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It is quite common for vaulters to push the bottom hand forward when lowering the pole during the approach and during the plant. This causes some problems:

(a) It is important that the vaulter maintain an upright posture, particularly during the last few steps. Pushing the bottom hand and pole forward tends to pull the vaulter’s body forward.

(b) Pushing the bottom hand outward toward the box creates a poor axis for the pole to rotate around during the plant.

(c) Pushing both hands forward during the plant can result in the tip of the pole reaching the back of the box prematurely forcing the vaulter onto his/her back too soon which ultimately destroys the power of the vault.

The Russian style of vaulting can reduce or eliminate these problems. The Russian style calls for the vaulter to keep the bottom hand high and close to the chest as the pole is lowered during the approach and while starting to lower the tip of the pole into the box during the plant.

It has been “ingrainedâ€Â

Vaultfan - you are right that this specific element of technique was not explained in Beginner to Bubka. Unfortunately you will find that other highly technical elements of the Petrov/Bubka model were also missed as well. The reason is simple - the book was intended for beginning coaches, and even parents, not experts like yourself, so i attempted to explain the more basic elements of that technical model. If you have been reading the many -very elementary - questions posted on PVP - you will appreciate the need for the information i DID provide.

However i would suggest that with young athletes -or anyone not gripping too high - as they start the plant action proper - as right handers note - as the left foot begins to move forwards three steps out this naturally moves the left shoulder forward and opens up the right shoulder. This enables them to move the pole up the right side -keeping the right hand close -so that by the time the right foot begins to move forward into the penultimate stride the pole is over the shoulder moving up into the final plant position and the shoulders are now square. This happens naturally if the plant proper is started at the right moment and does not -perhaps should - not need to emphasised. See Figures 23.2 and 23.3 which show Tarasov 'squaring up' in Beginner to Bubka.

I suggest that what Petrov described (and i was also at his session in reno), is an advanced element of technique which becomes important with high grips - where Petrov - at least in 1999 wanted the plant to start fractionally sooner. Remember that for many years Vitaly has only coached elite athletes and has spent most of his coachiing career dealing with and thinking about. the most advanced elements of technique! .

Incidentally was there anything you did like about 'Beginner to Bubka'?

My humble -well not too humble - view is that at the very least, it may focus attention on the fundamental elements of the Petrov/Bubka model and perhaps help to eliminate the uniformed comments which litter this forum while providing valuable information and not a little wisdom for those who really need it. However I have always seen it as merely a 'working fiction'. Note below

"We realise that this (Beginner to Bubka) cannot be THE definitive statement of how to develop pole vaulters." BTB Preface Pvi

Mr. Launder, I am the person, a few years younger than you, that had a very enjoyable visit with you at Reno. I had gotten an address from you to post on this message board so that people would know where to order your book. And, I did make a post to the message board shortly after Reno after corresponding with Sean Brown via e-mail.

My friend, you have completely misinterpreted my comments. I am very glad that you have written this book! Thank you again for autographing it for me. You may have noticed that I have made several references to your book in recent posts.

I thought it rather odd that very few vaulters keep the bottom hand high and close to the chest even though Petrov seems to stress the need to do so. I thought perhaps that many people may not realize that there was a necessity to turn the upper body slightly during the transition and bring the body back to square while raising the pole above the head. Brian Ferry, in his book, "Modern Pole Vaulting" explained the process, but I think that his explanation is a bit confusing. At least one person accused him of recommending a roundhouse plant.

So, I made the post hoping that you would expound upon the topic and perhaps make a clearer explanation of it.

I'm hardly the expert. You are.

Well vaultfan if you are not an expert you are certainly thinking like one. Sorry if there was some asperity in my 'tone' on the last post. Life is not always smooth and it gets reflected in ones writing.

I tried to deal with the issue you raised on page 146 in BTB. The key is the way the wrist is rolled upwards to begin to move the upper end of the pole high while the left hand stays high acting as a fulcrum for the pole to rotate around. Petrov certainly believes this is important -when he first showed me in 1985 and i tried to replicate it, he hit me on my hand every time it dropped.

I agree that many vaulters - including Bubka on some vaults-let this hand drop when it should stay high. The rationale for the latter of course is -why let something go down when immediately afterards you have to punch it back high again? The important issue is perhaps not what vaulters do but what they are always trying to do - note Bubka and the prejump for example "I was only able to do it a few times"although it was always part of his target technique.

However the issue you have raised has rarely if ever been addressed because i believe it only affects vaulters gripping high - 5.00 plus on heavy poles. If they tried to stay 'square' they would have to move the pole up with almost all of it in front of their centre of mass - with the torque foces involved this would create enormous problems at a crtical point in the vault. By doing what Bubka is shown doing in BTB - rotating the right shoulder back- he brings the centre of mass of the pole back towards the center of mass of his body - in the same way a lifter tries to keep the bar aligned with his body COM in a clean and jerk. This reduces slightly the torque forces at a critical phase as he begins the plant proper. I suspect that this was his intuitive way of solving a problem.

I do not believe it is an element of technique we should TEACH young vaulters because they usually never face the problems caused by a a heavy pole. Keep them -or try to keep them -square and if any become Bubkas allow them to modify their technique in this way!

Remember that the book is a 'working fiction'. In some parts because i think no one -and I mean no one - is absolutely sure of some elements but also in others because because I believe that the the novice can never apply all of the wisdom of a Jedi master. I hope this goes some way to answering your excellent post.

Remember the weird Hungarian!