May I suggest that both groups - young athletes seeking basic information and serious students of the event - take the time to look at "From beginner to Bubka -an Australian approach to developing pole vaulters". Although this book is only what i term a 'working fiction' - that is it can only attempt to approximate the truth - it does provide beginners with much of the information they need and i believe will at least provide some information, knowledge and perhaps even wisdom about the Petrov/Bubka model and its advantages. Note that i do not criticise any US vaulter but i do make minor critical comments about the technique of Tarasov and Markov - both 6.05 jumpers and the latter a personal friend.
Even more importantly the book shows how it is possible to introduce young athletes to elements of this technical model from the beginning of their careers in the vault. So instead of there being a trickle down of ideas from the elite level - a bridge is built -as the title implies, from beginner to Bubka.
Those who read it with an open mind may learn something, but I am sure that those who like to criticise will find plenty on offer. Writing a book means that your ideas are virtually carved in stone - with the blemishes all there to be seen; they cannot be fudged or disowned once the book goes to the printers. So those who like to criticise others can rail against the ideas in the book to their hearts content. It it helps them relieve their angst then at least something good will come from the experience.
Like an athlete i have given it my best shot. i would hope you will respond like good coaches -applaud the effort, be supportive but critique it only where necessary.
Since producing the book I have put two seminal articles on my site "From beginner to Bubak.com/net. the first outlines the advantages of the model very succinctly - and better than i have done it in the book - while the second explains the dangers of trying to seriously bend the pole before take off.
