PoleVaultPower.com

This forum is as good as any for this thread ...

In the Stu/Hooker Boston Indoor thread, BethelPV wrote:

BethelPV wrote: ... yeah i can understand your frustration with people walking in front of you! ...

OK, so the IAAF, USATF, NCAA, and NFHS rules are written for the benefit of fair competition, and safety - and not for the benefit of the fans and coaches.

But somewhere, somehow, there ought to be a "rule" making it "illegal" for OFFICIALS (or anyone) to stand next to the pit, blocking the view of videographers filming PV ... particularly near the takeoff area.

It's common sense to all of us PV aficionados that OFFICIALS and "pole catchers" should stand on the INSIDE of the runway, AWAY from the track, rather than between the runway and the track. There's almost ALWAYS someone taking vids from the other side of the track, directly across from the runway - because that's usually the closest camera angle for spectators.

And it's not just for entertainment value. It's also helpful for the vaulter, to analyze his vaults with his coach later. And of course ... for us to analyze them here, on PVP!

It's more than just bad etiquette ... there oughta be a law!

What can be done?

Kirk

For indoor meets like these, there are plenty of spectators on both sides.

There are enough rules out there as it is. Good officials try to avoid doing this, sometimes it is not possible.

The vaulter could ask them to move... If they can't, then they can't.

Let me start by saying, I do wholeheartedly agree with your idea. I would just like to point out that this particular case was due to spectators and not officials or coaches walking in the field of view. Next time I'm at any major competition, I'll sit a few rows up so I can avoid the passer-bys, many of which were kids who didn't look old enough to be in high school. If I recall correctly (it's a little fuzzy due to my passing out and hitting my head between Hooker's 2nd and 3rd WR attempts...amateur mistake ) only 3 or 4 people stopped or "dodged" the camera while I was filming.