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Throughout the spring season, my lower back on the left side has been hurting, and its been getting worse. I think its because of my plant but i'm not sure how to fix it and what exactly I am doing to cause it. My friend said he had the same problem and said it was because his hips were kind of twisted when he tookoff if that makes any sense.

Here are some videos.. I don't know if you will be able to see what is wrong from these ones because the quality isn't that great
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOHIpSD1pgw

Here is a video of some other girls too, but there are a bunch of videos of me at 0:48, 1:03, and 1:14-1:30... this video is much better quality
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8ZX_T0q ... quPSgkSKFs

I also have a problem and looking at the bar and when i see I am close to it, I stop swinging up and start going out. If anyone has any advice, I would appreciate it! I need to clear 9'6" on WEdnesday to make districts; I'm at 9' now!!

info: pole- 12'4" 120, I weight about 120, standards are at 20-21 depending on which video, I run from 66 for 6 lefts

Mei

Overall, your vaulting looks quite good.
You probably could finish your vault better if you move your standards back a bit...usually 24" (60 cm) should be the minimum unless you are stiff-poling. I have found that a lot of athletes who have the bar too close are always rushing the top end because they see the bar coming and shorten their swing to get around it...if you get used to jumping with the bar all the way back, your main focus is to move the pole, and then you have time to swing long, extend the hips upward forcefully, and press down the pole at the top.

I don't see anything unusual that would be causing your back pain, just the fact that pole vaulting is hard on your lower back. Make sure you aren't taking off under...when the pole tip hits the box and your foot is still on the ground, all the force is directed into your body instead of the pole.

Do lots of strengthening exercises for your lower back throughout the season to balance the strength you are developing in your abdominal muscles...imbalances can cause problems. Don't jump from your long run more than three times a week, including meets. Other days can be spent working on drills, gymnastics, and short-run work which are usually easier on your back.
good luck,
Tom

thanks for the advice! That makes sense, I will try that. I will definitely do back exercises to see if it helps, thanks again!

mei wrote: ... I will definitely do back exercises ...

Don't do any back exercises when your back is hurting. It's better to just let nature heal your back ... or go to a chiropractor. He'll also give you some professional advice on what's causing it, and how to cure it.

The problem with back injuries is that once you injure your back, it takes very little to RE-INJURE it. So just a normal takeoff could re-injure it ... even if you've long forgotten about the root cause.

Kirk