ANSWERED
QUESTIONS!!! Continued...
Question:
I am a pole vaulter who has cleared 11'. I would
like to now fix my turn because I always seem to have my legs out to the
side of my body and can't get them all the way up in the air. I am also
wondering if I should still pole vault because I had fractured my lower
back in the beginning of the season and finished the season & then
found out.
Answer: Pole vaulting is a total body activity. You should never even consider vaulting with any form of injury. Talk to your parents, coach and doctor before resuming pole vault training. Back To Top.
Question: Are there any pole vault clinics available in the Philadelphia area for the indoor season?
Answer: Please contact Mark Hannay at mhannay@pvei.com. Coach Hannay is a USATF Regional Pole Vault Coach. Back To Top.
Question: I am encouraging two girls on our track team to consider pole vaulting. They would be coached by experienced pole vault coaches (not me) at a local training facility. What physical characteristics should I look for in potential pole vaulters? Both of these girls are 800m runners but they have good speed (29 for 200m) and good strength relative to their weight (based on rope climbing and chin up drills).
Answer: The scope of you inquiry is quite broad. Physical characteristics should be considered along with the mental abilities of concentration and ability to learn new motor skills. Some physical indicators may include: balance, coordination, strength to weight ratio, and speed. Many good high school vaulters seem to have an affinity to excel at other track events and often diverse sports. The athletes you have described already show great potential. Back To Top.
Question: I am a freshman and I am just becoming involved in pole vaulting. I attended a pole vaulting camp this summer and enjoyed it very much. I was wondering if there were any clinics or camps that are in the fall/winter (or anytime before spring track season) that could help me improve my skills. I am willing to travel, so distance is not a problem.
Answer: Your coach may have better knowledge of reputable track camps in your area. You could also check into www.pvei.com Back To Top.
Question: I am a vaulter without a coach at school. We did have 2 seniors that were 15+ who coached me and the other vaulters, but they graduated this year and next year our vault team will not have a coach. I go to a clinic once a week to jump with a real coach. My question is, when I go back to school, should I jump at school without a coach - probably develop bad habits - or should I just jump once a week at the clinic and spend time sprinting at school?
Answer: Try to "recruit" a high school coach to work with you at school. The clinic coach, I am sure, would be happy to mentor and help your new school coach. We suggest you talk to you head coach at school. Always keep a positive attitude and take advantage of supervised vaulting. Back To Top.
Question: I am trying to find the best pole vault coach in the nation with whom I could work with, one-on-one. I am in desperate need of good help. I vault 15' 6" and feel that with the right help I could be one of the best. I am willing to pay the coach or coaches. Please help.
Answer: Study, Study, Study.... as a 15'6" vaulter you are already doing many thing well. There truly is no "one best vault coach" but scores who can help you advance. We suggest you contact a nearby large university with a strong track program. Talk to their coaches for a recommendation of 2-3 coaches who are qualified and available for "one on one" coaching. Back To Top.
Question: Well, I am in an argument with a friend here. Is it possible for a pole to be "softened" when we leave it in the sun? I think not. We are looking forward to the answer.
Answer: Vaulting Poles do not "soften" even under the hottest conditions of the sun. It is true also in the coldest conditions poles do not get stiffer. Back To Top.
Question: I am a vaulter in the Caribbean and here we have no coaches or facilities, I basically have learned everything by looking at videos and using some short, old poles we got at some regional meets. I wanted to know if 3.80m is anywhere the kind of height needed for a college freshman and if it makes sense continuing in this event with my lack of coaching and assistance.
Answer: Most of the time college coaches will look at an athletes best performance and evaluate the athletes physical potential as well as opportunities for training (facilities) and coaching. Athletes and especially vaulters develop on different time lines. Good luck, don't give up. Back To Top.
Question: I am a 13'6" vaulter and stuck there. I have no trouble finishing my vault. It is almost like I sit over the bar. My feet get to where my hands are and I stop the vault. My run and takeoff are pretty good, but I struggle in the air. I was wondering if there are any drills I can do to help me in the off season to help me to be able to reach my goal of 15'6" by the end of my Senior season next year.
Answer: A fundamental and critical concept of pole vaulting is to move the pole to vertical. At the same time your body must swing as a second pendulum (The first is the pole pendulum.) and you should leave/push off the pole with vertical speed. The first suggestion is to lower your grip, move the pole to vertical and land in the center of the pit. One other impediment to a poor swing could be "blocking" with your lower arm. and/or pulling too soon with your top arm. By vaulting on a shorter run – e.g. 3-5 left steps with an appropriately lower grip – you could practice your swing from a long top arm. Try to develop a connection and feeling with your swing timed with the pole movement to vertical. Back To Top.
Question: Hello. I have been working with 3 pole vaulters for one year, they had a coach before me as well. Now they jump 4.70M and the have some mistakes from the past so I would like to ask you where I can find some CD's which describe the right technique.
Answer: There are some good resources for pole vault publication, videos and so on. You could check into the following: www.trackandfieldnews.com, www.stabhochsprung.com and www.pvei.com Back To Top.
Question: I know everyone vaults differently, based on their strengths, weaknesses, body type, speed, etc. I am 5' 10" so I have a fairly high reach, but I am slower in rocking back. My coach and I have played with different grips... like a lower grip of about 13'6" to stiffen up the pole, which causes it to "sling" me more, and a grip at about 14' to give me more time to rock back and get in the desired position. I was wondering what your thoughts on this were, and if you had any advice. I was a gymnast, so I understand how my body works, and I want to find the technique that works best for me. Any response on this topic is much appreciated!
Answer: Strive for the technique model your coach has selected for you. You should think about the concept of vaulting above your grip on the pole sooner rather than later. With a lower grip it is more likely your take off will be "on" and not under, your swing will likely be more efficient to culminate with speed and velocity off the top of the pole. This is more likely what you will feel as opposed to stiffness. Back To Top.
Question: What is the correct way to measure the height of the crossbar for competition?
Answer: With the standards set at "0" measure from the top of the box to the upper part of the lowest point of the bar. This point is typically the middle of the bar. Back To Top.
Question: I have just come back to pole vaulting from a 2 year break. I have cleared 13' 6" so far this season but lately I have been stuck at 13' and I want to soar much higher – I know I have the potential. I was wondering if you could recommend some good drills to help me out with finishing off the top of my jump and my drive.
Answer: The challenge for you is the same as for all vaulters... You should think about your technique in terms of your grip height and how to vault above your top hand. In general, vaulters will start out vaulting heights less than the hand grip and work up to a point where they vault at a height close to the height they hold. For vaulters to advance and continue their improvement, it is important to have the concept of flying off the pole with energy. If the vaulter only vaults as high as their grip they will be limited and their progress will stop. We encourage you to limit your grip and through constant practice and focus on a good plant, take off and swing, you will push off the pole with energy. Good luck in your efforts in reaching 14' and beyond. Back To Top.
Question: I am a slow pole vaulter. I run abound an 11.9 100m but I have jumped 16-3. I'm working on it but my feet are over flat and a doctor told me that they make me 10% slower. In my vault when I rock back I tuck my left knee so far it hits me in the face sometimes, and sometimes I get stuck, I can't seem to fix this. Any advice?
Answer: Some vaulters block and inhibit their swing with a rigid or straight lower arm. As a compensation for this they will "tuck" to try and speed up the swing. Some vaulters have developed their own technique in this way. Try to observe vaulters with comparable ability to yourself. In our opinion your speed is still sufficient to be a 17" vaulter and higher. Back To Top.
Question: I am a highly qualified pole vaulter that would like to vault in college. My best meet vault is 14' 6". I've been at State since I was a Freshman. Many first place winnings, including 3 sectional wins. State will be Friday, 5/30. I want to be a pilot. I would like a scholarship if possible.
Answer: 14'6" is a very good vault in high school. If you have good physical potential, especially speed, you could be a walk on or even get some athletic aid at a "smaller school". Good Luck, follow your dreams. Back To Top.
Question: Any recommendations for a summer Pole Vaulting Camp for a Sophomore girl who's doing about 8.5' - 9'?
Answer: We would advise trying to find a camp in your area. Check out www.trackandfieldnews.com. Back To Top.
Question: I have been pole vaulting for about three and-a-half weeks now, and I am clearing 7.5', and I was wondering if that is any good? I was also wondering (I am on the East Coast) if you know of any good pole vaulting camps because I would really like to get better at it!
Answer: 7 1/2 feet is a great start for any one new to pole vaulting. However the old adage of "learning to crawl before you walk and learning to walk before you run" is important for pole vaulters too. You should be patient and persistent learning the basic and fundamental techniques of the pole carry, approach run, plant and take off before trying to clear bars for height. For pole vault camps check out - www.trackandfieldnews.com. Back To Top.
Question: I vaulted throughout middle school and then stopped for my freshman and sophomore year and I am now pole vaulting again. I have been jumping 13' every meet but I can not seem to break he 13' height. I am 5' 10", 140 lbs. and I use a pole that is 14'. I get great penetration and drive but I am not all that strong so I have trouble finishing the jump. Can you suggest some good exercises that could possibly help me finish my top and reach the potential height of 14' that I have?
Answer: Most successful vaults can be traced back to the approach run, plant and take off. It is important to have the concept of "flying off" the top of the pole. You should determine the proper grip height for your approach run and take off. It is essential the pole reach vertical position and you land in the center of the pit on every vault. Back To Top.
Question: I can't get my turn down... how can I learn to do this and drive my right leg more?
Answer: The priorities for all vaulters is to always get the pole to vertical and to land in the center of the pit. Further it is always to your advantage to push the standard back (75cm/30" in High school). With these concepts combined with an active/fast take off, try to establish the proper grip height for your speed and ability. Your right leg drive will develop with practice. Your turn will have a better chance to improve if you get the pole to vertical and have greater "space" that standards on 75cm will allow. Back To Top.
Question: What kind of drills or other exercises can I do to help my "A"/knee drive so that I do not jump off of two feet?
Answer: Learning new field events such as pole vaulting can at first be uncomfortable for some young athletes. Ask your coach to break down the pole vault to a simple form. This will include standing and walking drills to (eventually) making a low impact jump off one foot. You should begin with one, two, three and four step approaches to jump off one leg. Eventually with confidence you can concentrate on jumps with more speed, aggression and power. It is important to think about pole vaulting with an active and strong take off to drive your take off knee up and forward. Back To Top.
Question: What is the minimum safe distance recommended on the back and sides of the pit for trees, fences, etc.? 5 Feet? 10 Feet? Is there a published standard?
Answer: We do not know of a published standard. The pit should be clear of all obstructions and distractions. Use common sense, 10' lower seems quite close, 25' would be a better option. Back To Top.
Question: I have been vaulting for one year now. I have jumped 11' 6", right now I'm at the point to learn inversion. My coach has been having me rope swing, for some reason I can't transfer that to my vault. What can I do to suck my bottom arm in during my vault?
Answer: Think more in terms of swinging from your top arm. Some vaulters who have learned to vault with a stiff bottom arm do not allow the shoulders to mover forward. When this occurs the swing of the whole body, fixed by the top hand will stop and the vaulter not invert properly. Focus on reaching as high as possible at take off, keep your head in a neutral position (do not look down). Try to keep your shoulders square and sallow them to move forward and not to block the movement with a rigid bottom arm. Back To Top.
Answered Questions • Next • Page 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 • Back
Answer: Pole vaulting is a total body activity. You should never even consider vaulting with any form of injury. Talk to your parents, coach and doctor before resuming pole vault training. Back To Top.
Question: Are there any pole vault clinics available in the Philadelphia area for the indoor season?
Answer: Please contact Mark Hannay at mhannay@pvei.com. Coach Hannay is a USATF Regional Pole Vault Coach. Back To Top.
Question: I am encouraging two girls on our track team to consider pole vaulting. They would be coached by experienced pole vault coaches (not me) at a local training facility. What physical characteristics should I look for in potential pole vaulters? Both of these girls are 800m runners but they have good speed (29 for 200m) and good strength relative to their weight (based on rope climbing and chin up drills).
Answer: The scope of you inquiry is quite broad. Physical characteristics should be considered along with the mental abilities of concentration and ability to learn new motor skills. Some physical indicators may include: balance, coordination, strength to weight ratio, and speed. Many good high school vaulters seem to have an affinity to excel at other track events and often diverse sports. The athletes you have described already show great potential. Back To Top.
Question: I am a freshman and I am just becoming involved in pole vaulting. I attended a pole vaulting camp this summer and enjoyed it very much. I was wondering if there were any clinics or camps that are in the fall/winter (or anytime before spring track season) that could help me improve my skills. I am willing to travel, so distance is not a problem.
Answer: Your coach may have better knowledge of reputable track camps in your area. You could also check into www.pvei.com Back To Top.
Question: I am a vaulter without a coach at school. We did have 2 seniors that were 15+ who coached me and the other vaulters, but they graduated this year and next year our vault team will not have a coach. I go to a clinic once a week to jump with a real coach. My question is, when I go back to school, should I jump at school without a coach - probably develop bad habits - or should I just jump once a week at the clinic and spend time sprinting at school?
Answer: Try to "recruit" a high school coach to work with you at school. The clinic coach, I am sure, would be happy to mentor and help your new school coach. We suggest you talk to you head coach at school. Always keep a positive attitude and take advantage of supervised vaulting. Back To Top.
Question: I am trying to find the best pole vault coach in the nation with whom I could work with, one-on-one. I am in desperate need of good help. I vault 15' 6" and feel that with the right help I could be one of the best. I am willing to pay the coach or coaches. Please help.
Answer: Study, Study, Study.... as a 15'6" vaulter you are already doing many thing well. There truly is no "one best vault coach" but scores who can help you advance. We suggest you contact a nearby large university with a strong track program. Talk to their coaches for a recommendation of 2-3 coaches who are qualified and available for "one on one" coaching. Back To Top.
Question: Well, I am in an argument with a friend here. Is it possible for a pole to be "softened" when we leave it in the sun? I think not. We are looking forward to the answer.
Answer: Vaulting Poles do not "soften" even under the hottest conditions of the sun. It is true also in the coldest conditions poles do not get stiffer. Back To Top.
Question: I am a vaulter in the Caribbean and here we have no coaches or facilities, I basically have learned everything by looking at videos and using some short, old poles we got at some regional meets. I wanted to know if 3.80m is anywhere the kind of height needed for a college freshman and if it makes sense continuing in this event with my lack of coaching and assistance.
Answer: Most of the time college coaches will look at an athletes best performance and evaluate the athletes physical potential as well as opportunities for training (facilities) and coaching. Athletes and especially vaulters develop on different time lines. Good luck, don't give up. Back To Top.
Question: I am a 13'6" vaulter and stuck there. I have no trouble finishing my vault. It is almost like I sit over the bar. My feet get to where my hands are and I stop the vault. My run and takeoff are pretty good, but I struggle in the air. I was wondering if there are any drills I can do to help me in the off season to help me to be able to reach my goal of 15'6" by the end of my Senior season next year.
Answer: A fundamental and critical concept of pole vaulting is to move the pole to vertical. At the same time your body must swing as a second pendulum (The first is the pole pendulum.) and you should leave/push off the pole with vertical speed. The first suggestion is to lower your grip, move the pole to vertical and land in the center of the pit. One other impediment to a poor swing could be "blocking" with your lower arm. and/or pulling too soon with your top arm. By vaulting on a shorter run – e.g. 3-5 left steps with an appropriately lower grip – you could practice your swing from a long top arm. Try to develop a connection and feeling with your swing timed with the pole movement to vertical. Back To Top.
Question: Hello. I have been working with 3 pole vaulters for one year, they had a coach before me as well. Now they jump 4.70M and the have some mistakes from the past so I would like to ask you where I can find some CD's which describe the right technique.
Answer: There are some good resources for pole vault publication, videos and so on. You could check into the following: www.trackandfieldnews.com, www.stabhochsprung.com and www.pvei.com Back To Top.
Question: I know everyone vaults differently, based on their strengths, weaknesses, body type, speed, etc. I am 5' 10" so I have a fairly high reach, but I am slower in rocking back. My coach and I have played with different grips... like a lower grip of about 13'6" to stiffen up the pole, which causes it to "sling" me more, and a grip at about 14' to give me more time to rock back and get in the desired position. I was wondering what your thoughts on this were, and if you had any advice. I was a gymnast, so I understand how my body works, and I want to find the technique that works best for me. Any response on this topic is much appreciated!
Answer: Strive for the technique model your coach has selected for you. You should think about the concept of vaulting above your grip on the pole sooner rather than later. With a lower grip it is more likely your take off will be "on" and not under, your swing will likely be more efficient to culminate with speed and velocity off the top of the pole. This is more likely what you will feel as opposed to stiffness. Back To Top.
Question: What is the correct way to measure the height of the crossbar for competition?
Answer: With the standards set at "0" measure from the top of the box to the upper part of the lowest point of the bar. This point is typically the middle of the bar. Back To Top.
Question: I have just come back to pole vaulting from a 2 year break. I have cleared 13' 6" so far this season but lately I have been stuck at 13' and I want to soar much higher – I know I have the potential. I was wondering if you could recommend some good drills to help me out with finishing off the top of my jump and my drive.
Answer: The challenge for you is the same as for all vaulters... You should think about your technique in terms of your grip height and how to vault above your top hand. In general, vaulters will start out vaulting heights less than the hand grip and work up to a point where they vault at a height close to the height they hold. For vaulters to advance and continue their improvement, it is important to have the concept of flying off the pole with energy. If the vaulter only vaults as high as their grip they will be limited and their progress will stop. We encourage you to limit your grip and through constant practice and focus on a good plant, take off and swing, you will push off the pole with energy. Good luck in your efforts in reaching 14' and beyond. Back To Top.
Question: I am a slow pole vaulter. I run abound an 11.9 100m but I have jumped 16-3. I'm working on it but my feet are over flat and a doctor told me that they make me 10% slower. In my vault when I rock back I tuck my left knee so far it hits me in the face sometimes, and sometimes I get stuck, I can't seem to fix this. Any advice?
Answer: Some vaulters block and inhibit their swing with a rigid or straight lower arm. As a compensation for this they will "tuck" to try and speed up the swing. Some vaulters have developed their own technique in this way. Try to observe vaulters with comparable ability to yourself. In our opinion your speed is still sufficient to be a 17" vaulter and higher. Back To Top.
Question: I am a highly qualified pole vaulter that would like to vault in college. My best meet vault is 14' 6". I've been at State since I was a Freshman. Many first place winnings, including 3 sectional wins. State will be Friday, 5/30. I want to be a pilot. I would like a scholarship if possible.
Answer: 14'6" is a very good vault in high school. If you have good physical potential, especially speed, you could be a walk on or even get some athletic aid at a "smaller school". Good Luck, follow your dreams. Back To Top.
Question: Any recommendations for a summer Pole Vaulting Camp for a Sophomore girl who's doing about 8.5' - 9'?
Answer: We would advise trying to find a camp in your area. Check out www.trackandfieldnews.com. Back To Top.
Question: I have been pole vaulting for about three and-a-half weeks now, and I am clearing 7.5', and I was wondering if that is any good? I was also wondering (I am on the East Coast) if you know of any good pole vaulting camps because I would really like to get better at it!
Answer: 7 1/2 feet is a great start for any one new to pole vaulting. However the old adage of "learning to crawl before you walk and learning to walk before you run" is important for pole vaulters too. You should be patient and persistent learning the basic and fundamental techniques of the pole carry, approach run, plant and take off before trying to clear bars for height. For pole vault camps check out - www.trackandfieldnews.com. Back To Top.
Question: I vaulted throughout middle school and then stopped for my freshman and sophomore year and I am now pole vaulting again. I have been jumping 13' every meet but I can not seem to break he 13' height. I am 5' 10", 140 lbs. and I use a pole that is 14'. I get great penetration and drive but I am not all that strong so I have trouble finishing the jump. Can you suggest some good exercises that could possibly help me finish my top and reach the potential height of 14' that I have?
Answer: Most successful vaults can be traced back to the approach run, plant and take off. It is important to have the concept of "flying off" the top of the pole. You should determine the proper grip height for your approach run and take off. It is essential the pole reach vertical position and you land in the center of the pit on every vault. Back To Top.
Question: I can't get my turn down... how can I learn to do this and drive my right leg more?
Answer: The priorities for all vaulters is to always get the pole to vertical and to land in the center of the pit. Further it is always to your advantage to push the standard back (75cm/30" in High school). With these concepts combined with an active/fast take off, try to establish the proper grip height for your speed and ability. Your right leg drive will develop with practice. Your turn will have a better chance to improve if you get the pole to vertical and have greater "space" that standards on 75cm will allow. Back To Top.
Question: What kind of drills or other exercises can I do to help my "A"/knee drive so that I do not jump off of two feet?
Answer: Learning new field events such as pole vaulting can at first be uncomfortable for some young athletes. Ask your coach to break down the pole vault to a simple form. This will include standing and walking drills to (eventually) making a low impact jump off one foot. You should begin with one, two, three and four step approaches to jump off one leg. Eventually with confidence you can concentrate on jumps with more speed, aggression and power. It is important to think about pole vaulting with an active and strong take off to drive your take off knee up and forward. Back To Top.
Question: What is the minimum safe distance recommended on the back and sides of the pit for trees, fences, etc.? 5 Feet? 10 Feet? Is there a published standard?
Answer: We do not know of a published standard. The pit should be clear of all obstructions and distractions. Use common sense, 10' lower seems quite close, 25' would be a better option. Back To Top.
Question: I have been vaulting for one year now. I have jumped 11' 6", right now I'm at the point to learn inversion. My coach has been having me rope swing, for some reason I can't transfer that to my vault. What can I do to suck my bottom arm in during my vault?
Answer: Think more in terms of swinging from your top arm. Some vaulters who have learned to vault with a stiff bottom arm do not allow the shoulders to mover forward. When this occurs the swing of the whole body, fixed by the top hand will stop and the vaulter not invert properly. Focus on reaching as high as possible at take off, keep your head in a neutral position (do not look down). Try to keep your shoulders square and sallow them to move forward and not to block the movement with a rigid bottom arm. Back To Top.
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