"under" on my step everytime...

[PV CaRaZzY65]

ahhhh, thank you soooo much!!!! practice was soooo good yesterday, im not under anymore and i got 9.0!!!! tonight is our conference and im hoping to set a new PR, thanks again!!!!

[Bubba PV]

I can sure tell you how great it felt when I got my first 9' jump and so can any other vaulter who has been that successful!! Way to go! Now focus on your technique and don't get obessed with poles, grips and heights. Or, run, plant, swing as DJ has always told me. I'm very excited for you and good luck tonight! Bubba

[PV CaRaZzY65]

ahhhhhh, i did horrible last night, i did great in warmups, clearing 9.0 but when we started vaulting at 7.0 i started going off the wrong foot!!! my steps were totally off and i only got 7.3....there goes my 4th place ranking at regionals....grrrrrrr....pole vaulting is frustrating!!!!!

[Bubba PV]

Things happen that way in the vault from time to time and it makes us stronger and smarter the next time. It's likely that you got too excited. How great is that? You're TOO excited. Golfers play four hours and keep coming back because they had one good shot, yet you're doing so well that you get TOO excited. You'll learn to stay calm and direct your excitement at a specific technical goal each jump.

You will do very well and I think it's awesome what you've accomplished! My favorite quote in the "Beginner to Bubka" book is, "Perfection is our goal, but excellence will be accepted". Congrats on your excellence!!

Finally, back when I was a kid (in the old days), we had a show on TV called Kung Fu where a young boy was taught from the beiggining by a master at martial arts. The master called his student "Grasshoppa". From that we made our own progression - weedhopper, weedhoppa, grasshopper, grasshoppa. You're now "weedhoppa" after being promoted from weedhopper because you have grown technically and mentally. Welcome to the smell of the grass!

Bubba

[altius]

Read Chapters 14 and 22 in BTB.

[dj]

did you check your "MID" during the competition?

where was it when you had a good practice and where was it when you were going off the wrong foot??!

dj

[patybobady]

I've been having the same problem. Was always around 83' and just graduated from college a year ago (and competitive consistent vaulting). Yet I was always a foot under. Now a coach, I jump with my guys and elsewhere regularly, but my step is back to starting at 84' ish and moving it back to 87' ish lately since I am sort of jamming myself at takeoff when at 84' ish and 3' under (pole becomes a little bent while still on ground but strength and speed with a tal plant get me past it and up and in well). However, my step is always 1'6"-2' under even when running from almost 87'. Any advice? I have a strange feeling when I move back, I still aim and stride out to the spot of just inside 10' where it is 'comfortable' when I want to be at 11'-11'6" (holding 13'3").

Quickening my last two steps is key, aside from the marker at say 10'9" to step before it what would help? Thanks.

[dj]

what i'm trying to say is your stretching because you are too far "out" on your run!!!

check a "MID" point on your run! 6 steps from the takeoff measured from the back of the box..

read the technique section in pvp under "MID" Chart

depending on how high you are holding it shoulds be in the low 40' range

you can use the "MID" to keep your run "ON" and not stretch under

dj

[patybobady]

K, thanks. Shortening up my steps at the middle/end is key. We'll see how this goes...

[dj]

patybobady

don't think we are on the same page.. or that you have any idea what i'm asking you to do... you will not have any idea if your steps are correct by just checking your takeoff!!!

if you are out half way done the runway you WILL not shorten up...if you do you will not make it to the takeoff point..... that is why you need a "MID" coaches check mark..

again ...what is your grip and 6 step/MID/coaches mark???

dj

[altius]

and 3' under (pole becomes a little bent while still on ground but strength and speed with a tal plant get me past it and up and in well).

WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY??!! Are you TRYING to kill yourself or will it be just an accident when it happens?

[dj]

My point exactly altius… we are trying to help but don’t seem to be marking progress..

We need a clearer picture of patybobadys’ vault… if you are three feet under after you move your step “backâ€Â