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Okay so here's the deal. How do I transition from inverting on softer poles to inverting on harder ones?

Softer: 13' 145 lb Skypole (dunno flex rating)

Harder: 13' 7" 150 lb UCS (once again dunno flex rating).

I'm 130ish lbs, 5' 8" and halfish, running from 5 lefts

I was at practice today, and inverted on the 13' 145lb skypole (holding at about 12'), but I also blew threw it and it did not pop me up at all.

But when I got on the 13'7(holding around 12' 2") , it was really hard just getting my feet up. I still blew through a little, but I couldn't invert to the slightest bit.

How do I adjust my swing or swing faster on this pole?

SO, what do I do?

sooch90 wrote:Okay so here's the deal. How do I transition from inverting on softer poles to inverting on harder ones?

Softer: 13' 145 lb Skypole (dunno flex rating)

Harder: 13' 7" 150 lb UCS (once again dunno flex rating).

I'm 130ish lbs, 5' 8" and halfish, running from 5 lefts

I was at practice today, and inverted on the 13' 145lb skypole (holding at about 12'), but I also blew threw it and it did not pop me up at all.

But when I got on the 13'7(holding around 12' 2") , it was really hard just getting my feet up. I still blew through a little, but I couldn't invert to the slightest bit.

How do I adjust my swing or swing faster on this pole?

SO, what do I do?

it is easier to invert on a smaller pole but it is also easier to invert when you are holding higher....holding 12 2 is not that far up from then sail piece and since holding so low it will recoil much faster because there isnt enough radius for the pole to bend

Ah so the solution is to raise my grip? And to swing all the way back?

sooch90 wrote:Ah so the solution is to raise my grip? And to swing all the way back?

if you can raise your grip dont do anything drastic and get rejected....if you cant raise ur grip then the other way would to get a stiffer 13 foot pole

nitro wrote:

sooch90 wrote:Ah so the solution is to raise my grip? And to swing all the way back?

if you can raise your grip dont do anything drastic and get rejected....if you cant raise ur grip then the other way would to get a stiffer 13 foot pole

Ah, I'll be okay raising my grip. I was blowing threw it today, but don't worry I raise in 3in increments and I'm concious of where I land in the pit.

I just always had the idea that no matter what pole you're on, it's always easier to swing and invert when you hold lower? I guess I'm wrong about that?

So would it be beneficial to use a 14' 150 (going from maybe 6 steps instead of 5)?

Not until you can jump over your handgrip on the 13-7 pole. Also how you swing does not necessarily depend on how high you grip, but rather how fast the pole moves to verticle... If it takes a long time to get there, then your swing will be slow, but if your pole moves fast you should be able to swing fast.

But yes, I think you are holding too low on the 13-7... but again move up 2 inches until comfortable and you don't lose swing speed...

To understand how to invert on stiffer poles you need to understand why its harder how you can use the stiffer pole to your advantage when swinging. The stiffer the pole, the faster it wants to GET YOU OFF of it, thats a given. The only way to keep it from doing that is to continue the flow of energy into the pole. The instant you stop, the pole will start to recoil. Its easier on the softer poles because you can feel the energy you put into it more than a stiff pole, because it bends way more. However if you take identical jumps on a stiff and soft pole, there is the same amount of energy in both.

Ok, now that you understand that, you should understand your swing isnt just to get you inverted, its to swing so fast that there is EXTRA energy after inversion to apply to the pole. If you cant invert on a stiffer pole, its because you arent creating enough energy to keep the pole moving, and you need to swing faster and tune your form up. As for the pole jump, personally i think a 13' 145 to a 13-7 150 is a pretty big jump. If the 13-7 was cut to a 13', it would be about a 13' 160-165 with a high sail piece. Thats a big jump from a 145!! You need to find a 13' 150 or equivalent to jump to. Its probably possible to get through on the 13' 165, but with better pole jumps you will feel what happens to the energy you put in the pole more easily. Keep your same grip until you are jumping a foot over your handgrip. If you wiegh 130 and are jumping on 150's you should go at least 1' over your grip even with crude form. good luck.

blah, I feel like I'm not swinging back as much as I can. Even on the soft poles, I don't swing my feet all the way to the pole, but I invert before my feet touch the pole.

Also, when I'm jumping, I notice my hips always sort of lag behind. I can get my feet up, but my hips look sluggish and I think that might be preventing me from inverting on bigger poles. How do you get the hips to move faster?
Is it an active drive knee? At take off I drive my knee, but then my drive knee never really "drives to my chest", and my trail leg sometimes swings past my drive knee.

it just takes time to get inverted first off you need to trust your pole get comfortable on the pole you use and always be consistent, then it should just come naturally to you one day and then you will get it, just wait for the perfect day