getting more power into the run
Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 3:49 pm
What points of focus should an athlete have if looking to make major improvements on their speed at take off and the strength of their run up?
Morning,
Kinda a loaded question, for vaulters who trying to hit that 5.30, 40, 50 mark small important technical changes are generally the key. Assuming that off the ground technical work is sound, the two things that I think are important for power at take off... Sprint technique, and pole drop. The more efficient running technique is the better leg strength is translated into horizontal movement and the cleaner the pole drop is there will be less body distortion with pole drop at the last 6 - 8 steps at take off. Sure enough if you look at the best vaulters, generally, there is only small amounts of distortion from pole drop. Meanwhile that idea goes to mush when you take a look at the Lázaro Borges approach... meanwhile he does have really positive things in his approach that composite for his awkward sprint technique. If the pole drop is timed correctly and the vaulter is in the correct body position, those two points of focus can actually help the vaulter improve the vertical position of the center of mass, and that is the ultimate goal...
Hope that helps,
BEL