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Im currently in highschool vaulting with a 140 12foot Ucs spirit. Im a junior now so im pretty sure its time to increase length here and put up some bigger numbers. So im trying to go up to 14ft 145 or 150 (we have both) Ucs spirit. So what do u guys recommend is the best way to get the testis to get up on one of these bad boys instead of landing back on the track like i have before. Iv heard people say to take another 12ft pole but boost the weight up to around 170 but i feel that weight isnt the issue its more of the take off which im probably not use to cuz im 2 feet farther away from the mat. We do have a 13ft 145 skye pole but its softer than the ucs' so im not feeling that. So anything would help really cuz our only 2 coaches only know s*** about running and when it comes to field events cant help at all, so were pretty much on our own(frowny face) . So can you help me out pole vault power! it would really help our team because the other vaulter on my team is in the same exact situation^^ and we really wanna kick some a** this year.

You should move up poles when your current pole is too small, that's when you'll jump higher.

First, check out this chart to understand that the 14' poles are a LOT bigger than your current pole and you almost certainly will get spit back out on the runway. It's not a testosterone issue it's a physics issue. http://www.skyjumpers.com/articles/pvpr ... table.html

Second, don't move up poles until you are really blowing through your current pole... knocking off the bar on the way up with the standards ALL the way back and landing deep in the pit.

Third, the 13'145 probably feels too soft because you are probably just grabbing at the top and squishing it (but not going anywhere).

So...

On your 12' Spirit, the highest you can hold is about 11'7". So when you ACTUALLY blow through it, grab that 13'145 and hold no higher than 11'9". In other words, put the bottoms of both of the poles together and go about 2" higher on the 13' pole.

On the 13' pole, if it bends a lot but you come down on the bar, hold lower. If it moves you really fast toward the bar, but is not bending a lot, raise your grip an inch or two... but ONLY raise your grip if you are hitting the bar off on the way up and landing deep in the pit.

I can pretty much guarantee that your run and takeoff need a LOT of work based on how high you are jumping and what poles you are on. Check out this video to understand the vault better and get some good ideas for drills to do: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 052593028#