Question of too much bend???

[davidjRudman]

So i'm a 14 foot vaulter, but compared to most of my fellow 14 foot vaulters that i know, i bend the pole a lot more.

Here are a couple videos showing that: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HriMSJzC ... el&list=UL
and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWw1hM3r ... ure=relmfu

When i was trying to answer this myself, a couple of things came to mind: Is it my lack of a vertical jump?? (i can't really touch rim even though i'm 5'11, i think it's just genetic really. it's hard to teach hops) Or is it my speed (i'm pretty fast even if you can't tell in the video, 11.44 100 meter time) Or is it my pretty good bottom arm??

Anyway, whatever it is, do you think it's a bad thing? If yes, what should i do to fix it??

[Thats.What.She.Said]

It probably has a bit to do with the fact that you pull down on the pole after you take off. It's easier to see in the first video because of the angle, but you can see after you takeoff, your top arm bends a bit. Then in the first video you can see you takeoff, and then a split second later your arms react and pull down a bit. This causes the pole to bend, but not in a good way. Funny thing is though, your jump looks wicked similar to my friend's who does the same thing. Anyways, work on keeping your top arm pushing up more instead of pulling down.

[davidjRudman]

Is your friend good?? lol

[Thats.What.She.Said]

his PR is 13'9 I think, he struggled a lot transitioning to college track because it was the first time he focused solely on pole vault.

[dj]

good morning,

i see you stretching into the takeoff on the first one and going "flat", stressing the pole without an "UP" impluse..

the stretch wasn't as noticeable on the second but was still there and put you farther under.

Because of the way you stretched on number one, which may be the "norm"…. you are not "squaring" up for the plant, getting the arms up late and not "getting the feet down" correctly for an "jump"/up impulse… practice your run on the track… with a 6 step "MID"(approx.. 46 feet six step "MID". http://www.oneapproachrun.com) get your "feet down/piston action over the last six steps.. get a jump takeoff with the top arm fully extended, BEFORE the pole tip plants into a towel…

Us the best run from the track and move that to the runway.. maybe slightly closer at first (one foot) until you are comfortable and running, planting and taking off correctly.

dj

[DLM]

As DJ said, you look to be under on your run, the pole is starting to bend before you finish your run, so you are bending your pole long before you can jump. a free jump would help your vaulting and lessen the bend in the pole at the height you are at.
Practice your steps on the track until you get consistent then trust them on the runway, when you get on the runway add 3 inch to your run and work from there. Have someone watch your steps, its always better to be a little out then under