Free Flight Vaulting....

[izzystikchik]

thanks a lot guys

[lonestar]

Clarification on the free takeoff...

From what I understand, and I've talked to Alan Launder, David Butler, Doug Sparks, and many other authorities on it, as well as listened to Petrov speak twice in Reno, you don't have to be outside to have a free takeoff. Simply, your heel must be off the ground and you're moving upwards at the instant the pole strikes the back of the box. You can still be on the ground and have a free takeoff, but your center-of-gravity has to be rising when contact is made.

If you are in the air before the pole hits, that's what is known as a "pre-jump." Not the same thing as a free takeoff.

[master]

Thanks lonestar. I think that is a very important clarification.

[USMC Vaulter]

Yeah - thats consistant with what I've read (I currently have Alan Launders book sitting right beside me).

Also something I've noticed is that all of these things happen within fractions of a second, so when you watch some of the best 'free takeoff' vaulters, it sometimes looks like prejump, sometimes looks like they are on their toes almost off the ground when the pole hits, and sometimes they dont look much like they're doing it at all. I mean, you are talking about inches on an approach that is over 100 feet long, and timing that is done in tenths of a second.
This topic is very interesting - Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for all the input being that I'm learning things from this forum as well.

[ladyvolspvcoach]

If you are reviewing videos of various vaults, you can see a free take off in the pole at the point that the heal lifts off the ground. If the pole is bent upwards and the toe is still in contact with the ground it is NOT a free take off. If the pole is straight or slightly bent downward it IS a free take off and the pole will continue to move upwards. If you are under at the take off you will see the pole actually move downwards and the chest and nose get really close to the pole. But that we've all seen!!!