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I have this problem with my bottom arm where it is almost never straight at takeoff. I'm not exactly sure whether or not this is holding me back from any benefit.

Here I am right before takeoff:


And here I am at takeoff:


(I was a little under in this vault - took off at 8'8" and I should be at 9'4")

personally, i have no idea what model youre being coached, but I would say that you're more than "a little under" on that plant. look at the pole, its already bent and you havent even left the ground yet! on your second picture youre getting fibrefaced and i would say its because youre not taking off UP; instead youre jumping forward. if you jump up, your bottom arm should be pushing up (and relatively straight) as well.

Look closely at your first picture. You are under, but not by much. It looks worse because you did not have a tall plant. If your top arm were vertical, as it should be, then part of your plant would have been corrected. Secondly, as you did take off your bottom arm collapsed immediately, as stated in the last reply. You need to remember, keep pushing up, up, and up. Your bottom arm won't be completely straight, but at least you will recover some from a poor plant and get into the mat. Lastly, I think it is important that you remember that you do not jump straight up, but on a 45 degree angle. This not only gets you vertical, but into the preferred landing zone. Hope this helps!

Your take-off is a little flat and you are under but all in all you are on the right track. DO NOT PUSH!!! You only need to get your step on and plant high. If you start trying to push with your bottom hand you you will block your swing and inversion.