Free Take-off???

[OUvaulterUSAF]

My definition of a free take off: Leaving the ground before the pole begins to bend.

My definition of a pre jump: taking off outside.

My definition of a good pre jump/free take off: a dynamic take off when you leave the ground before the pole begins to bend, dyanmic in that you are driving your knee, chest and arms to vertical and pushing off with your take-off leg/foot. If you don't do that during a free take off, you're just jumping outside and you'll sink and have to bail out.

Of note, vaulters can have a pre jump and be under, usually in this case their bottom arm is hitting them in the forehead.

Also, think of your two legs as pistons in a car engine, at take off when one goes down and hits the ground, the other one is driving in an opposite, (knee drive) equally powerful motion upward.

My .02 cents anyway.

[vaultman18]

If you don't do that during a free take off, you're just jumping outside and you'll sink and have to bail out.

Good Point!

Of note, vaulters can have a pre jump and be under, usually in this case their bottom arm is hitting them in the forehead.

I'm not sure I understand??? I can't imagine being able to jump up while you are taking-off under. It even seems almost impossible to be free. And definately undesirable. I am not saying you are wrong. I just don't see how it is possible. I would think a vaulter would become imediately in support of the pole and bending it. Thus not allowing time to actually jump up. Free but not Pre-jump.
I feel like we starting to go some where with this.

[lonestar]

Ok Morry, I need to know how you teach the free takeoff, because I've been trying for years and I've found it extremely difficult to teach. Please tell me how you do it!!!

I'm sure I'll see you in Forney this weekend. I'll show you there.

I appreciate that. I've used sand vaults from 2-6 steps, and had a lot of success with that. Even takeoffs in the box from 2-6 steps have worked well at teaching pre-jumps and free takeoffs. Vitali expressed to me that free takeoff is only possible with proper pole carry, drop, and plant, so I've emphasized that continually for years. Still, when we start moving back, athletes still want to stretch at the box instead of turn over. If I use a visual aid like a piece of tape across the runway or a towel, the visual cue helps temporarily, but when I take it away, they return to reaching and under.

See you in Forney, Morry.

Kris

[gtc]

You could actually take off slightly "under" If you planted the pole behind your head with your hands and have a "free takeoff" (NOT RECOMMENDED)

[lonestar]

I'm not sure I understand??? I can't imagine being able to jump up while you are taking-off under. It even seems almost impossible to be free. And definately undesirable. I am not saying you are wrong. I just don't see how it is possible. I would think a vaulter would become imediately in support of the pole and bending it. Thus not allowing time to actually jump up. Free but not Pre-jump.
I feel like we starting to go some where with this.

It's possible. I've done it for years. You have to plant really far back over your head, and be relaxed/elastic in your shoulders. It's possible to be 6" under and with a plant that's reached so high to the point where your shoulders are about to dislocate, and the left hand is directly overhead and not in front of your forehead, you can be moving upwards when the pole hits the box. A good example is Bubka's 3rd attempt save to win the '88 Olympics in Seoul. His step was under as far as a plumb-line goes, but he self-corrected his arms to allow himself a free takeoff.

[OUvaulterUSAF]

Vitali expressed to me that free takeoff is only possible with proper pole carry, drop, and plant...

Completely agree!

I fall into a rut of getting lazy with this part of the vault during practice. Then the dreaded run throughs start coming. When I go back to focusing on making this part of the vault perfect again, it comes together again.

My favorite drill to work on carry, drop, plant is slide box from 8 lefts. Takes out the random variables of the pole vault equation and lets you focus on that.

[vaultman18]

Lonestar
I agree you can be free with under take-off but not a pre-jump. I still think being under is still not desirable. Even if you can adjust your arms and hands to move back over your head you will not be in a good position to swing. So the take-of may me free (not pre-jump) while being under but the jump is compromised but still salvaged as you refer to Bubka.

Good stuff!

[lonestar]

Lonestar
I agree you can be free with under take-off but not a pre-jump. I still think being under is still not desirable. Even if you can adjust your arms and hands to move back over your head you will not be in a good position to swing. So the take-of may me free (not pre-jump) while being under but the jump is compromised but still salvaged as you refer to Bubka.

Good stuff!

Agreed. Not desirable, but free takeoff with takeoff toe in front of plumb-line is possible. Pre-jump much harder to execute in front of vertical line.

[baggettpv]

Bill Falk explained very well in his book in the late 80's. Anyone else buy it?

Rick Baggett
WSTC LLC

[baggettpv]

The bigest problem with the takeoff is not where you are at, but what you are doing....think about it.

Rick Baggett
WSTC LLC

[Barto]

One Word: POSTURE

[vaultman18]

The bigest problem with the takeoff is not where you are at, but what you are doing....think about it.

Rick Baggett
WSTC LLC

Please elaborate. Your answer is intriguing but vague. Lets just assume everyone thought about it and still don't know or are not sure. Thanks