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I've been reading some of the thread on taking off under, hand positions, body positions, and the free takeoff. All of these may be factors to a problem that I am spotting in my jump... the hips going too early.

This outdoor season, I've been using a midmark... 4 lefts from takeoff (at 67'). At that point, I've been working on better frequency (and less reaching) into the takeoff. As a result, I have been able to takeoff more consistently from the correct takeoff point (around 12'9"). I am holding around 15'6".

However, I am still finding it difficult at times to keep my hips from going too early. Here is a picture a little after takeoff that may illustrate my point. This was last year, before I did my runway work.

http://www.polevaultpower.com/media/04tacoma/slides/P7040163.html

Here is what appears to be a sequence, but they're actually from 2 different jumps:

http://www.polevaultpower.com/media/04si/slides/P6200138.html

http://www.polevaultpower.com/media/04si/slides/P6200156.html

A little help anyone?

Thanks! Polevaultpower rules!

Crap... the first link is wrong... it was supposed to be:

http://www.polevaultpower.com/media/04tacoma/slides/P7040162.html

Sorry about that.

my personaly, and by no means professional opinion is that your takeoff appears "low."

i'm a firm believer in jumping up at takeoff..... i've heard many arguments against it but i believe in it...

if you try to jump up with proper running technique its near impossible to lead iwth your hips, unless you're leaning back when running.....The reality is if you try to jump up, the pole stops your upper body from moving but your hips will react, but i've leanred by jumping up as high as you can you can keep your hips back longer to load the pole that much more.....

just an opinion, sorry if it doesnt help...

What you're saying makes sense, and it was something that I was getting from some other threads as well. I'd be interested to hear some other opinions too.

Thanks!

Here's my take from the photos you show. You seem to be looking up too much at take-off. At take-off, you should be focusing straight ahead. When the head looks up, the hips get sucked under and the trail leg becomes bent too early.

Do you have a link to an image where your take off foot is just leaving the ground? That might give a clue as to what is happening next in your vault.
I am no expert, but it appears your pole is bent more than it should be at that early stage in the vault. I would agree with bjvando that you are "sinking" after take off and that jumping/leaping into the vault can minimize sinking. An agressive attempt to push up tall with both arms, lead with the chest and drive quickly off the take off foot could possibly help.

To me it looks like you are "blocking" with your left arm

there are few pictures so take this for what it is worth, but you should be leading with your chest, don't lock out your left, it should be allowed to come back further, as if you are looking through both arms, this will allow your shoulders to drop...the issue isn't your hips, it's your shoulders from what I see....check out the book Beginner to Bubka, they cover this issue in depth

I agree with Master, we need to see your step at take off. If you are under most of the time then your hips will be forced forward too early.

I also agree that you need to plant higher. I tell my vaulters to push the pole up at plant and when they do, they always say, "That was so easy."

Get us that picture.