Changing Poles/Inverting

[WestlakePV210]

I'm changing from a 13 foot, 140 pole to a 14 foot, 140 pole. I have a really good take off and great speed but I'm worried I'm not going to make it to the pit, HELP!!
Also for some reason I don't invert at lower heights such as 12' and 12'6, but i do at 13' but I'm not clearing it cleanly, any ideas why??

[rainbowgirl28]

A 14'140 is going to feel about 20 pounds stiffer. Make sure to keep your grip the same on the longer pole... so if you are holding 12'9 on the 13' pole, hold 12'9 on the 14' pole. Many vaulters go from holding the top of one pole to holding the top of another and wonder why they are not getting in the pit.

Also, do not move up poles until you are truly blowing through the 13'140, like knocking of the bar on the way up with the standards all the way back.

When you do move up poles, don't swing on it if you're not landing safely in the pit.

It would be much better if you had a 13'150 or 13'6 140 or 14'130 you could use as a transition.

[andy94566]

Not an expert, but just from my experience the things that helped me most transitioning into longer/stiffer poles was most importantly confidence, having a fast and powerful approach run, and hitting that plant nice and tall. And of course, you should know how to bail out on jumps properly if you feel you won't make it into the pit halfway, because I have landed in the box before from not doing so, and let me tell you, it is not fun!

[vquestpvc]

I certainly agree with Rainbowgirl to an extent. Moving from a 13' pole to a 14' is huge. You can move your hands up the 14' pole, but not to the top; probably around 4-5" above your 13' pole grip (a fist). Essentially, as Rainbowgirl suggests getting a mid pole size (13-6) would be a better idea. However, if your school is like many, pole selection is limited. You can manipulate the pole you have though. And I certainly agree with you that making a transition is somewhat about confidence (smart confidence), but there are limits. Go away from the vault runway to the track and practice run throughs. If you have a sliding box (easy to make), do the same thing planting into this box. Repeat these run throughs several times checking consistency of the take foot. Then measure the distance from your starting point to the pole tip with arm extended above your head while standing at your takeoff spot. Transfer this distance to the vault runway. Be confident, but be safe!

[Jungm1420]

What exactly do you mean by they can manipulate the pole they have?

You can manipulate the pole you have though.

[vquestpvc]

By manipulate the pole I mean lowering the grip, decreasing the number of steps or both as necessary.