.com

dont know who this is or where they are at. Just saw video on youtube a minute ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQzebXCIPTM

Anybody ever try this or have any take on its effectiveness or problmes?

I guess it depends on what you're trying to accomplish with this springboard. Personally, I think it's just a crutch, and doesn't simulate a real vault, so why bother?

But if anyone can suggest a specific reason for using it, then maybe ...

Kirk

we've busted it out at my school practices before. the only advantage that i got from it was that it gave me a visual spot for where my last step should be, so it kept me from being under like i am a lot. beyond that all i got from it was that it was making it so that i didnt have to jump since its got the springs and all. I was also having the problem that it was making my pole move too fast to complete a vault well. basically i just found it as something fun to do

You probably looked down at it... One step forward (but maybe not even that) and one step back... Time wasted.

yeah probably, i mean im not gonna deny it. i probably was looking down at it cause i was petrified of missing it

i think it makes you rely on the upspring for lift when you should focus on making your own lift. Ive seen raised boxes at the plant but its terrible for your knees, throws off your natural last step, and only helps you get on bigger poles holding higher.

I've seen a few videos from this account on youtube that fequently use spring boards.
http://www.youtube.com/user/JaviNavass

For example these videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtk0XfC2 ... annel_page
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uTOCrZB ... annel_page (1 min into it)

I've never used a springboard, but i have used a 3 inch high angled box that when you hit your foot in the center like you supposed to it is aonly about an inch or two high. Basically it acts as though your are vaulting on a deep box. It helped me get in on poles that I can only complete jumps on in meets. Allowed me to practice more jumps on poles to see how they would react. dosen't give that much of an advantage just more of meet adrenaline substitute as a coach once told me. The springboard on the other hand seems as though it would change the whole aspect of the vault and mess you up when it comes to doing it without the board.

I may have used a springboard once or twice, and I have used a small platform at takeoff as well.

I just felt really flat when I next jumped without it.


In college we had a really deep box for our indoor practices... like probably 3" deeper than normal (it was set wayy down in the gym floor). On the one hand, it helped make up for our slow runway and inability to wear spikes. On the other hand, when we went to meets, you had to remember to start out with a lower grip than you do in practice!

I don't get why people are so obsessed with being able to jump on their biggest pole in practice. The ability to cowboy up in a meet and grab the next pole (when you are legitimately ready for it) is part of progressing as a vaulter. Using crutches in practice to get on a bigger pole like taps or springboards or platforms seems like it would hurt you worse in the long term.