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There are some new rules that have been proposed. One proposed rule is that a judge can dq someone if the way they vault is dangerous and theres a chance they get hurt.

ANother rule is that if the dont land in the P.L.Z., it counts as a scratch.

I'm just seeing what other people think of these proposals.

I don't think an official should have the power to dictate who jumps or not, as it is subjective, politicals can get involved and thus hamper true compition. As for the PLZ, i agree that you SHOULD land in it, but i do not think that u should be given a MISS if u succesfully clear the height. As Becca proposed earlier you should be given 3 warning before u get kicked out of the height, this is alot better of a rule. But in general, i find all new rules stupid and ridiculous. Yes, we have had accidents, but we are forcing changes of equitment to be safe when we should be changing coachin techniques (or the lack there of in many cases) so that we vault safely. Pretty much its to the same extent that u can give every football player a neck stabalizer so they wount snap their neck...or u can teach them to tackle with their head up.

Sounds like a good idea to me.

As far as the three strikes rule goes (which I did not invent, credit goes to Kris Allison, Tim Reilly, and others I am sure), the warnings you receive for missing the PLZ would not count as misses at a particular height.

If you had 3 strikes and got out, you would be given credit for the highest bar you did clear.

I dont think not landing in the PLZ should ever count as a scratch. I've seen quite a few ELITE VAULTERS clear a bar and not land in the PLZ - Bubka being one of them.

An official should not have the authority to abitrarily disquality a competitor because 'he thinks' the vaulter is being unsafe. This would lead to far too many problems, arguements, hidden agendas, etc. However, if you WERE going to make a safety rule like this, the 3 strikes for not landing in the PLZ is the way to go - it is something that can be easily observed and as long as the rule is written clearly, its not a bad idea.

A slight problem with the PLZ rule, is that not all pole vault mats have these markings on them. By making this a rule, you would then also have to add the PLZ (originally called a coach's box) as a MANDATORY item on the mats. Meaning that schools would have to fork out another couple thousand bucks for a new top cover. Also meaning that alot of schools would ONCE AGAIN not be in regs, and not be able to compete - which could ultimately be another blow to the sport that would lead to even more schools dropping it all together.

Just a few things to think about.

But see that's the nice thing about the PLZ... you can make one out of spray paint or white athletic tape.

rainbowgirl28 wrote:But see that's the nice thing about the PLZ... you can make one out of spray paint or white athletic tape.

Good point - what is the standard on the PLZ? (i.e the dimensions, how big, exact placement, etc) Is there a current 'standard' for where manufacturers place them?

USMC Vaulter wrote:

rainbowgirl28 wrote:But see that's the nice thing about the PLZ... you can make one out of spray paint or white athletic tape.

Good point - what is the standard on the PLZ? (i.e the dimensions, how big, exact placement, etc) Is there a current 'standard' for where manufacturers place them?

Yes, the ASTM already set a standard for the PLZ. I don't know it off the top of my head, but Jan could tell you. It's probably up on http://www.skyjumpers.com/

Awesome thanks - I'll have to tape PLZs on both of my pits when I get back home.

rainbowgirl28 wrote:Sounds like a good idea to me.

As far as the three strikes rule goes (which I did not invent, credit goes to Kris Allison, Tim Reilly, and others I am sure), the warnings you receive for missing the PLZ would not count as misses at a particular height.

If you had 3 strikes and got out, you would be given credit for the highest bar you did clear.

I'm with ya

The scratch if you miss the PLZ is ridiculous. If this keeps up, the pole vault will end up being an event with pads 50 yards in every direction, motorcycle helmets, spotters, and DQ's for not having a perfectly straight vault.

Gimme a break...

I heard this was the proposed safety equipment for '06. Seems like we need protection from ourselves.

No, that wount do, we can still break our fingers, u gotta add bullet proof gloves, and then maybe we can talk. Oh, and are the helmets UV protected, we might get cataracts from the sun.