PoleVaultPower.com

Background:
So Im a Sr who normally does sprints, but I added PV to my events because we are losing too many points in the event. Im pretty much self taught through DVDs and other information from people on here

Problem:
My first day I was clearing 8'-0" over and over again with a natural turn.
The second day it was 9'-0", and that's where it had kind of been at a stand still. Im getting that rockback fear when I try to bend the pole. I can't give exact grip heighths and pole length at the moment but will as soon as I can.

Im a quick learner. However, I have less than 1 month until Sectionals to vault about 11'-6" - 12'-0". Seems like an impossible goal now, but it's something Im really pushing towards. I already have an obsession with pole vaulting. I just discovered the MID MARK CHART so I will probably try to go by that for awhile.

Anyway, how do you get rid of the rockback fear? And are there any other tips anyone can give me?

Assuming you are a male with reasonable speed -as a sprinter you should be ok - I would suggest that you stop worrying about executing a rockback -just run up, take off and swing over the bar! With a decent run up and take off you can grip high enough on a pole to jump 13' going over the bar in a
sitting position!

That said -if you dont have a coach and especially if your facilities are not right up to spec - dont pole vault just to get a few points for the team.

Where are you located?

Southern Illinois. I will post all of the specs for my body weight and height and my pole weight and height after today's meet.

Sorry for insufficient posting.

Body Weight: 143 lbs
Body Height: 5'-7"

SkyPole Weight: 140 lbs
SkyPole height: 13'-6"

SkyPole grip: about 10'-6"
Personal Record: 9'-0"

I know I'm a little overweight for my pole, but I honestly have no more weight to lose, and I figured that since I'm not bending the pole just yet, a few pounds won't hurt...

According to the mid mark chart, my PR is right on with my grip... but I just started and have been using a 5 stride approach (of which I'm going to change to 6 today).

altius-
I'm not sure if my problem is actually trying to rock back. It's more like I'm trying to bend the pole enough and go forward at the same time.. but I go straight up in the air or off towards the right side of the mat. After watching a rival school's kids do it, I guess I want great height NOW instead of slowly working on it bit by bit :/

Also, should I go ahead and start practicing with a 150 lb, 14'-6" pole?

GET ON A LEGAL POLE!!! You're endangering yourself, even if you aren't really bending it. If you stall out big time or take off really flat one jump then SNAP!

If you're going to the right side of the mat, most likely you are planting late. Get your plant high and strong, and then JUMP UP HARD AND FOLLOW THROUGH! Then the swing won't be as much of a challenge. All you need to focus on for now is run, plant, jump, swing, clear. No technicalities for a little while.

powerplant42 wrote:GET ON A LEGAL POLE!!! You're endangering yourself, even if you aren't really bending it. If you stall out big time or take off really flat one jump then SNAP!

If you're going to the right side of the mat, most likely you are planting late. Get your plant high and strong, and then JUMP UP HARD AND FOLLOW THROUGH! Then the swing won't be as much of a challenge. All you need to focus on for now is run, plant, jump, swing, clear. No technicalities for a little while.

I really doubt he's in danger of breaking a 13'6 140 when he weighs 143 and is holding 10'6 and not bending.

However, eventually you will get better and you will be bending the pole, so if your school doesn't own anything rated at or above your weight they need to work on getting something.

I guess it's not THAT big of a deal, but I don't know, maybe it's a really old beat up pole, where I guess it shouldn't even be used in the first place... but it could get you in a jam at a meet if an official finds out somehow.

What about the standards measurement? how do you know if you need to be at 15" or 25"? (closer/further)

rainbowgirl28 wrote:
I really doubt he's in danger of breaking a 13'6 140 when he weighs 143 and is holding 10'6 and not bending.

Thanks, Becca, for not being a reactionary about this!

SeniorBeginnerPVer wrote:What about the standards measurement? how do you know if you need to be at 15" or 25"? (closer/further)

I make my vaulters keep them all the way back (about 32") so that they learn how to vault and land deep in the pit.

That's a good place to practice, and it's really the best place you can have your standards at a meet if you swing hard. But don't be afraid to adjust if you're coming up a little short one meet, because chances are, you won't fix this during a competition jump, so this will give you the best chance at clearing... Definitely try to keep them way back though, ESPECIALLY during practice.