After a mental block: stronger run but jumping into the bar

[guthrie]

Hey guys, I'm new here in the forum (have been reading but recently signed up). As a vaulter, I broke our cities record last year (dont ask, the record isnt really high as pole vaulting is not super popular here!) but then i qualified for provincials and all that was a great boost of vaulting self esteem. The problem this season is that I felt a lot of pressure being it my senior year to qualify for provincials again and i bombed at the east regionals (right before provincials). I couldnt even get off the ground because my step was so off, and I got so stressed out trying to figure out what happened.
End of story.
For the past few months Ive had this mental block and I couldnt get off the ground after that meet because it destroyed my self esteem. Finally, I can get off the ground, AND my run is so much stronger because Ive found a mental trigger that makes me fearless. The only problem is, my run is so strong, that im jumping right into the bar and not over it. Too many drills going straight through to get comfortable and thats what I got. I used to be able to lift my hips, go up, turn and it was fine but i also planted the pole at the exact last second of every jump. I started lowering the pole from the start of my run and now my run is awesome because I know it will make it into the box. My question is, what can I do now that I have a strong run but cant get up? My coach suggested raising my grip, which is fine and comfortable but im still going straight through. Sorry for the long long post! Thank you all for your imput (input?),
Catherine

[powerplant42]

Now what exactly do you mean by jumping into the bar? Do you mean that you're leaving the ground and then your hips are at the bar? Or are you just blowing through the pit? If you're jumping straight up to the bar, I would suggest two things. One, move your standards back. Way back. Also, or if you can't move them back any further, you really do need to raise your grip. Go as high as you feel comfortable. If you're blowing through, get on a stiffer pole. Some video would be really helpful, especially to see what you mean by 'jumping into the bar'. You could be rowing right off of the ground, which would make sense as well, I guess.

[guthrie]

Yeah, I'm just blowing right through the pit and right into the bar. I guess I'll raise my grip. I dont have much of a swinging action going up but i dont really feel like i have time to get my hips up because its happening so fast, and the standards moving back is agood idea, only ive tried it and i got over bt landed right on the bar. maybe ill move them a tiny bit forward from what they were. Thank you,
Catherine

[powerplant42]

I'm still a little confused... How high are these bars you're working on? What are your standards set at?

[guthrie]

the standards are going from 50- 60 and the height is 2m25cm (I know it's not high, but I've pretty much had to start from zero after this mental block). My PR was 2.36 (i did it last year) and havent done more than 2.25 since :S

[powerplant42]

O.K. Put your standards back at 70cm. You also may not be gripping high enough on your pole to have a real swing. (How high are you gripping and on what pole?) Another suggestion is to practice without a bungie or bar up. That way, you can focus on vaulting correctly, not on getting over the bar.

[guthrie]

the pole I'm using is a 100 pound pole that mesures 3.35 m. I just want to say thanks for replying and I really apreciate it!
Catherine

[VTechVaulter]

do you have any video?

its really not a good idea to say if grip or pole needs to be changed without seeing it. bend size, pole speed, plant mechanics can all incluence why your not feeling time to swing. often with young vaulters the plant is so block you can swing anyway. its be really helpful to see what your doing and then we can get you better feed back!

good luck.


oh and p.s. beginners should always vault with their standars between 70 and 80.

[powerplant42]

There you go. VIDEO!!!