Pole "Swaying"

[KirkB]

Here's another VERY BASIC idea that I forgot to mention in my first post on this topic ...

Before you even try to learn how to run WITH the pole on the track (even before aiming at a towel), you should learn to run "properly" WITHOUT a pole.

By "properly" I mean with the proper body angle, and the proper amount of "wobbling" of the wrists, elbows, and shoulders. You should basically pretend that you're running with the pole, and keep your arm motions to a minimum.

While I don't recommend doing this during sprint time trials or when you're out for a relaxing jog, you should strive to run with square shoulders and arms in the "pole holding position" at all other times. This would ESPECIALLY include when you're warming up on the runway ... without the pole.

After all, if you can't run relaxed with mimimal arm motion WITHOUT the pole, then how can you expect to do it WITH the pole?

Kirk

[Barefoot]

... I think Bubka's closed grip is preferable, but allow my vaulters the open hand style of Isi if they can't manage the flexibility required to carry closed grip. ...

I prefer a loose grip ... with almost all the weight on your 2 thumbs and 2 forefingers ... tightening only during the raising of the pole during the plant. This goes for both hands. My rationale is that it allows the pole to be held in a more natural (more upright) position during the run, without any strain on the top wrist. And it's easy enough to clasp the pole tightly as you plant. I don't buy the argument that your pole will twist in your hand when you "regrip" on the plant. After all ... unless you're a beginning vaulter ... you're gripping tightly with at least the thumb and forefinger, so the pole won't rotate inadvertently.

Altho it may seem to some that you need a death grip with lots of guck from the start of the run, I don't think that's true in practice. As long as you have strong hands ... and confidence in your grip ... tightening up your grip during the plant is easy. Even with very little guck.

... Also in favor of the strong Bubka top hand grip is that it sets the athlete up for a solid top hand at take-off. My fellow coach thinks its imperative to have the closed top grip. ...

I don't understand this at all. As long as you clasp the pole "solidly" by the time the pole hits the box, you're going to have a "solid top hand". No? Again, for Beginners I can understand this, but not for Intermediates and Elites.
Kirk

In the debate with my fellow coach I supported the open top hand grip as preferable... but conceded that I could be wrong in some circumstances. My fellow coach is a far more experienced and a far more successful PV coach than I have plans to ever be. In the end I have found that for some vaulters, closing the grip "ala bubka" helps their carry and plant, particularly as they move to longer and heavier poles. I will continue to teach both ways depending upon the situation. As a coach of young athletes of broadly varying abilities I have found no one size fits all approach to teaching. My point was; for some of my athletes, including HS girls jumping near the 12' mark who have exhibited re-gripping, changing the grip to a closed grip has helped. Athletes who lack the shoulder and wrist flexibility have greatly benefited from an open hand grip.

[souleman]

As a coach of young athletes of broadly varying abilities I have found no one size fits all approach to teaching. My point was; for some of my athletes, including HS girls jumping near the 12' mark who have exhibited re-gripping, changing the grip to a closed grip has helped. Athletes who lack the shoulder and wrist flexibility have greatly benefited from an open hand grip.

That's called "coaching"
I think this statement pretty much sums up what we that focus on high school age athletes have to deal with have to always keep in mind. Especially with the short seasons and attention spans of those athletes . Well put Barefoot! Later...............Mike

[Barefoot]

[/quote]
That's called "coaching"
I think this statement pretty much sums up what we that focus on high school age athletes have to deal with have to always keep in mind. Especially with the short seasons and attention spans of those athletes . Well put Barefoot! Later...............Mike[/quote]

Thanks Mike!

Sometimes I struggle with the sureness with which knowledgeable posters on this site pose their methods and technical models. The more I learn through practice and research the more I readjust and refine my coaching. Sometimes I find myself doing odd things to get kids to where they need to be. If I had great athletes all the time and a 12 month training period I might do things differently and might lock down a singular methodology. But with a limited eye, and limited experience, and limited time, and limited facilities, and limited talent... sometimes you have to be creative. The only really limitless resource is the love young and old vaulters have for that elusive bar.

This board is one of the best places on earth for the love of the vault. The regular posters here are an endless source of inspiration. Perhaps I should name you all, but you know who you are!

Thanks again,

Barefoot

[christopher_cochran]

I've been working on it, sorry that i'm just now getting around to pole vaulting practice, I've had no where to go. There is so much advice here, i do not know how to do them all, but two things i have done:
1) Tried not to let my bottom hand get below my hip. This allows a little more "shock absorbance" as one coach told me.

2) Get my knees up when i run which pushes my shoulders back to the upright position a little more. This also helps get a little more speed. I know this already, it is just so easy to get lazy and forget it when i'm approaching the box. I will try to get another video clip, but thank you all so much for your expertise. I'm just trying to learn and have the knowledge. No REAL competition i just enjoy the activity. But also, i will be going back to my high school in the spring to coach the vaulters, and do not want to give them wrong advice. Thank you all.