Steps vs. Strides

[Robert schmitt]

59'9...only in my dreams could I make it remotely near the pit running 4.5 lefts.

A few years ago I came to the realization I might be overstriding when I was running 4.5 lefts from 63'6' I also shortened my 6.5 left approach from 94' to 86'9".

[AeroVault]

I suppose a right handed vaulter could start with their left foot. They'd then have one less right than left. Saying lefts or rights is just easier because you know exactly what the vaulter is talking about (and whether they are right or left handed!).

[Vault&Flip]

59'9...only in my dreams could I make it remotely near the pit running 4.5 lefts.

A few years ago I came to the realization I might be overstriding when I was running 4.5 lefts from 63'6' I also shortened my 6.5 left approach from 94' to 86'9".

Well I'm assuming you are considerably taller than I am. Since I'm only 5'6, I have no problem running 5 left starting on my right foot from 56 or so..but I am short

[Robert schmitt]

I'm 6'2"

[lonestar]

I run from 6 rights, but you know what, I also run 6 lefts. 12 steps, 6 strides. All the same damn thing - just semantics.

[souleman]

So I have another question that's kinda related to this topic. Are vaulters coached to run lateraly, (in other words longer strides, knees lower, momentum and movement forward) or is it still like in my day, shorter stride with knees pumping up and down more. It probably won't matter to me when I start jumping again cause I'll probably do it the way I always did (ya know, the ol' dog new tricks thing) but I was just wonderin'. Thanks and later...........Mike

[lonestar]

So I have another question that's kinda related to this topic. Are vaulters coached to run lateraly, (in other words longer strides, knees lower, momentum and movement forward) or is it still like in my day, shorter stride with knees pumping up and down more. It probably won't matter to me when I start jumping again cause I'll probably do it the way I always did (ya know, the ol' dog new tricks thing) but I was just wonderin'. Thanks and later...........Mike

It all depends on the coach. One nationally regarded collegiate coach teaches "pulling" down the runway, reaching the step out in front and pulling or pawing back on it, long strides emphasizing loading the hamstring. Another teaches "pushing" down the runway, your toe hitting the track directly under your knee and pushing down and back against the track, emphasizing the quads more. I teach the second method.

[master]

Ok, I used to start my runs about 110' back of the box. Figuring that my stride was roughly 6 feet means that my steps were roughly 9 lefts?Mike

Don't forget to subtract the distance your take off foot is back from the box before you do your calculation. For example if your take off is from 11 feet out, your run would be 110-11=99 feet which would make your run closer to 8 lefts.