PoleVaultPower.com

What are some of y'alls thoughts on rowing the pole during the swing? Good, bad, positive energy, negative energy.

If not rowing, then what should or shouldn't the vaulter do with the arms after takeoff.

I think part of the confusion with rowing comes with what people think of the term... some know more about boats then others and picture different things when they think of rowing a boat.

In my opinion rowing is a good thing and puts positive energy in the pole, but I also think that it is not as big of a deal as many people think and that it is just a preferance, some people can row and get higher, others can't. Earl Bell told me I should row when I went one of his Pole vautl camps though.

i know what "rowing" is or whatever, but what are you comparing it to...either way your hands are going to be moving basically the same as far as i'm concerned....maybe it's just the way i've always been tought things, but what are ou saying the differences between rowing and not rowing are?

Basically, I've heard a few different opinions out there on whether or not the vaulter should actively force the hands forward at the takeoff, or just let their shoulders unlock and absorb the shock of the impact from the box to initiate the swing.

Just wondered if it should be a passive or an active motion?

rainbowgirl28 wrote:I think part of the confusion with rowing comes with what people think of the term... some know more about boats then others and picture different things when they think of rowing a boat.

Actually Becca, you make a good point there. When I first started coaching a masters vaulter and told him to row, he said "Do you mean paddle? Rowing is what you do in a rowboat, paddling is what you do in a canoe." He knew what I meant but thought that the term "rowing" was a little inaccurate for the motion we're describing.

I dont know how many of you have seen Dr. Chang's pole vault video included is Brian Yokoama. Anyways, there whole philosophy about pole vaulintg is, keep seperation from the pole while getting inverted and always continue to row the arms in an evenly flowing motion. Ive tried this so many times. Once you find out how to keep seperation from the pole you have so much power. Jean Galfion is the king when it comes to this technique. Try and watch some footage of him vaulting,, youll see exactly what I'm talking about.

OAKPV2004 wrote:In my opinion rowing is a good thing and puts positive energy in the pole, but I also think that it is not as big of a deal as many people think and that it is just a preferance, some people can row and get higher, others can't. Earl Bell told me I should row when I went one of his Pole vautl camps though.

In my opinion, the only valuable source of energy for the vaulter-pole system is the run/takeoff. Compared to the run/takeoff, how much energy can really be loaded into the pole by rowing? Rowing also will cause increased decipation of energy because it alters the pole's even redistribution of energy by delaying the rolling over and unbending of the pole. Maybe this amount of energy lost is balanced out by the energy added by rowing. I dunno.

i agree Dev,
but don't forget about flicking the penny off the ruler
you gotta load that pole (haha)

Kicking a** on Fiberglass

Jean Galfion is the king when it comes to this technique. Try and watch some footage of him vaulting,, youll see exactly what I'm talking about.

I have to disagree about the Galfion thing, if you could get some footage of Chad Harting, he moves the pole better than anyone i have ever seen
i think there is some video of him in the vaultworld video section[/quote]

Good Call BZ, C$ was the king of the stick movers.
As posted earlier, regarding the loss of energy, by delaying the rolling of the pole, and delaying the unbending of the pole. This idea is exactly what a valter wants to happen. The longer someone can keep a pole bent, the further and faster it will roll, ultimately allowing a vaulter to jump on a bigger pole, with more grip. The idea of getting on the top hand (rowing as it is being called) allows a vaulter to get down and behind the pole, keeping more pressure on the pole, and allowing it to roll, and stay bent longer, while the vaulter "swings" underneath it. The idea is to be as close to ready to move up the pole when it starts to move. If you watch some video, watch for sudden movements of the pole. If the pole is making sudden movements away from the jumper then that is lost energy. Lost because pressure isn't at the top of the pole, or in the top hand. This isn't the greatest explination that I have written, but feel free to ask me questions. I am sure Lon, or Brad would be happy to answer them as well.
Dub
Bellathletics.com

I spoke on this subjet once and was corrected by a coach who brought to my attention that "rowing" was not the proper term. Think about a row boat......now, do you "row" or "Paddle" like a canoe?? I am personally sticking with the "row" the pole thing cause "paddleing" your pole is.......well its just not right in so many ways. It is the proper def though.

food for thought

later, B