Help?!

[robotmaker20]

I'm a junior in highschool, been vaulting since freshman year, except my school does not have a pole vault coach. My pr is 9 feet. I am 135lbs, I use a 140lbs pole, 11' 5", Altius. I was just hoping someone could give me some advice on my technique and how to improve. Videos are attached. The bungee is at 8' in one video, and 11' in the other. Thank you.

https://youtu.be/dTRdIL14Z8E

https://youtu.be/iJn4gmQnWq0

[grandevaulter]

Pulling in your sweep leg is stunting your abilities. To get on longer and heavier poles you must whip kick, not pick it up and roll up. You also block with your left arm and prohibit yourself from any chance to get inverted.

Attached is a video of the slowest 120 lb. girl in the world but jumps on a Altius 11'6" 140 and has pr'd at 9' This is one useful drill for implementing a strong take off and preparing the trail leg for a powerful whip kick.

http://youtu.be/3lEGibnj1Nw

This next video is the best 12 minutes of polevault instruction that has been produced by the most dedicated and knowledgeable man (Altius -Alan Launder) to undertake teaching this event to athletes and coaches.

http://youtu.be/AD9ARW1i7HI

[robotmaker20]

Thank you for the advice. My one question is what do you mean by "block with your left arm"/how do I fix this?

[grandevaulter]

Robot maker, you vault like a robot.(a broken robot) But the good news is you still have time to fix it. See the attached video where I point out the faults. The left arm interference prevents you from swinging around the top hand axis and also changes the flex. If you gradually close your grip, you may see the affects of loading the pole with the top hand.
http://youtu.be/9cFLbasthow

Now you want to know how to fix it. That all depends on how willing you are to follow directions in the next YouTube. You must have great determination to follow the drills in the "Minimalist approach to training pole vaulters". The sand pit drills, long swings and swing and pivots over the bungee with a straight pole will help you swing long and will force you to stop blocking, rowing or what ever you call that thing you do with your left arm. If you don't get caught up in too many competitions and can manifest these straight pole drills into your flexible vaulting, I expect you will be on poles 20 to 30 lbs. over your weight if you are serious about making improvements.
http://youtu.be/AD9ARW1i7HI