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Hi , my name is kyle and I am currently a sophmore high school Polevaulter. This week I had just cleared 10' at our track GMC.....I was a consistant 9'6 jumper. The thing is I have TERRIBLE form. I can't seem to get my steps right. At the meet I kept leaving on my right foot when I was supposed to be leaving from my left. I am also on a 13'6 Skypole pole and not very far back on it. I have tried moving back on the pole but all that happens is I dont make it in to the pit and fall on the run way. Is that my steps? How many steps should I take to move back on the pole? Like I said I a 10 foot vaulter. Any other tips are deeply appreciated! Thank you and hope to hear from you soon!

First, get your step consistent.

dont move ur grip any farther back until your form gets better or steps is on. do lots of pole runs and focus on control and not speed at first helps improve step consistency for me

Get us some video. Also, never move up on a pole if you're not handling it at your current hand grip. Rather, move down a fist or two till you're jumping correctly with everything falling into place and where it should be. Next, get on to one of the threads here on the forum for Dj's mid mark chart. Read everything you can about the chart and how to use it. Then start using it. There are several short run exercises that you should be doing that are listed all over this forum. One of them is put a bar or bungee at 8 feet, left foot start at 33', hold on at 9'10" on the pole. counting the left foot at 33' go L, R, L, R, L, R, take off (on last left) and go till you clear it 3 times. Then move it up and do it again using the perameters on the chart. You can also find a lot of those drills at www.bubbapv.com . Later.........Mike .