The Rules of Pole Vault Part 5

[vaultfan]

National Federation Track and Field Rule 7-4-3. The vaulter’s weight shall be at or below the manufacturer’s pole rating. The manufacturer pole rating shall be visible in a one-inch contrasting color, as well as a one-inch circular band indicating the maximum top hand hold. Pole rating markings are to be located above the hand-hold band.

National Federation Track and Field Rule 7-4-4. A competitor who uses a pole during warm-up or competition either improperly marked or rated below the vaulter’s weight, shall be disqualified from the event. Training poles may not be used for warm-up or competition.

An article by Jan Johnson in 1995 (http://www.polevault.com/articles/safety.articles.html), discusses the reason the weight rating rule was implemented. Essentially, he sez that “For as long as I can remember, the concept has been: run fast, hold high, but somewhere along the way, the message got turned into jump on a soft pole and raise your grip. This is always a formula to catastrophe.â€Â

[NCDiv2InjuryArtist]

I must be the posterchild for the big lie principle. I was coached for the first 2 years of my vaulting experience. After my coach moved i was stuck trying to learn to get upside down on my own. That led to failure. So i adopted the method of get the biggest pole i can jump on within my weight and get as high as i can in anyway posible. So my third year(my senior year in hs) i was vaulting on a 15' 165 (weighing 165-170) only going 13 9. In one month from this time i will be starting my indoor season at college and was wondering if there is anything off of the bat i can do not to make the same mistakes i was. Thanks.

God Bless

[PVJunkie]

change your screen name for starters!!! Then.........short run like crazy, on small pole (progressively getting bigger and bigger) and learn technique. Tons of vaults 2 to 3 days a week (man i hope you have a coach to guide you through this process). Watch lots of tape if you dont have a coach. Compare what you do to someone of equal physical attributes to yourself and do what they do. DO NOT watch some world class vaulter who is 8" taller than you, runs the 100 5sec faster than you and try to do what they do. They are way past what you are capable of. Watch world class vaulters who are similar to you (you could look them in the eye) know that they are faster than you......and try to do what they do. Change your jump in your mind first then do it on the pole. You dont have to be world class to be an excellent technician. Watch someone who jumps way over their top hand (if you grip 14'4" on a 15' pole and jump 17'6"........subtracting 8" for the box.....your jump 3' 10" over your grip....thus you are damn good). Being good is all about how high you can get based on your max SAFE grip height. Be a pole vaulter not a pole bender.

[wacky274]

good info,i really agree...like that last line "be a pole vaulter, not a pole bender"

[NCDiv2InjuryArtist]

I appreciate all of the good information you have provided for me. My biggest problem(self diagnosis) is i am not able to get inverted nor do i know how to get there. I have 5 years to get to 16 6" ft. since i am not eligble to vault this year for the team but will still practice with them. I will have a coach, but i doubt his coaching ability from vaulters i have know under him. I dont think he will be able to get me above 15'6" I will be spending most of my time either training or studying thoughout my college career. You mentioned watching lots of video to someone i am comparable with. I am 6'1" 185 right now. If anyone has any ideas of training tapes please let me know.
God bless

[vaultfan]

Adam, thanks a whole bunch for making a reply to this topic.

Here is an excellent 5 page article which may be of interest to you entitled "A Technical Model
for Pole Vault Success" by Michael A Young of Louisiana State
University.

http://www.elitetrack.com/pvtech.htm

A very economical video tape that you might wish to consider is “Pole Vault, Technique Development; Earl Bell." This is a USATF Development Project tape which can be purchased at www.track-tech.com for a cost of $15.00. You will probably be especially interested in the thorough discussion of short approach vaulting to develop technique and Earl Bell’s explanation of how to “hit the pocketâ€Â

[vaultfan]

Looks like there will be weigh-ins at several of the Texas meets. Here is an article entitled “A Touchy Subject at Bestâ€Â

[Azbeachboy1]

[quote="vaultfan"]Looks like there will be weigh-ins at several of the Texas meets. Here is an article entitled “A Touchy Subject at Bestâ€Â

[jmayesvaultmom]

Accurate scales is the key word....when they drag out the 10 yr. old Wallyworld scales and chunk them down on an uneven runway....or IN THE GRASS....they need to have...like you say....doctor's scales there. Scales vary too much from brand to brand...how they have been taken care of and what kind of surface you put them on when you weigh...........All women know that!

[vaultfan]

The “Big 10 Conference Adopts Additional Rule Changes for the pole vaultâ€Â

[lonestar]

[quote="vaultfan"]The “Big 10 Conference Adopts Additional Rule Changes for the pole vaultâ€Â

[wacky274]

i mean the "spotter" is actually not all that bad of an idea...i mean, that spotter will more then likely get beat up, but to save lives and prevent some of the rules that might be created, i think it's worth it