Importance of relaxed shoulders

[colby41]

it never really occurred to me that i'm very inflexible in the shoulders and thus, my shoulders tense up at the plant. this causes my body and arms to lock together and move together at the plant, thus restricting my chest from driving up and getting into a appropriate C position. if this makes any sense to anyone, could someone explain the importance of relaxing at the shoulders, and when it it no longer a drive, and more of a "hang". i also was wondering about posture at take off as some vaulters seem to maintain an upright pose, while others are slightly facing up.. thanks


and if your not befuddled enough, is static stretching of the shoulders more or less beneficial in increasing mobility over active stretching.

mucho gracias
-colby

[AR01]

I've found that after stretching day after day that I have become more mobile in the upper body