step counting during run up.

[FlyerChick4]

I agree. Count down, that way no matter how many lefts (or rights for you lefties out there) you are going the cue to start your pole drop and plant is always the same. I personally count out loud. I can't jump without counting. So my advice to anyone is to learn to count down. It helps a lot.

[agapit]

I agree. Count down, that way no matter how many lefts (or rights for you lefties out there) you are going the cue to start your pole drop and plant is always the same. I personally count out loud. I can't jump without counting. So my advice to anyone is to learn to count down. It helps a lot.

You know when you jump with the tail wind you should start pole plant later and with head wind earlier.

As far as counting goes I have no proof that it helps or hurts.

[ashcraftpv]

You know when you jump with the tail wind you should start pole plant later and with head wind earlier.

As far as counting goes I have no proof that it helps or hurts.

true, but I use it as a mental cue for my beginning vaulters to help them time their plant. I've done it so many times in demonstrating for them, that I still someitmes count silently during my approach.

[vaultin chris]

i dont count all the time, but i has never hurt me when i do count...if that helps...when i do pole runs...i sometimes count my lefts to make sure that my last three steps (L, R, TO) are so fast i cant say "... 9..10"

[KYLE ELLIS]

counting is for losers, if your thinking about planting on your second to last step then??? And my experience of counting some people hit harder on whatever foot they are counting on, its harder to get a good rhythm, and if people mess up the count they are screwed. And if your thinking about counting then you probably wont be able to focus on anything else.

[agapit]

counting is for losers, if your thinking about planting on your second to last step then??? And my experience of counting some people hit harder on whatever foot they are counting on, its harder to get a good rhythm, and if people mess up the count they are screwed. And if your thinking about counting then you probably wont be able to focus on anything else.

I would not say it is for losers. Many winners count. Some people believe it gives them rhythmic queue. The reason I do not coach counting is that I coach to perceive the vault as one act with the focus on the end (pole release). Counting, I think, would promote a division of the event into separate parts.

At the very end, the focus, the flow and imagery, where parts disappear, is what differentiates great from good. Perceiving the event as a one act with crescendo at the end is the ultimate objective.

[Tubaman]

I personally go off of more of a rhythm than anything, counting just messes me up. It's good for when your learning the runway and rhythm though.

[scubastevesgirly]

I had a dream that i was in my backyard doing pole runs and counting my steps...I ended up every one falling flat on my face in a muddy puddle...

[Marengo139]

My coach never tried to make me count my steps but i thought i would try it one day

Lets just say it did not go as planned
I just try to focus on getting my plant up high.

[altius]

Just check out William Munney, aka Clint Eastwood, the gunfighter in the movie "Unforgiven". He provides the answer to this question.

[JTred]

I count 3-2-1-3-2-1 then i usually dont count the flat-flat at the end. If I don't count it throws my whole vault off. I find counting helps keep your mind off other things like wind, people talking next to the runway, and starting gunshots.

[altius]

As I expected, agapit has the same answer as William Munney would have given!