kcvault wrote:Jumping technique should reflect the vaulters different strengths. If you are slow like me and can only run an 11.6 100 I would say a power swing tuck type vault would be slightly more appropriate. I can jump by swinging a long trail leg to the top but can push 3ft 5 inches off my top hand by swinging and tucking. Not the most efficient push off but it's better then I can do with a full swing. Also a shorter vaulter has shorter levers meaning they may be able to create more power by staying right side up as long as possible and swinging into a tuck to catch up. Who knows that's why you should teach in basic concepts not absolutes. A high take off, an elastic stretch, good pole drop and acceleration staying tight to the pole on top, and always trying to get the bend to role upward not bend down to you. I think these concepts we can all agree with. Other then that everyone has different strengths and there technique should reflect those strengths. (I don't believe there is anyway colwick would jump higher with an independent trail leg, though he would jump higher if he jumped up better at take off.) That being said personally when I coach I only use the patrov model. Why? Because it a very solid model, it also happens to be the easiest to teach, However when teaching this model every vaulter has there own individual uniqueness to the vault. What needs to be determined is weather that uniqueness is a strength or a weakness for that particular individual.
From everything I've seen, anybody who adopts the Petrov model will improve no matter what their previous technical model was. The closer you get to the "pure" model, the better you will be.
It's strange to hear that you're actually doing better doing something else. As I always say, there may be an apparent problem somewhere - but the cause is somewhere else. It may not have anything to do specifically with your swing per se...
Do you take off under?
Do you take off flat?
Do you push in with the left hand?
Do you have a free take-off?
Do you carry the pole properly?
Do you drop the pole properly?
Do you plant the pole properly?
How is your stride pattern in the last 6 steps?
How is your take-off step?
Is your 2nd to last step deep?
Do you lock the hips with the legs during the swing?
Do you have a very rigid body during the aerial phases?
All of these things, while not actually part of the swing, can affect the swing tremendously in one way or another. One or more things going wrong in each of these categories are the biggest causes of a vaulter resorting to tucking and shooting in order to vault higher. It may not actually be your swing!
The interesting thing about the Petrov model is that it was scientifically created as the most biomechanically efficient way to pole vault. It was based on the theoretical principles of how to actually get maximum height coupled with human physiology. In other words, it was made as the best way for any able bodied person to pole vault. Unless you have some sort of physical disability that's preventing you from doing something (like an injury), you can do it - anybody can! While the credit goes to Bubka for making an example out of it, it was designed for anybody and everybody!
One of the biggest misconceptions is that this model, like a lot of other Soviet/Eastern Bloc technical stuff, is that they're created specifically for the athlete to maximize performance. While they did place great importance on the athlete, they placed great importance in the scientific development of their knowledge. With sporting competitions the Soviets decided to seek out the sports/events that they felt they could dominate in and then made huge efforts to develop that focus scientifically and practically - pole vault happened to be one of those events.
As a result the Petrov model was created as the absolute best way for an able bodied human to pole vault... no exceptions. Any deviation away from the model or at least it's principles will prevent you from reaching your potential. Perhaps it may not be the easiest thing to teach! It's far easier to get upside down by tucking and shooting - you won't add any energy into the system and you'll be in a bad position under the pole during the recoil but you'll be upside down. You can tuck and shoot if you take off under, push in with the left hand and swing with a soft body - you can't do a Petrov swing with those problems.
Everybody is unique and will each have their own problems and they'll have to find ways to get around those problems to reach their potential. The funny thing is, the Petrov model IS your greatest technical potential! It's not a means to an end, it IS the end!
Pardon my hard-line views but the pole vault is like taking a math test; everybody has their own handwriting, but when you put the numbers down there is only one right answer. If something has gone wrong you need to check your work thoroughly! It's a big equation and lots of things can go awry in lots of places!
All the respect in the world to you for jumping 5.40m!
If you ask me, you can jump even higher
