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This may sound like a dumb question, but where is the highest you can hold on the top of the pole? I was told you cannot hold at the very end, because the weight of the pole would drop down 10lbs.

The rules say that you cannot hold the pole higher tahn 6 inches from the top. Most maufacturers put a big band right around that spot to make you hold beneath that point. As far as making the pole softer, yeah it will probably feel a little softer but technically its not safe to hold so close to the open end.

I think its a stupid rule, if the right grip is at the top of the pole, then do it you shouldnt have to get a new pole. College lets you grip at the very top

there's that orange band at the top of the poles that certify the weight, and in high school you cannot hold above that.

yea i knew you couldnt hold above that band but the other kid in DE who is my only real competition uses a UCS and his orange band is all the way at the top. My question is did he move it?? and if so is that illegal?? or did UCS used to make poles with the band at the very top

at my school we have a UCS and the band is higher...maybe only like 3 or 4 inches from the top. i jump on a rocket and it's like 4 inches from the top and i hold about 6 inches from the top on a 13'1 1/2'' pole...
between H.S. and NCAA...i think it's so stupid how they regulate...NCAA standards can be 0...but no less than 15.5 in H.S. how gay...

LancerVaulter07 wrote:at my school we have a UCS and the band is higher...maybe only like 3 or 4 inches from the top. i jump on a rocket and it's like 4 inches from the top and i hold about 6 inches from the top on a 13'1 1/2'' pole...
between H.S. and NCAA...i think it's so stupid how they regulate...NCAA standards can be 0...but no less than 15.5 in H.S. how gay...

NCAA standards can only be between 45 and 80 cms, which is about 18-32 inches.

on a couple of our poles, the sticker is at the top...on the pole I use the sticker is like a foot from the top so it's kindo low for where I should be holding.

HighVaultage wrote:yea i knew you couldnt hold above that band but the other kid in DE who is my only real competition uses a UCS and his orange band is all the way at the top. My question is did he move it?? and if so is that illegal?? or did UCS used to make poles with the band at the very top

I would think that he didn't move the sticker, you can make um' like that if you really wanted too i assume. And moving it would be illegal i'm positive

BrownPV2009 wrote:The rules say that you cannot hold the pole higher tahn 6 inches from the top.

Not anymore. The rules now say you need to hold below wherever the manufacturer puts the label.

Technically, old poles that did not come with weight rating labels (such as UCS Spirit) are not supposed to be used anymore. If you have an old Spirit, you can call them and supposedly they will send you a label.

There is no longer a provision in the rules that says you can add your own colored band. If I was an official, I would let it slide, but if you are at a big meet, they might be strict about it.

As far as where you can safely hold, assuming that it is the right grip for you, it is perfectly safe to grip the very top of the pole... just against the rules in high school.

HighVaultage wrote:yea i knew you couldnt hold above that band but the other kid in DE who is my only real competition uses a UCS and his orange band is all the way at the top. My question is did he move it?? and if so is that illegal?? or did UCS used to make poles with the band at the very top

UCS bands are pink with white numbers. He must have put his own band on which is now illegal.