Cant get into the pit after bending pole(Help?)

[bri_guy636]

Ok, Well ive been lurking on the forum and need some help, so here goes.

My weight: 135 lb
Height: 5'6"

Pole: 13' Skypole 140 lb

Ive just started to get the pole to bend, and to keep my arms in front of me. But I cant go anywere after the bend. I bend it, get my feet up but I cant get the "push" I need to get into the pit or over the bar. Ive tried waiting on the pole longer, but I still cant seem to get it. My coach says I need to wait on the pole and let the pole take me, but I just cant get it. I ended up off the mats today trying to be patient with the pole. Ive been practicing this for 3 days and still cant get anywere. Im sorry I dont have the ability to get video.

Im a highschool senior, and love polevaulting, but I just cant get it no matter how hard I practice.

Im holding about a foot from the top, and have tried going higher but its not helping. Any help? Thanks im getting very frustrated

[vault3rb0y]

are you swinging? I assume thats the "waiting" you are talking about, the wait before you swing. If you are swinging, try it without swinging, just stay tall throughout the entire jump. And holding higher would actually make it harder to get through. Even though the pole will bend more, you are forcing it to shoot you higher, and physics doesnt like that. Ideally, you need to find or get a hold of a 11'6 or 12'0 145. Then allign your grips with that of your other pole, hold around 11'6. This will get you used to the bend even more, and you can clear some hieghts with it. Once you start going through that pole (standards all the way back, hitting the bar on the way up) try the 13 140 with the same grip, or just slightly higher. But if you dont have any other pole to jump on, You should actually move down a hand hold or 2, depending on how close you are to getting into the pit. It wont bend as much but you will start getting into the pit. good luck! post again if you have any problems

[bri_guy636]

Thanks, I am not swinging very well, but im working on it. Yes, this is the only pole we have that I can use. I will try moving down the pole some, I wish it wasnt so late in the season, ive only 2 weeks untill counties and thats it. My highest vault is 10 feet, but that was without bending the pole at all, and with bad form.

[nitro]

lower the grip and maybe go smaller


if the pole is over bending and landing short then u have to keep lowering your grip

[LPVG]

"Ive just started to get the pole to bend, and to keep my arms in front of me" says it all.

You are probably jumping with a straight lower arm at takeoff and moving it forward and down. If you move your arms past vertical, you are effectively moving your center of gravity further forward. That arm movement makes it literally impossible to get your body past the CG and back to the pole. The bottom arm must press upward as you chase the bend in the pole, then it becomes relatively easy to continue the swing to inversion.
Good luck
LPVG