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Hi. Always when im jumping i get a bruise on my forearm (at the lower arm), and its exactly the same area every time. Last summer when i was jumping i had the same problem, after some time the bruise got about 1x3dm! Not so very nice.. my forearm isnt so much longer than 3dm!
I have only just started jumping a little bit again (after some problems with injures) so the bruise is not so bad (yet), but still i somehow hurt myself at the same place. I wonder if anyone else have ever had the same problem and know why it happen? Could it be because im jumping with a too soft pole? Would be greatful for all answers i can get, i dont want peaple to think that someone is beating me up!

It's a sign that you're getting connected well on a soft pole. Buy a forearm pad and you'll be fine.

Aha.. I thought i was doing something really wrong.. Thank you! I'll just keep on jumping then =)

turn earlier

Bad. Too slow on your swing and passive on the arm support of the swing. This has been on previous posts. Check it out.

Rick Baggett
WSTC LLC

AVC Coach wrote:It's a sign that you're getting connected well on a soft pole. Buy a forearm pad and you'll be fine.

baggetpv wrote:Bad. Too slow on your swing and passive on the arm support of the swing. This has been on previous posts. Check it out.

I think both of these statements are true. The bruise means you are hitting a decent position on a soft pole. As you swing faster and your arms come more into play you will go up poles, they will bend more, and you will stop hitting your forearm. It’s a learning progression thing, and you are probably on the right track. Some of my best jumpers have gone through this process in the beginning.

This is very common, especially in beginners but in some elite jumpers as well. The bottom line for you right now is to protect it. An extra small soccer shin guard works well if you are hitting it hard. As you progress a small pad will be fine and eventually you may not need anything.

So I should keep on jumping with the softer pole and work on a faster swing before I start training with a harder pole? And be more active with my arms in the swing?

AnnSofie wrote:So I should keep on jumping with the softer pole and work on a faster swing before I start training with a harder pole? And be more active with my arms in the swing?

Once you start swinging faster, you will blow the pole out, and it should be a natural progression to move to stiffer poles. All of this, however, is dependant on having a fundamentally sound plant and takeoff. It sounds to me like you are about to PR, but until I see your plant I can't tell. Can you post any videos?

The talk of the bruise on softer poles and not bigger ones is definitely true. I never feel my forearm hurt on my long run on gripping 14', but i always feel in on an 8 step short run gripping 12'6 on a softer pole. Then i will sometimes feel it on a short run, but i dont think it means you are necessarily doing things good or bad, its just something that happens from jump to jump.

dude.
i think bruises are hardcore. People are like WOAH DEMI, WHAT HAPPENED?! (when they see that narly bruise on my forearm).. and im like pcshhh...thats what happens when you jump like a champ.
oh dang. Thats right.
but yeahh. . .a little sweat band thingy will do the trick for sure. my coach told me that pretty soon your arm will just become prone to it and it wont bruise anymore.

AVC Coach wrote:It's a sign that you're getting connected well on a soft pole. Buy a forearm pad and you'll be fine.

I wouldn't say its on a soft pole I get one on the poles I use on a regular basis, I think it has to do with how hard you are collapsing your bottom arm, I always have one going on while vault season is going. Forego the forearm pad, consider it a mark of honor, wear it with pride (unless it bothers you of course) hehe