14'10 at Reno

[KirkB]

Pogo, you quite rightly point out that Starkey has an extremely bent trail leg in this "better" vault. It's bent almost 90 degrees ... but it should be straight (0 degrees).

In the previous vid ... the Reno vid ... his trail leg is bent MORE than 90 degrees. For that reason, I think the vault in the 2nd vid LOOKS to be slightly better.

Be aware tho, that maybe the camera caught the frame at slightly different points in the swing ... so it is possible ... altho we don't have photographic proof ... that the Reno vault is better.

Anyway Starkey ... any way you look at it ... you still have a LOT of work to do on your swing! Again, don't worry too much ... you have a long way to go, but you've also come a lot further than most sophs.

Kirk

[vault3rb0y]

You guys can correct me if I'm seeing something different, but I want to pose a different issue that will help your trail leg AND give you more angle at T/O.

I watched the video a couple times, and the most evident thing is your bottom hand pulling to accelerate your swing. But at this point in the jump, you HAD to do that because your hips were getting sucked under so quickly after T/O. And I believe the reason your hips got sucked under so quickly is the elasticity of your arms at take off.

I paused the video on take off. Your chest is already driving forward of your T/O leg and top hand (aka not behind the pole). Until you leave the ground, your hands need to stay strong and be pressing upward to maximize pole movement on impact. Now AFTER you leave the ground, a position with your chest being more forward is acceptable, but when you have that position on T/O, your angle is much lower (i'd guess 4-6 inches) and the energy lost goes into sucking your hips under the pole. You need to stay behind the pole during the instance of take off. Now ONCE you leave the ground, being in that position will keep your hips back long enough for you to finish your T/O more effectively, and add speed to the natural swing of the pole. Make sure you keep your hands pressuring upward during the swing, though.


I hope that makes sense, my punchline for you is, make sure your top hand doesn't move behind your hand at Take off. Pressure it straight up and stay behind the pole until you leave the ground. Once you leave the ground, keep upward pressure while you swing. You look REAL good for sophomore year, and I'll be excited to see your progress throughout high school. Aim high though, you've got tons of potential. Good luck!

Jason

[starkey480]

ya that makes perfect sense! thanks for all of the advice everyone!
@ kirk - what are hinge drills on a high bar?

[KirkB]

... what are hinge drills on a high bar?

Search for "hinge whip highbar drill".

Kirk