Pull-Turn help??!

[davidjRudman]

My plant, trail leg, invert are all good, but i have a knack of not completely turning as i move up the pole, which if you're an experienced vaulter, means your legs drop inevitably, losing a lot of height. I'm a 14 foot vaulter, but some coaches say i could be a 15' vaulter on the same pole if i could pull and turn along my body. I don't have much time left though before state! What are some off the runway drills i can do to teach my body to do this?? Please help!

[vquestpvc]

Actually David, I suggest you get a shorter, softer pole with a short approach (6-8 total steps). The shorter pole will allow you to get to the top faster while it being softer will bend a little bit longer letting you "cover" the bent pole getting your arms in better position to pull through the top. But remember, you have to keep moving. As you cover the pole you quickly or in a continued movement, thrust your hips up with the top hand connecting to the same side hip. This movement also starts the first quarter turn. The second quarter turn will be the top hand pulling through to the opposite shoulder. Two things that have been passed on to me: 1) it's a race to the top of the pole or to the cover position; and 2) the turn is on the runway side of the bar. Vaulting on a shorter, softer pole can slow this down allowing you to better feel this action. When you get on your regular pole, the same action requires you to move much faster, but remember to keep moving.