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A while back I pointed out that Bubka was all over the place over the bar. It looks like Warmerdam was too. Check out this video. I am going to tentatively submit the idea that the dynamics of the Petrov model lead inevitably to loss of control at the top of the jump. The jump is simply so high that it doesn't matter.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=kH-pAXnlmkA& ... ed&search=

Wait, so which jump was 4.79, or which one are you pointing out? Its kinda hard since there are 6 or 7 jumps in that video. The last one was pretty sweet, and like the 3rd one in was 1 1/2 feet over.

I wasn't refering to any one jump in particular, and I don't know which of them is the 4.79 vault. I was just noticing how his arms and legs seem to be going all over the place and how he almost always over rotates. It probably has nothing in the world to do with Petrov, but I thought it was interesting that the greatest stiff pole vaulter of all time and the greatest fiberglass vaulter of all time seem to be out of control on the top of their jumps, especially since Warmerdam's technique was the inspiration behind Petrov's innovation.

I have only ever seen two other videos of Warmerdam in my life. I was really excited to find so many from different angles in both fast and slow motion. This video is going to stay on my hard drive for a long time.

If you ask me, I think its just the natural reaction to "oh s***, I'm about to land in 6 inches of sawdust!"

For what its worth... the top of his jump looks a lot like mine does when i try to finish a jump on a pole thats too soft for me. Its somehow seems harder to get connected and tight on top.

It would seem that he's out of control because of his powerful two leg swing, or so I'd think. He's go all that energy in his legs to get rid of, and so he kicks them around trying to keep himself from doing a gainer. Just my thoughts.

Im thinking that If your not slightly out of control at the top, you are probably not receiving the full return of energy from the pole

Im thinking that If your not slightly out of control at the top, you are probably not receiving the full return of energy from the pole

I keep harping on this, but Joe Dial who had an unbelievable push-off was very precise over the bar. He and I are two of the main reasons holding the bar on is now against the rules. Bubka never held a bar on, but I honestly don't think he could have. To learn get your left hand on the bar and then put it back where it started from, you have to clear it with nearly identical form several thousand times. There are several other athletes with impressive clearances above their hands who are precise over the bar.

powerplant42 wrote:It would seem that he's out of control because of his powerful two leg swing, or so I'd think. He's go all that energy in his legs to get rid of, and so he kicks them around trying to keep himself from doing a gainer. Just my thoughts.

I think this may be the case. I can't imagine a person swinging with more power than Warmedam shows in these videos. Especially since he is double legging it. I think the same is true of Bubka.

Tim McMichael wrote:A while back I pointed out that Bubka was all over the place over the bar. It looks like Warmerdam was too. Check out this video. I am going to tentatively submit the idea that the dynamics of the Petrov model lead inevitably to loss of control at the top of the jump. The jump is simply so high that it doesn't matter.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=kH-pAXnlmkA& ... ed&search=

Incredible!

Thank you for the great video.

Plus, he might just be trying to get ready to fall correctly. (Notice the sawdust...)

did anyone notice that at the last second before plant he slides his bottom hand to his top... this is a case for the top hand being most important when you vault, but I believe this is also the reason the he has no control on the top of his vault... it is really hard to have a top with a closed grip (you would know if you try... assuming some have not.)