GETTING STEPS????

[John]

When getting your steps by running back down the run way should a right handed vaulter start with their left or right foot? Had a discussion with a friend who says you have to start with the opposite foot....I said start with the left. After thinking about it more and doing more experimenting it really doesn't matter what foot you start with as long as you start with the same foot when you go both ways down the run way (to get your vault and to actually vault) RIGHT?

ANY THOUGHTS?

[Jennapv]

Someone who takes off on their left should step back with their right foot and take the first step with the right foot. And vice versa. Running a step back should be done just as if you were doing your real run. Otherwise it's not going to be on. It doesn't make sense to start with a different foot to run back!

[USMC Vaulter]

Someone who takes off on their left should step back with their right foot and take the first step with the right foot. And vice versa.

I'm going to have to disagree with that. John had it correct - you can start off with either foot just so long as you do it the same everytime and are counting your lefts (for righty's) when you count your step.

Running a step back should be done just as if you were doing your real run. Otherwise it's not going to be on. It doesn't make sense to start with a different foot to run back!

In his original post he said

After thinking about it more and doing more experimenting it really doesn't matter what foot you start with as long as you start with the same foot when you go both ways down the run way

Which is completely correct - he didnt say anything about starting with one foot to check his steps, and then another for the actual vaults.

[Jennapv]

Sorry...I too was trying to make the point to start both a run and a run back with the same foot. I didn't mean to insinuate that you can't start with the foot you want to start with. I just see most right handers take their first step with the right foot, and was using it as an example. I suppose I misunderstood what he was trying to say.

[USMC Vaulter]

Jennapv - I hope I didnt sound like a jerk - I was just trying to answer the post. Sounds like we're both on the same page about this.
You're also correct that most righty's take their first step with their right foot (I'm a lefty and take my first with my left) - I just wanted to illustrate that you can do either just so long as you are consistant. Sorry for any misunderstandings.

[dj]

right or left handed you should toe your start mark with you takeoff foot..right handed vaulters, left foot and step with your right.. why? biomechanics.. if you start "cross' footed you have more of a chance of "swinging" the pole during the run..the pole gets out of balance you adjust the run (incorrectly) to compensate....

if a right handed vaulter places his/her left foot on the mark and steps with the right.. the right grip is on the right hip and "insink" with the right hip throughout the run..

we all have seen or coached vaulters, some world class, that get the pole out of balance and start running incorrectly to compensate. once this happens if almost impossible to correct the run and pole carry in mid run.. the vaulter usually stretches has a low, later plant.. takesoff under and goes 20' in the air but comes down inthe box.

a long jumper or triple jumper can correct the run after a skip or out of balance start..they don't have to carry a pole... but an out of balance pole carry will usually counter any running posture correction attempts the vaulter tries to make. take a 5lb weight and hold it in your right hand at your pocket.. walk accross the room... then hold the weight in your left hand, striaght in front of the chest, then walk back accross the room.. feel any difference?

dj

[USMC Vaulter]

While I do agree with DJ that it is biomechanically superior to 'toe your start mark with your take off foot' - I'm not sure that it will have such an adverse/detrimental effect on the entire vault, especially for someone who feels more natural starting with the opposite foot. Also, when dealing with beginners, I've found that just getting them to run consistantly can be challenging enough - so allowing them to get used to their approach the way they would normally start a run can remove some of the confusion that young vaulters have.

With that said - everything that dj stated in his post is definitely true. I guess its just difference in coaching opinions. Once again, I was thinking of younger vaulters who were just starting out.

[John]

Thanks for all the input so far! (I LOVE THIS SITE!)

All great points!

[USMC Vaulter]

So dj posted a couple good responses on the other thread we had going simultaneously (sorry Becca).
Here is my response to the original post and to the last things dj said.

Quick fixes generally just cause problems in the long wrong - and I usually preach that pretty regularly.

So while it is possible for you to start from either foot and still hit your mark (thus my original posts) - it is definitely not advantageous (sp?)- biomechanicaly it is inferior and will eventually cause problems for you in the long run and hinder your growth. So the smart/better thing to do is to work on a simple issue now (like which foot you start your run with) as opposed to something that could be a big problem in the future when you're running faster/vaulting higher/using longer stiffer poles - because being off balance at the plant can cause all kinds of problems, and even be dangerous.

[dj]

Why I feel the run is important

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