Is 20in. too close for standards?

[VaulterChick122]

I know you should be clearing heights with standards farther than 20. Mine are usually between 20-26 depending on how i am jumping. Is this too close? I mean my grip feels fine, and i jump up at takeoff. I use an 11'6 130 at meets and when i use the 11'6 120 at practice, i blow through it ( i land very deep into the pit and bend the pole a lot), so the 130 is my next choice. Even though my standards are close, i still land deep in the pit. Is this OK? I usually grip about 10'6 and recently cleared 9ft but i have no touched a 10 bungee at practice. Are my standards close because i am unable to get fully inverted at the level i am at, because my grip feels good, and i do not get "hammered" at take-off. I was just wondering if it is a bad thing to have close standards.

[rainbowgirl28]

It's not that 20" is inherently unsafe, it's just that the closer they are, the less room you have for error. If your standards are at 31.5" and you come up a little short, you're still getting in the pit. If your standards are at 15.5" and you come up a little short, you don't have much pit between you and the box. If you're being properly supervised by a competent coach, I would listen to them.

[VaulterChick122]

Thank you!