Don't throw your head back?

[souleman]

Ok, I really didn't know where to put this thread so I figured this is as good a place as any. Now I know we've always said "never ever ever" throw your head back, but I discovered something yesterday when I was jumping in the backyard. After a couple of misses at 9' feet (cause I don't get anywhere to being inverted) and the miss at 9' 6" that's on the file, I knew I had to do something to get my legs and body "up". So on the video that I'm about to send you to, on the first jump at 9' and the 3rd jump at 9' 6" I concentrated on "throwing my head back". You'll see by the video that I really didn't, but when I was jumping it sure felt like I was. Now keep in mind, I'm a 54 year old "tuck and flagger" so I know near everything I do is wrong but I thought it interesting that when I felt like I was throwing my head back my legs would get up (and I would quit looking at the bar). I'm holding on 1 grip higher than dj's chart on all of the jumps. The first three, the standards are at about 15" and the last three are at 24". Another thing you'll see is my setup in the back yard. All that's left to do is get the runway put in. My home made standards go to 13 feet so I don't ever have to worry about out growing them. As to the Putfile, I think I am sending you to my homepage. Just click on 528 session for the one I am talking about. I've only been back a this for a little over a year so the other videos are kind of a "Mike's come back anthology" along with my roll back apparatus and some Boston video of Bubba Sparks and Don Curry. Bubba who is my e-coach and Don who is now (because of vaulting) my other good friend from Texas. Here's the address
http://www.putfile.com/vaultingeezer
Each regular speed jump is followed by a slow mo of the same jump.

So, finally to my original comment / question? The throw back of my head is at most a fraction of a second, and in my case doesn't really happen at all, but it did keep me from looking at the bar. Are we really sure we might not suggest this for a vaulter who...like me...can't quit looking at the bar?

Later......................Mike

[theczar]

from what i have been told, keeping your chin tucked into your chest is a stronger position for your shoulders to be in, and sets you up for a better finish. But, i have seen scores of people throw their heads back and jump very well...so i think that it is personal preference.

[souleman]

Like I said, the video shows that I really didn't throw it back. It just felt like I did. I'm just wondering if others would find the same thing occur if they tried it. Later........Mike

[nitro]

throwing your head back isnt a bad thing bad things can happen because of it and its harder to do the rest right so its not bad look at skipper he can do it

[cdmilton]

Mike, Keep and eye on FlightDeckAthletics.com! We will have a bunch a meets this summer at Armstrong (we hope). We should be able to get you into a better inverted position.

[souleman]

Super! Thanks Chris. I bet we could also get an "oakey dokey" from Mounds View too. See you on the 11th (whether you jump or not) ......Mike

[weston]

how much did your own pit cost you?

[souleman]

I got the main part from a high school that had to upgrade to the larger size for a small donation to their athletic department. The buns I'm borrowing from one of the coaches that works with me from St. Cloud. I've addressed the "get your own pit" deal on several threads. I pretty much cover the "how to get it and where" part of it in those threads. In most cases, mine in particular, it took more leg work than money. I've got it figured out that after I put in the runway (the roll out kind that I'll put in permanently) I'll have about a grand in the whole thing. Later............Mike

[Vault Chick]

Here are a couple of things I noticed about your vaulting. 1st- about the main topic of throwing your head back: I wouldn't say you were throwing your head back, but sometimes if you say this to athletes, they may have a tendency in throwing their head back too much, and right at the takeoff let their hips totally get sucked in. 2nd- If you held your plant out more, it would really help a lot. And lastly, just stay on the pole longer, and keep rocking back. I noticed that you shoot out toward the crossbar, since you are looking at it. Instead, shoot up, and keep rocking back, and shoot to where your whole body is alligned with the pole.

[vault3rb0y]

The only reason coaches have kids "throw" their heads back is to encourage them to get vertical when they start moving the pole. If you can keep your hips over your shoulders when you start to pull you dont need to drop your head... but if you let your neck align with your spine.... it will encourage a better turn and pike over the bar.... but its not necessary.