How important are steps?

[acordell31]

i'm a freshman and i have problems with getting steps to work right so i have been using no set steps in meets just getting a comfortable distance and i got my new pr in my 4th meet of 9'6" so i was just wondering if getting steps will help me enough to bother with them..o and does carrying the pole matter that much because i push mine

[VaultBrad]

you definately need to get steps. as you get better and move to bigger poles you will need to go from a longer distance. steps will make your vaults more consistant and take away all of the guess work. what you can do is run your steps back and measure how far it is and just bring a tape measure with you to meets so you dont have to run them back at the meet. this will save you time and energy.

as to pushing vs. carrying, i havnt had much experience with pushing, but it has worked well for people. i take it Becca is using the push technique and getting some good results now. its all about comfort...what are you most comfortable with.

[PVPirate26]

i agree, steps are very important. they might be awkward at first, but they are really important to the consistency of a vault. you want to be able to replicate a good vault over and over again, and having a set step will allow you to do that.

[vcpvcoach]

Get your steps. My athletes all need to know their 3,5,7 steps or they do not jump for me.
I'm don't know what you mean by pushing th pole. If you are referring to the pole carry as you run down the runway, the best position is with your top hand on or slightly in front of your hip with your shoulders square to the runway. It's really hard to run fast with your hand behind you because your right shoulder is behind you. (Sorry, to the lefty's out there, just reverse it for you)

[BritDawg]

I'm don't know what you mean by pushing th pole.

He means running with the pole tip sliding down the runway in front of him instead of the traditional carry.

[Robert schmitt]

steps=very important

[USMC Vaulter]

steps=very important

Hahahaha - couldn't have said it better myself.

[rainbowgirl28]

Steps are very important. You should get a notebook and write down your steps every practice.

I've been jumping really well pushing the pole. I think you should start to learn how to carry it, and practice it, because you might get to a meet with a bad runway or box where you might not be able to push it. Knowing how to do both will make you a more versatile vaulter.

[pattyman]

steps my not be as important under ten feet but once you start getting faster and longer approaces, you steps will be the difference in getting good penetration or snapping a pole or even getting off the ground. steps are crucial to keep a consistent line of vaults for practice and competition.

[dj]

Why I feel the run is important

there is theâ€Â

[*TigerVault*]

well id say steps are very, very, very important. And by getting my steps right i got a couple feet higher.

[acordell31]

thanks for all the help im practicing my steps and carrying the pole and hoping i can do good at an invitational this weekend