It all begins with the first step!

[pvking99]

I myself enjoy doing alot of video study and I've noticed many ways some of the worlds best vaulters begin their approach toward take-off. What I want to know specifically though concerns world class vaulters Jeff Hartwig, Derek Miles. Now I notice that each on(Miles and Hartwig) takes approx. 2 steps before beginning their run which usually turns out to be an 18 step run. DO those first 2 steps count toward making this a 20 step run?(Or 10 lefts for those of you who count it that way) Or is it just like the skip Brad Walker does to begin his momentum. All theories and observations welcome.

[ACvault]

I would say not because they are not putting the same amount of power into their hop step/skip as they are for their regular strides.

[rainbowgirl28]

They do not count their skip when saying how many steps they are running from.

[pvking99]

This has been enlightening! Seriously!

[altius]

And they should not have skipped into their approach!

[KirkB]

And they should not have skipped into their approach!

Yeh, I agree. I cannot imagine how you can CONSISTENTLY skip the exact same amount each on each vault. For that reason, I much prefer taking a short STEP first, then accelerating from there.

Kirk

[rainbowgirl28]

And they should not have skipped into their approach!

Yeh, I agree. I cannot imagine how you can CONSISTENTLY skip the exact same amount each on each vault. For that reason, I much prefer taking a short STEP first, then accelerating from there.

Kirk

Many elites use a check mark that they look at a few steps into the run to make sure they got off to a consistent start.

[altius]

"Many elites use a check mark that they look at a few steps into the run to make sure they got off to a consistent start." Just remember that Bubka, Tarasov and Markov -as well as Isinbayeva now - began their run up from a very still and balanced position. No running into a mark and certainly no hops skips or jumps.

There comes a time folk when you have to make up your mind what you believe in - and follow through with that belief. There really are not thousands of effective ways to pole vault.

[vault3rb0y]

I dont know as much as i wish to about the run in comparison to other parts of the vault. I could see using a 2 step "speed" or "check" mark to be sure you are consistent. What thoughts do you have to how it might make the run less consistent? It seems like a useful tool when drilling a cadence of any run into your head.

[KirkB]

Many elites use a check mark that they look at a few steps into the run to make sure they got off to a consistent start.

If you're "skipping inconsistently" when you start your run, it SOUNDS like a good idea to check your step a few strides in.

However ...

1. For the sake of simplicity and consistency, why not just run off your start mark CONSISTENTLY, without any hops, skips, or stutter steps? That would be simpler ... and more consistent ... would it not?

2. The amount that you're off by might be only a couple inches. This MIGHT be important if it results on being an inch or two UNDER or OUT on takeoff, but considering your overall vault, are you really going to stop your run after a few steps (and after you're "psyched to go" for the sake of an inch or two ... and when the clock is running ... and will you even NOTICE it if you're just a couple inches out?

3. Should you really be looking DOWN at your checkmark instead of at the box?

Kirk

[rainbowgirl28]

3. Should you really be looking DOWN at your checkmark instead of at the box?

Kirk

The checkmark is way back on the runway, the negative effects of looking down at it are minimal at that point. You would never want to look down at something closer, your mid mark for example. Never catch your own mid!

[VTechVaulter]

The speed marks are within the first 2 lefts generally.

I personally use a speed mark 10'3" from my first step, and it has no effect on my having my head "down" (if you can even call it that) for that short a distance. if you look at any of my 12,14,16, 18 step videos on youtube, i am using a speed mark.

Also as far as skipping goes. As long as its consistent i dont see a problem with it. Especially when people who static start often pick up that first foot and wind up moving anyway. One of the reasons i moved to a walk stop into my run was because i somehow got into a nasty habit of lifting my left foot at at the start, and it was horribly inconsistent.