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I'm currently jumping on a 14-145 on 7 steps. I'm a sophomore in HS. Last year I was jumping around 8-8'6". In practice this year, I have cleared 9'6", almost 10' on a 5 step. My coach moved me back to a 7, and I haven't been able to jump at all.

I went today with my brother-in-law, and we did some jumping, I took my 5 step mark, and it's fine. But my 7 is screwed.

Any help?

ok well first look at the reason for different steps. a five step is used for vaulters who accelerate quickly. seven step is used for vaulters who accelerate slower. so it really has to do with your running. if you are doing good on a five step that means you're accelerating your run quicker than you were before. that would also make your seven step wrong because you are accelerating quicker.

He wanted me to get more speed, but I tend to accelerate faster.

Why do others use 7, 8, 9, and 10+ steps then? Is it because they can't accelerate fast enough?

My coach is running a 7 step, but wants to run a 9...

pretty much all you are trying to do when running is build up enough speed, momentum, and confidence that is how i see it, but also having a longer run means more speed, which means you can progressively move to a larger pole and so on

in the run, you want to go as fast as you can, UNDER CONTROL at take off. to do this, moving back a stride may make it so you can take off a little easier but still get to a faster speed. speed is good, being able to control the speed is even better...