Don't know what to do at the top

[edwalupay]

my approach and take off are very good but once i get to the top i lose control and always come spinning down. I use a 13ft 140 and i bend it pretty good. Is there any drills to help close off? because my coach tells me i never close off. Also i drop my shoulders sometimes but i wish i would all the time. Is there there things i could do to help me with that? People tell me i got a 14 ft jump but so far i can only clear 11ft.

[KirkB]

my approach and take off are very good but once i get to the top i lose control and always come spinning down. I use a 13ft 140 and i bend it pretty good. Is there any drills to help close off? because my coach tells me i never close off. Also i drop my shoulders sometimes but i wish i would all the time. Is there there things i could do to help me with that? People tell me i got a 14 ft jump but so far i can only clear 11ft.

What's your grip? And what do you mean by "closing off"? Also, what do you mean by "spinning down"? These aren't normal PV terms, so you'll have to define them.

A vid would help, but barring that, you'll need to describe what you mean a little clearer, so that we can understand your root problem. And speaking of that, your phrase "once I get to the top I lose control" suggests that you probably aren't really swinging properly to GET "to the top". And if you're not swinging properly, then maybe the root cause is in your takeoff or plant ... or maybe even the way you're dropping the pole in your last few steps.

And when you say "I bend it pretty good", I'm going to guess that you're OVER-BENDING the pole for your current technique. How much do you weigh, and how many lefts do you take? HOW do you bend it ... with your bottom arm, or some other way? Do you follow the Petrov Model ... or some other model? I wouldn't normally ask this question if you posted in the Beginner Technique forum, but since you posted as an Intermediate, I assume that you already know what model you strive for.

Without understanding ... or SEEING ... your current technique, any advice we give is a crapshoot ... and probably not worth the cyber-paper it's written on.

Kirk

[KYLE ELLIS]

I thought closing off was a pretty typical PV term, it basically means meeting the body to the top hand. Edwalupay you probably don't want to hear this but alost every person seeking advice on here usually starts off with, my run and takeoff is good I just can't swing right... There is alot more to the takeoff than what meets the eye. And in the vault you HAVE TO be able to do the preceding event in order to do the rest correct.

My suggestions
1- Put some video up, no body can give you good advice until we see whats actually happening.
2- Do alot of straight pole work working on going over a bar (from 3lefts). Yeah it isn't much fun but as David Butler refers to it as "the bread and butter of the pole vault"... You can't do things wrong or you will instantly feel it. If you have a bad takeoff you will know and not be able to have a good swing. If you have a bad run and incorrect pole carry, it will be very difficult to have a good takeoff and hold high. Work on a fast long swing, and swinging over a bar and not just getting upside down. Once you get good at this, you put the same principles to work on a bending pole... I think 90% of the coaches on here will agree with me on that one!

[KirkB]

I thought closing off was a pretty typical PV term, it basically means meeting the body to the top hand.

OK ... so it's the opposite of "flagging out".

... I think 90% of the coaches on here will agree with me on that one!

All good advice!

Kirk