Falling to the right

[gosp]

I started a couple weeks ago. It's currently indoor track season, so the team focuses more on conditioning than the actual sport as of now. I grab about 9-10 feet up on a 140lb pole that's about 13 feet long. (I'm estimating, I don't know off the top of my head).

I seem to be doing fine with getting up there for now, I'm going to my first meet tomorrow, but Whenever I vault, I always land on the right side of the mat. Right side meaning... I've landed with a good portion of my body off the mat at one point.

Originally my coach said that It was because I was planting late, jumping with my arm far behind me. Now I'm planting earlier, but the problem didn't seem to fix itself at all. Now he says when I plant, the pole isn't straight, causing me to fly to the side.

Any tips, for fear of... hitting the standard, falling off the mat, etc.?

On a completely unrelated note... After a while, handcramps... happen... Any tips on that?

[GiVaulter09]

Usually if your falling to the right of the mat it means that your top hand is to the left when your take-off. Make sure that your top hand is strait up infront of you when you take-off. About the hand craps, your hands probably arent used to vaulting and they are still weak. I would work on squeezing stress balls or those little hand spring things. You have to build up forearm strength. Hope this helps!

Adam

[txpolevaulter_k25]

I did the same thing pretty much all last year. You need to do a whole lot of box drills, but make sure you do them correctly.

[indestructo]

Usually if your falling to the right of the mat it means that your top hand is to the left when your take-off.

Backwards....

If you are landing to the right then one of the things to look at is whether you are planting with your hand to the right. Your hand should plant straight over your center of mass (typically your head).

There are many other problems that could also cause this.

[AeroVault]

Another common reason for falling to the right is simply jumping to the right. While this may not be the root of your problem, it's good for any new vaulter to keep in mind.

Gripping at that height you are unlikely to bend the pole which can make the takeoff difficult. Try to find a pole that better matches your size so your grip is closer to the end (that is, above the sail piece). This skyjumpers site should help you find a pole to match your weight with grip height. Otherwise you're effectively using a 10' 200lb pole!

If your pole options are limited you can still work with the equipment you've got. Even though the pole will be in your way, stay focused on an aggressive takeoff as if you are trying to jump over the center of the pits. You can try one handed drills to make sure your top arm stays straight and get comfortable jumping into the pole instead of around it. As you gain speed and confidence and move up your grip, the pole will naturally bend out of your way.

As txpolevaulter_k25 said,

You need to do a whole lot of box drills, but make sure you do them correctly.

Pole runs and box drills will help you learn pole position and give you the confidence to jump right down the center. After that, it is a matter of transferring the good habits you made onto the runway. Good luck!

[rainbowgirl28]

If you have access to a sand pit, do lots of sand vaulting until you can consistently land in the middle.

[VaultPurple]

i used to have that as a big problme... planting to the right so i would fall to the right... but it is not always that you are accidently planting to the right as much as you are waitint too long to plant the pole

mark somewhere around your 2 or 3 step and rember that when you hit that point in your run you should start to bring the pole down and begin the plant.

also.... sand pit drills are really good as stated above!!!!
we have been working all week trying to train new vaulters with diffrent methods, and today i took a guy to the sand pit to just see how it would work because you dont really have to worry about your steps, just planting high over your head.. when we took him to the pit he was clearing 8 foot on his first few jumps on his first day)

[gosp]

I was indeed planting too late, (my right arm was straight up, sometimes even behind me).

What helped even more, however, as I ran and planted the pole, I gripped the pole very tightly in my right hand. My coach showed be how to hold it more loosely.

The two parts above helped me enormously.

[VaultPurple]

ok I know why you would fall to the right usualy because of a late plant if your right handed....

But y would I fall to the left.... lately in practice i have almost been taking out the left standard? and im right handed... cant figure this one out

[learning to fly]

if your going to one side of the mat or the other, you might be twisting your shoulders. make sure you keep your shoulders square