Video Critique please - Updated 25 March

[OUvaulterUSAF]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=rDmpbD9mLCo

Since I don't have a coach I figure a couple of you experts can critique my form. I read BTB cover to cover about 4 times (referenced certain sections numerous times) and am trying to mimic that style...still trying to perfect the whip to vertical with the elongated trail leg.

1st jump at 16'
2nd jump attempted 16'4"

Grip 15'2"
Pole: 16' 19.2 flex (felt a bit soft)
Run: 8 lefts (103')
Take-off: ~13'
Standards: 80

Oh and I am a fan of the new soft box.

[souleman]

If everybody else wouldn't mind critiqueing my critique, I'd really appreciate it (being a new coach and everything). Here's what I saw (and please tell me if I'm right or wrong as well as helping our vaulter here). Yes, it looked like the pole was a little soft but I don't think you could bring one a lot stiffer to verticle. Next, on both jumps I thought I could see where a little taller plant might help. Right arm didn't fully extend till you were off the ground. And third, I think te 6.40 model would like to see your trail leg straighter longer. Other than that, "Boy, I sure wish I could do that"! Later.......Mike

[altius]

There is evidence of what you are TRYING to do BUT the plant is late and the right hand moves too far away from the body. The take off is not aggressive and may be a bit under -although difficult to tell from this video - you must drive the hands up through the pole and keep that drive going immediately after take - which in terms of basic positions is not bad. The left leg sweep is curtailed -ie the left leg is flexing before you get to the chord of the pole - so you are throwing away a lot of energy. As a result ppf these issues although you get back into a vertical postion you never really cover the pole and get to ride it as it recoils. By the time you get back it is already straight. However you are moving in the right direction -it will take time but the effort will be worth it.

[OUvaulterUSAF]

the right hand moves too far away from the body

I'm unclear what you mean please ellaborate.

The left leg sweep is curtailed

Agreed, it's difficult to break my old habits. I try to work on it with bubka drills and during short run vaulting. Any other suggestions for drills?

ie the left leg is flexing before you get to the chord of the pole

You mention this in BTB, I'm still quite unsure exactly where the chord of the pole is and what/where 'covering the pole' means/is in the jump. Please ellaborate.

As a result ppf these issues...

What does ppf mean?

Maybe I should get your DVD.

[master]

I'm still quite unsure exactly where the chord of the pole is ....

I am not trying to speak for altius, however I submit the "chord of the pole" corresponds to the dashed line in the images at this link
http://www.cs.indiana.edu/~kinzler/pubs/pvfigs/35.gif

I also think with a proper whip swing, you want to have your top arm, body and trailing leg be long and straight when it passes the chord of the pole. ie. one long body line down the chord. The desired position is different than the middle picture which has the center of mass at the chord but the hips and trailing leg are not yet to the chord. Also, the trailing leg is shown slightly bent.

- master

[altius]

First off -ppf means I cant type and didnt check my post carefully enough before i sent it!!

Master has explained the notion of the chord of the pole well, but figure 5.6 in BTB shows the chord of the pole as a dotted line. If you flex the left leg as you sweep it forward - before you reach the chord of the pole you are throwing away potential energy that you could use later on. I think this is a problem even great vaulters can have - jeff hartwig comes to mind. Best solution is work on the high bar -FIg 11.16.

Re the pole plant - you should try to move the right hand up the side of the body keeping it as close as possible -any movement away from the body may cause problems.


I did not explain 'covring the pole' well but have attempted to do so in response to ther queries on this site - nnot sure where they are now. However 1.3 shows Bubka 'covering the pole' which means that at max bend his body is curled back matching the curve of the pole. Ideally his com should be above the pole at this point cf the vast majority of vaulters who tuck into a position a long way BELOW the pole. Take a look at the still of Vicky Parnov in this position that cdmilton posted for me.

As I said - it is not easy to really see what you re doing in that particular video - but you asked for comments - I have tried to provide them.

Modifying technique is always hard - the brain/body wants to keep slipping back into the old groove - just hang in there and do the drills and it will happen.

[ashcraftpv]

ah....good ol' Lambert Fieldhouse.....

how's the new surface?

[ladyvolspvcoach]

As Altius points out the plant is late. I'd add that the pole descent is very late in starting. An attempt to drop the pole suddenly during the last couple of strides will ALWAYS cause to stretch your last step or two in reaction to the sudden upper body movement. Try to allow your pole to DROP as in give it to gravity and allow it to be natural! That will go along way to clean up your take-off!

[OUvaulterUSAF]

ah....good ol' Lambert Fieldhouse.....

how's the new surface?

Fast and I like the softbox.

[OUvaulterUSAF]

Here's my first practice back after a month. Please critique the video.

Approach: 75 ft (6 lefts)
Pole: 15' 175 17.2f and 15' 180 16.2f
Grip: 14'6" - 14'10"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfWSi-ocDSE

The first couple of jumps I had a nice (for me) long trail leg swing. I definitely notice a difference when going to vertical. But it's tough to keep it thru the course of practice and I resort to bending it again.

The latter videos I try to work on a more early plant.

Probably was working on too many things in practice.

[Soar Like an Eagle]

If you live close to Fort Wayne, take some time to go jump with the vaulters there (Fort Wayne Vault Club and/or Vault High Athletics). They have very good coaches and vaulters.

Here's my first practice back after a month. Please critique the video.

Approach: 75 ft (6 lefts)
Pole: 15' 175 17.2f and 15' 180 16.2f
Grip: 14'6" - 14'10"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfWSi-ocDSE

The first couple of jumps I had a nice (for me) long trail leg swing. I definitely notice a difference when going to vertical. But it's tough to keep it thru the course of practice and I resort to bending it again.

The latter videos I try to work on a more early plant.

Probably was working on too many things in practice.

[Mecham]

The first thing I noticed was how close your are landing on it pit. It kinda seems your are landing really shallow. Your powerful drive and your trail leg should get you deeper. Try driving your hips and dropping your shoulders a little harder. But I think it looks good.