poles too big?

[depvaulter]

Through-out the season, I have moved on to longer and stiffer poles. I think this can be attributed to my run and plant. However, I have had some problems with the ligaments in my shoulder (the top arm for me) and it is probably because my shoulder can not withstand the force.

Is strength the issue here, or should I move to a pole not as stiff?

Weight: 150
Height: 6'
Pole: 14'7" 170 Spirit

[rainbowgirl28]

Or maybe you are just under/flat most of the time.

Where are your standards on the pole you are on now?

[depvaulter]

My standards are usually in the 24 to 29 range. There was variation from meet to meet. I also agree that my step has been a problem. Maybe a few vaults that were "in" caused a bad plant and take off.

[rainbowgirl28]

The more you fix the flaws in your takeoff, the less it will hurt your shoulder. Moving to softer poles (in this case) is more like using a band-aid, it doesn't really fix the underlying problem.

[carbonvaulter5]

That's very true, you are probably under and it's kinda jolting your shoulder. I had the same problem.

[mcminkz05]

Make sure you plant with your shoulders squared toward the box, and not leading badly with your left shoulder like lots of vaulters tend to do.. that can screw up a lot of things in your shoulders and back.

[bel142]

Sounds like a shoulder issue not a pole issue..... Go get rehabbed up and try hitting it again, usually in the first weeks of school my shoulder is weakened from the summer, so I have to train it back into gear.

If your shoulder can’t handle the plant then the softer the pole just starts putting you into bad habits and may get you fatherly hurt...