Thoughts on Pole Carry

[Tim McMichael]

One of the first things I do with a beginner is just toss them a pole and ask them to hold it like they would if they were going to vault. Even if they have never jumped, the way they place their hands on the pole tells me a lot about their initial conceptions - and a little about their potential to learn the sport at all. For instance, if they instinctively place their hands facing the right way and about the right distance apart, this tells me that they have some idea about what will and will not work when it comes to the basic task of using a pole to jump off the ground. If they put their hands on backwards about four feet apart and look apprehensively at me like a deer caught in the headlights, I know I have a tough road ahead.

Even when watching intermediate jumpers I can formulate a good guess as to their quality by watching closely how the pick up the pole. After I see them step on the runway and take their first three steps I am sure of it.

When I was competing against elite vaulters, I could still tell a lot about how dangerous a given competitor would be by watching the way they moved during warm-ups and how they handled their poles when preparing to jump. If they set the pole in its carry position with any hesitation or pause, I could be sure they were not on their game. If the pole was set firmly and smoothly without any pauses or slight adjustments of balance, I knew they were someone to watch out for.

This has nothing to do with the pole carry, but I could also tell a lot about an athlete by looking at their eyes. If they had that far-away and yet focused look, I could tell that they were rehearsing their jump, that it was constantly present in their minds as they stepped to the runway. I could see the outside world recede from their consciousness and that altered state of heightened concentration come over them. The truly great competitors were always in that mode when it was time to compete.

Earl Bell used to scare me to death. He would engage you in light banter and small-talk during warm-ups and in lulls in the competition, and yet he still had that look in his eyes, and you could just feel him sizing you up. Bubka ran me over once when we were both warming up on the long jump runway at an indoor meet. He was behind me, and I could hear his footsteps pounding on the wooden runway as he accelerated, and I just could not stay ahead of him. He ran me over when I was in front of him running as fast as I could to keep him off of my back. I rolled to a stop about twenty feet away and looked at him; he looked at me, and I could see his concentration break. He looked at me like he had never seen me, like I had somehow materialized in front of him out of thin air. He just said, “Stay out of my way.â€Â

[CoachT]

Your right Tim. When I‘m at a meet, within ten min. I can pick the winner for that meet. Seeing the run mechanics and there pole carry. 9 time out of 10 the person with the best run, plant and take off will wins.
Heck I would have been scare if Bubka ran me over.

Ps: Tim you never replied to my message.

[gtc]

Tim your post reminded me of a meet at Madison Square Garden, during warmups I had my pole in the box after a warm up jump checking my step and I heard footsteps coming down the runway I turned and looked back because I remembered Bubka was behind me in line and he was coming full tilt I couldn't hardly get out of way in time and boom he took off, it definately got my attention. That guy had tunnel vision! when he was in a competition.

[Lax PV]

Tim your post reminded me of a meet at Madison Square Garden, during warmups I had my pole in the box after a warm up jump checking my step and I heard footsteps coming down the runway I turned and looked back because I remembered Bubka was behind me in line and he was coming full tilt I couldn't hardly get out of way in time and boom he took off, it definately got my attention. That guy had tunnel vision! when he was in a competition.

We have done that at meets before to 'get into the heads of people.' Especailly when they are doing pop ups and they aree just laying in the pit... you wanna talk about a vaulter pet peave... I used to do in practice until my buddy told me I was doing it--now I can't think of anything that ticks me off more... haha

[un poco loca saltar]

When I was competing against elite vaulters, I could still tell a lot about how dangerous a given competitor would be by watching the way they moved during warm-ups and how they handled their poles when preparing to jump. If they set the pole in its carry position with any hesitation or pause, I could be sure they were not on their game. If the pole was set firmly and smoothly without any pauses or slight adjustments of balance, I knew they were someone to watch out for.

This has nothing to do with the pole carry, but I could also tell a lot about an athlete by looking at their eyes. If they had that far-away and yet focused look, I could tell that they were rehearsing their jump, that it was constantly present in their minds as they stepped to the runway. I could see the outside world recede from their consciousness and that altered state of heightened concentration come over them. The truly great competitors were always in that mode when it was time to compete.

HAHA!! okay, so the only thing I got out of this was to be completely focused on the vault right from the get go. I first read this post a couple weeks back, but since then I've decided that the longer I'm on the run way, the less focused I am on my actual vault. So from that, since I already know where my step and hands should be, I can focus on everything else... and I've PR'd a few times since then...

so I guess I'm trying to say... thanks! =D

[newPVer]

i never noticed my eyes before 2 weeks back when i got a picture of me right before i start my run. i'm always trying to stay focused, but i look pretty dedicated(and even intimidation when i'm not trying to be.

Here's the pic.
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.c ... ID=6440280

but yea, i agree with you tim fully, you can tell how they're gonna do by just a few things before they even plant.

Great post

[vault3rb0y]

If bubka ever tried to run me over i'd trip and shove him right on the edge of the raised runway so all his friends could see. Then i would jump in a car and drive as fast and as far away as possible.

[fchipr]

Hey Tim What up?

As usual your insight is dialed in.

My son popped 4.61 yesterday at Mt Sac HS Boys, and nearly had 15-7. ...holding at 13-9. on a 14-6. Check your private messages. Thinking of ya Hope your feeling good.

Chip

[highhopes]

Every time I can get completely focused in a meet I get a new pr and the last time I got like that I strait poled 11’ with my hand grip at 11’ 8â€Â

[GMUVaulter89]

the approach to a vault is just as important as the vault itself. if the approach..run, carry, etc is off the success of the vault is less likely

[achtungpv]

the approach to a vault is just as important as the vault itself. if the approach..run, carry, etc is off the success of the vault is less likely

The run up & takeoff are the most important aspects...I'd say 98%, and in the air 2%. If you don't approach the event with you focus on what you do on the ground it's going to be very difficult to be success past the high school level.

[VTechVaulter]

i agree with most of the thoughts about pole carry and run, and maybe i misread this, but are you saying at meets you think its better not to engage in small talk with other vaulters? i think i just read that wrong

i think the small talk is what makes vaulters so close. dont get me wrong, when im on the runway, and even a little before, im taking care of business, but otherwise i enjoy getting to talk to people. plus it helps keep me relaxed