PoleVaultPower.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Y89OFegRDc

7 step: 95'6
grip: 14'
pole: pacer 160
flex: 20.0
bungee: 15'
Have been working on my 7 step approach and wanted to see if you guys have any more tips/advice to give me on my vault. i know i need to drop back my shoulders at the end part of the jump but wanted to see if there was anything else i should focus on.

Bryan,

Your pole tip is way too low at the beginning of your run, and your pole carry is static. Your pole tip is below your waist when you intiate your plant. This is creating tension throughout the approach, and the static position of the pole makes it impossible for the pole to initiate rotation quickly enough to be in time with your feet. The result is that it is impossible for you to get really extended at takeoff, so you are blocking with the bottom arm and shoulders.

I'm assuming based on your pole carry that no one has ever emphasized this point with you. It sounds trivial, but it's really important. If you start with the tip vertical and allow it to acccelerate into your plant, you will be running with better posture and getting much more extended at takeoff. If the pole tip stays above eye level and crosses that point as you initiate your plant, you won't be off balance and your takeoff will be much more powerful.

Watch the videos in these posts.

http://artofthevault.com/welcome-to-art-of-the-vault/
http://artofthevault.com/active-pole-drop/
http://artofthevault.com/how-to-run-fast-and-plant-high-controlling-the-weight-of-the-pole/

Don't worry about trying to drop your shoulders at this point. Given how well you swing with a terrible pole carry, when you get this right, your hips will swing right to your hands and your vault will feel entirely different.