need a coach! ;)

[master]

I would think it is all about timing. If you wait till the pole is straight, you will have a hard time reacting quickly enough to contribute to that momentum. Your arms/body will have a tough time pushing back as fast as your body is going up. If you pull too soon, you will contribute to keeping the pole bent a little longer and when it does respond, you will not be in a physical position (because you have pulled and maybe started to turn) that will be easy to maintain while the pole is "returning" energy to you. What I am trying to say with that last sentence might be better communicated with an example. Imagine being on a pair of rings. Position A has you upside down with your body straight in line with the ropes supporting the rings. Position B has you doing a handstand on the rings. Again body upside down and straight in line with the ropes. Now imagine those ropes being pulled up into the ceiling quickly. In which position would you have the better chance of capturing all that energy?

[fx]

Good post, I see what you mean. But ideally, you would still want to be on top of the pole before it recoils if you could maintain that position and not get away from the pole am I correct?

[MillerTime]

thanks everybody, good stuff, good stuff. im definitally gonna improve because of the tips.