Tapping in Europe?

[Tim McMichael]

I believe that tapping should only be used by advanced athletes and coaches and even then only under very limited circumstances: never in warmups before a competition, never to get on a bigger pole than the athlete is capable of using in the first place. As Allan has pointed out, a deep box would serve the same purpose.

A good coach should be able to supervise an entire session with one arm tied behind their back.

[mowad1]

Deep Boxes, Down Hill Runways, Taps: What's the difference? What is an experienced vaulter? I knew Kevin Dare personally and I knew that he was going about getting on bigger poles the wrong way. Is 5.10 at 19 or 20 years old not an experienced enough vaulter to be tapped? I think that there is more that goes into the equation than just experience.

[Tim McMichael]

In this case, an experienced vaulter would be one that can consistently perform a near perfect takeoff. The push should not cover for inadequacies in technique or confidence. I use a very light tap only when I need an athlete to focus on relaxing and not pressing in the last six steps, and I only do it one time. The proper result should be that they penetrate a little too far because they did not need the tap, they needed the relaxation. When I say very light, I mean less than half a flex of pole strength. Once that lesson is learned, there is never a legitimate reason to tap that athlete again.

5.10 at 20 might not be anywhere close to experienced enough. It depends on the athlete's ability to perform proper technique. This is an advanced technique forum, so I think it is appropriate to indicate the proper use of a dangerously abused teaching tool. In general, if an athlete is not of the caliber I have indicated and the coach cannot gauge a tap to the degree I have indicated and the reason is anything other than what I have indicated DON'T PUSH. This eliminates 99.9% of coaches and athletes from the equation.

A box that can be varied in depth is far better than a tap because it eliminates the reflexes of the coach as a variable. A half inch deeper box equals half a pole in flex. A variable box is also valuable in teaching the athlete the relative effects of differences in box depth, as it can vary as much as two inches from one facility to the next.

[gtc]

"Deep Boxes, Down Hill Runways, Taps: What's the difference?"
If you seriously don't know the difference I would suggest that you further educate yourself or find a different event to coach!

[ashcraftpv]

Deep Boxes, Down Hill Runways, Taps: What's the difference?

quite a big difference actually. Yes, all three can be used to help get you on a bigger pole, but you can't find a super deep box or a down hill runway every place you go. You can give someone a tap anywhere, so its more prone to abuse and has more potential to develop into an unnecessary psychological crutch. I personally think taps should never be used. If you need a tap to get on a pole, then you're not mentally/physically prepared to be on that pole.

[Tim McMichael]

"Deep Boxes, Down Hill Runways, Taps: What's the difference?"
If you seriously don't know the difference I would suggest that you further educate yourself or find a different event to coach!

I think mowad1's point is that a friend of his died due to abusing an aid to penetration, and that the fact of this tragedy should be enough to eliminate all such methods. We should probably respect that point of view.

[gtc]

You think so?
Thanks for the interpretation.

[mowad1]

Thanks Tim! I used to tap because I saw the advantages. Helping an athlete get on a bigger pole being the biggest one. I stopped tapping because I spoke to an expert (Altius) who convinced me that it was not a healthy way to coach. The most convincing point was that we(USA) were doing things that were not being done elsewhere(rest of the world). This was the reason for our high accident rate, I was told. It made sense so I stopped. My vaulters still jump and still imporve. I just wondered how true the statement was when I saw the photo of Monika.
If people want to justify down hill runways and deep boxes as effective ways to assist experienced vaulters improve then they can't say that tapping is wrong. If you have an experienced vaulter but no deep box or dh runway should you do nothing? I don't think that is the case.

[ladyvolspvcoach]

I use a simple ramp that agapit made a few years ago and showed me how to use it for transitions. It has been discussed on this forum before. It works great for guys not so great for women...

[Barto]

A series of stackable 1/2" rubber mats can be very effective. I would never advise anyone to use more than 2".

[AVC Coach]

I don't agree with the tap and I don't understand the logic behind it. My kids never jump on big poles in practice and have no problem getting on big, new poles in meets. It's psychological and I think there are ways of getting your kids on big poles without tapping.

[achtungpv]

If you can't get on a big pole without a tap, you shouldn't be on that pole. Not a hard concept.