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Pole Vault Quiz - Which pole is bigger?
Pop quiz

Which pole is bigger - a 12' 160 or a 13'145? A 14'145 or a 15'140? An 11'120 or 12'110?

If you answered 12'160, 14'145, or 11'120, you need to review this chart so that you have a better understanding of a term called relative stiffness

http://www.skyjumpers.com/articles/pvpr ... table.html


Think of relative stiffness as a measure of the amount of raw energy it takes to move a pole vaulting pole into the pit.

If you are holding a 14'145 at 14' and a 15'140 at 14', in general, it will take more energy to rotate the 15' pole into the pit.

Q: "Well what if I just hold higher on the 15' pole?"

A: Holding higher will make the pole bend easier, but holding higher means you need more energy to rotate the pole into the pit. If you are not fast enough/technically proficient enough for a 15' pole, raising your grip will probably give you a big bend and a vault that makes you come own on the crossbar.

Well I'm using a 13'6 150, and this is pole I jumped on to like for about couple weeks now. I'm training indoors about 1-2 times a week. I did a pole change from 13' 135 to 13'6 150 which was hard for me because I'm not used to the pushing. :/

But this chart is really useful.

Thanks!

Whats that general rule of thumb (Only for estimating) if you dont have that chart with you, like a 14' 140 is equalent to a 14'6 130? like holding 6 inches from the top raises the relative stiffness APPROXIMATELY 10 Ibs or so?

vault3rb0y wrote:Whats that general rule of thumb (Only for estimating) if you dont have that chart with you, like a 14' 140 is equalent to a 14'6 130? like holding 6 inches from the top raises the relative stiffness APPROXIMATELY 10 Ibs or so?

6 inches from the top of the maximum handhold area is about 10lbs stiffer.