How do you think I'll do this year?

[Caseman33]

in my transition from 15 to 16 foot poles i ended up only holdig 2 inches higher on my grip so i didnt get an od feeling (only the pole being stiffer) it was also a 15'85 to a 16 75 so it was near a one pole jump.I dont know about thisk nocked back buisness. you should be jumping into the pole not be knocking back.

also my advice is get good useing smaller poles. I know you got faster and bigger but to jump striat from a 13 ft pole to a 15'6 is kinda rediculous. I would worry about how high over my handhold im jumping rather than how high i can grip and jump below my top hand. There are also mechanical advantages by useing 15'6 poles and if your not getting upside down, you are not useing them to your advantage.

overall its better to be on a smaller pole and cap it than to be on a enormous pole and have bad form. diont worry about being macho and holding high on a big pole. ill tell you its the coolest feeling beating a gy when you have a 14'6 pole and your competator is trying to grip up on a 16 foot pole.

~Casey

[thaone600]

i agree everthing is just a pergression and even thought you might be able to get in on a 15 6 a 15 or 14 6 might be a better pole....heck Spencer McCorkel is on a 14 9 190 holding 14 6 so for some people going to a 15 footer isnt a benifit but it will happen once your ready

[DecaRag]

I would never encourage anyone to move up a pole more than 6" at a time - even from one year to the next. Going from a 12' pole to a 13'6" then to a 15'6" pole would not be smart. Progress 6" or less at a time and learn to vault higher over your handgrip.

You may think you have enough speed and strength to do this, from my experience and from everyone I've learned from, it would not be wise. You should spend more time working on the approach, plant, and takeoff with small progressions up the pole. Be patient - if you are a junior this year, you have alot of time to progress.

[thaone600]

just to add using that long of a pole would be an advantage for about 2 months cuz ull pr big but after that you wont jump any higher till you figure out positions and its a lot easier on smaller poles

[PYRO]

if you are a junior this year, you have alot of time to progress.

I just started my sophmore season.

[DecaRag]

If you just started vaulting your sophmore year - even more reason to progress slowly to make sure you are doing things right.

I like your confidence. It's is essential to being a good vaulter. Keep working hard - you will get there with hard work and focus. Enjoy the event - sounds like you do!

Rag out!

[PYRO]

thanks, Ive been vaulting or a year now and I think you guys are right, so I went down to my 13'6 pole and I was holding 6 inches below the top and I got a serious bend out of it.

Would it help me to hold at around 13'6 or 14 on my new pole?

[thaone600]

depends what size pole it is...if its the 15 6 ill almost garentee that u will get rejected holding 14 on it...just slowly progress up so go to a 14 foot pole...i wouldnt spend much time on the 14 6's if u can get in on a 15 6 but atleast go threw the progressions its the only way to get better in the long haul

[rainbowgirl28]

thanks, Ive been vaulting or a year now and I think you guys are right, so I went down to my 13'6 pole and I was holding 6 inches below the top and I got a serious bend out of it.

Would it help me to hold at around 13'6 or 14 on my new pole?

You're bending it a lot, but where are you landing in the pit?

[thaone600]

good point becca never thought about that one...just to save your next question:
if you landing deep try raising your grip a little to slow down the pole speed or go to a bigger 13 6 or maybe a 14 footer if your jump is looking good on the 13 6

if your landing short holding that you need to go to a smaller pole or lower your grip

[PYRO]

My coach says my jump looks "perfect" (I know its just a confidence booster) on my smaller pole, thats why he wanted me to go up to the 15'6. Ill tell him on monday and Ill talk to him about working up on a smaller pole.

my school isnt very experienced in vaulting our record is 13'6 lol.

[thaone600]

try borrowing poles if you have to but it will be easier to work up poles