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Is there a way to break the habit of looking at the bar? I have always had this problem and it is preventing me from getting higher. I think it also causes me to not turn. For example, when I am in the air, I see the bar and stop swinging up and then try to just get over like that somehow. What Is a good drill or exercise type thing for turning? The only thing that we do is a turn on a rope onto a high jump pad.

I would say if you are looking at the bar this is a good thing. This is a way better habit to have than throwing your head back. Now looking at the bar is not the problem, the fact that you are fixated on it, is the problem. Always try to complete your jump to the best of your ability. Vaulters need to know where they are in the air, this is true with penetration and bar awareness. Otherwise you could peek over the box. As you keep training and keep getting better you have to learn to continue the vault and try to maximize height no matter where the bar is.

Hope that helps

Use a bar in practice regularly.

Not a bungie, a BAR.

PP, I'm not saying your advice here is good or bad. But you've said so little, that if I was a vaulter wanting to follow your advice, I don't know WHY I should follow it.

Should I follow it just because you said so (and you're an expert on this)? ... or do you have an explanation that helps us to understand WHY a bar is better than a bungee to break the habit of looking at the bar?

To be facetious ... I suggest you use a BUNGEE instead of a BAR. Then you won't be looking at the bar ... you'll be looking at the bungee instead!

My suggestion might answer Mei's question, but it's not really a useful answer ... is it?

Kirk

There are a bunch of threads with this info already... But I'll humor you!

Bars are different than bungies. Bungies are nice and soft and cushy, and bars are BARS. I see people all the time that have limited or no trouble with a bungie, but it's an enitrely different story with a bar, because they only see them at meets when they're in a higher pressure situation. If you add the pressure of the meet situation and the rigidness and 'absoluteness' of the bar, then there will be adverse consequences.

Use a bar in practice more than once in a while.

We're not mind-readers.

Kirk

Because I agree with PP about the bar, I knew what he was saying in his first post. It was good that he explained it though. Familiarity breeds confidence. If a vaulter is confident that he or she will make the bar, the likelihood that he or she will fixate on it are less. I understand that proper technique usually solves all problems. Then again not everybody is Bubka.As Altius once told me when he reviewed what was probably my best jump was, "what is technically desirable is not always physically achievable".Even though I promote continual work on proper technique, during the season there are times we have to make quick fixes to get the best results. Personally, I am a terrible "bar watcher" mostly because of bad technique but more importantly because of lack of confidence. Therefore I figured out a way to trick myself when I'm jumping. I put a ball on the top of my pole with a smiley face on it. Once I take off I won't allow myself to look at anything else until I focus and clearly see the smiley face. You can see it at http://www.myspace.com/mikesoulewyomingmn . It's under the slide shows and the training videos. Now, am I suggesting that this is the 'fix all" to all bar watching problems? Not in the least. But, if you are trying to get through this season (and yes during the season we do have to strive for results) this might help. During the off season or pre season next year we go back to the drawing board and concentrate on improving technique and work towards getting ourselves closer to "the model". Food for thought....................Later........................Mike