Starting step?

[bzugar]

My coach always taught us to start our run off of our left foot but lately after watching a bunch of videos and really thinking about it should we be starting off of out right foot and would that help with the jump?

[dj]

good morning,

not sure what you are describing.....but

a right handed vaulter should/must "toe" their mark with the left foot... once the pole is lifted into carry/start position, the first step is on the right foot...

a right handed vaulter should ALWAYS start like this for maximum balance for pole carry and acceleration..

starting any other way can create an imbalance leading to a "swinging" movement of the pole which in turn can cause over striding, late and under plant...

dj

[bzugar]

what im saying is that when we start our run we take our first step with our left foot but it seems as if we should be taking it with our right like you said

[dj]

hye

you are correct you should take the first step with the right for a right handed vaulter... holding the pole right grip at the waist... left hand approx.. 10 inches from the center of the chest...

if you step with the right foot the pole will "go with the hip" and in balance with the body.. if you step with the left the right grip will "want" to go with the left step and move to the front... causing the grip/pole carry to start moving back and forth (swinging)with each step..

dj

check this jump

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA7Dapjsh9A