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I see a lot of vaulters pressing out and keeping the bend of the pole straight in front of them.

It would be nice if somebody could explain the advantages or disadvantages of this technique.

i would like to hear some debate about this please

The pole rolling out to the left (for rightys) is a function of the movement of the arms during the swing. Anyone who keeps the bend straight in front of them during the vault won't be able to swing up to vertical. The pole would get in the way! The initial bend should be straight ahead, but once the swing is initiated, the pole should begin to "roll" out to the side, making way for the vaulter to complete a full swing into the optimal position to maximze the enrgy returned from the pole. Blocking the bottom arm and keeping the bend straight ahead will only hinder the swing and the only thing I see coming from that is penetrating the pole deeper into the mats.

What does Toby do?

ashcraftpv wrote:The pole rolling out to the left (for rightys) is a function of the movement of the arms during the swing. Anyone who keeps the bend straight in front of them during the vault won't be able to swing up to vertical. The pole would get in the way! The initial bend should be straight ahead, but once the swing is initiated, the pole should begin to "roll" out to the side, making way for the vaulter to complete a full swing into the optimal position to maximze the enrgy returned from the pole. Blocking the bottom arm and keeping the bend straight ahead will only hinder the swing and the only thing I see coming from that is penetrating the pole deeper into the mats.

I agree If the pole doesn't move or roll to the side I don't see a way the hips could come between the hands and the vaulter getting their center of gravity behind the pole.

slowest5.50 wrote:

ashcraftpv wrote:The pole rolling out to the left (for rightys) is a function of the movement of the arms during the swing. Anyone who keeps the bend straight in front of them during the vault won't be able to swing up to vertical. The pole would get in the way! The initial bend should be straight ahead, but once the swing is initiated, the pole should begin to "roll" out to the side, making way for the vaulter to complete a full swing into the optimal position to maximze the enrgy returned from the pole. Blocking the bottom arm and keeping the bend straight ahead will only hinder the swing and the only thing I see coming from that is penetrating the pole deeper into the mats.

I agree If the pole doesn't move or roll to the side I don't see a way the hips could come between the hands and the vaulter getting their center of gravity behind the pole.

Well now that I think about it, I guess you could but wouldn't it be way out in front?

in the videos of Yelena Isinbayeva jumping 5.00 in london shows a great example of this.

there was a post that had links to 5 of her jumps. if the links dont work anymore, i have all the VDO's on my computer still.

http://www.polevaultpower.com/forum/vie ... php?t=6375

I checked out that footage. She rolled!

Why do you think so many vaulters, especially HS boys and girls, do this? Is it the technique being taught to them, or maybe just a lack of concern about that particular phase of their vault?

i wanna see the *successful* vault where the pole does NOT roll off to the side of the bottom arm.. i mean really.. us guys know that that is just somethin' you not only can't do, but, don't WANNA do......

Going back to the beginning of the post. Is this about keeping the pole infront of you the whole time or the pole moving to the side. OR is it about pressing it infront. Is it about POLES or ARMS

My original question was about the pole.

Sorry but i have a question now,

Isn't the rolling of the pole a natural movement due to the designed "bend" point in the pole plus the action of the bottom arm?

I don't think, if this is what one is implying, that one should push the arms anywhere but straight ahead. The swinging of the trail leg with the pressure of the top arm cause the pole to compress right? Well if you notice the clip, once yelena's top hand is aligned with her straigt trail leg, which would put her body at a 45 degree angle (more or less), this is when i notice the pole starting to roll.
Its hard to see from this angle, but i think the rolling of the pole is due to that, the pole is already compress at this point so the pressure of the left arm causes it to move out of the way.
I think hs kids should be taught, once ready, to be a big bottom arm including a big ripping down with shoulders at the same time

my 2 cents