kcvault wrote: ... I know the second one is hard to see but I posted it because I came very close to hitting a free take off from 11'8 and last time I jumped I could not hit a free take off from 12'5. Also I am jumping up and not blocking out which is a nice change. After that I tuck alot but I think this is more because the pole is small and I don't have time.
The takeoff on your 2nd vault is actually quite clear. Stop action verifies that you're indeed very close to a free takeoff. What I like about this takeoff is your body angle ... you're leaning in a bit ... which gives you a good position to really jump/drive off the ground ... in prep for an elastic stretch. And no blocking! Nice!
I have a different thought on why you're still tucking. But first of all, I have to say how totally impressed I am with your conversion from a tuck/shooter to a Petrover. When I first commented on your vault ... suggesting that you switch ... I didn't think you'd be motivated to ... and more importantly, I didn't think you COULD. It's very hard to switch ... especially when you're at 5.40 ... old habits die hard. So HUGE kudos on your improvements thus far!
I think you're tucking simply becuz that's what you're used to doing. I think it's a timing thing. As you pass thru your plant/takeoff/downswing ... TUCK ... shoot ... you do what you're used to doing ... timing-wise. In other words, the tuck is sorta the middle of your vault, delineating the bottom half from the top half. You have to break that timing pattern.
Instead, focus on the DOWNSWING ... and the WHIP (the moment when your body passes the chord). Treat THAT as your delineation between the bottom and top of your vault. Focus ONLY on the bottom half, trying to get as strong of a whip as you can.
Once you do, there won't be much need for a tuck ... since you'll be well on your way to a continuous motion into your extension.
Oh yeah ... don't try to get on heavy poles right aways. The heavier the pole, the more you're going to want to tuck. Stay on light ones til you lick the tuck habit. Strive to land on the far half of the PLZ. Once you have the confidence that you don't need to tuck to roll the pole, then you'll tuck less and less. THEN start worrying about getting on heavier poles ... not before. You'll find it quite surprising that you'll be able to increase the pole weight quite rapidly once you get the hang of the new timing. All the while, make sure you're landing well into the PLZ ... even on big poles.
Hope this helps.
Kirk
