First Year Vaulter

[MCvaulter]

Hey, I feel totally dissapointed in my season, I'm a freshman and this is my fist time vaulting. I cleared 9 feet about halfway in the season with a 150 pole, 12 feet skypole. I then with about 2 weeks left in the season had to move to a 160 14 foot pole and only cleared 8-6. Will using this larger pole pay off later on, or should I try to get a 160 13 or 12 footer. I'm 157 pounds

[Texasvaulter07]

how high are you holding on the 14 foot pole

[Russ]

MCVauter,

At this point in your learning, it sounds as though your technique and skills should be your principal focus (rather than the pole itself). Unless you are bending the pole properly with decent technique, the length and weight-rating of the pole are pretty much meaningless. As a rule of thumb, you should strive to achieve "near-perfect" technique from 5 lefts, before you start trying to bend the pole. I have my vaulters move to a longer pole only after they have gradually worked their grip up to the top of the pole that they have been working with, and then only when it appears that that pole is too soft.

It sounds to me like you are trying to rush things. One of my best vaulters (a high school junior) has just begun taking a few jumps with a 14 foot pole (and then he's only gripping about 12'8"). He weighs 139. He was beginning to blow through a 13-165, so he moved up to a 14-150. We are gradually trying to raise his grip on the 14 foot pole, but we are making that decision on a jump-by-jump basis.

[Russ]

MCvaulter,

To directly answer your question, yes. A 12-160 or 12'6-160 would be far, far more appropriate than a 14-160. A 14-160 is roughly equivalent to a 12-200.

[science geek]

you should be able to clear something like 10' easily on a 12' pole. If you haven't you should get a heavier pole rather than longer. each foot in length is equivalent to 15 or so pounds of weight on the same length pole. So going from a 12' 150 to a 13' 150 is about the same as going from a 12' 150 to a 12' 165. you should be able to jump on a pole that is at least 15 pounds over your weight before you consider moving to a longer pole for the most part. As with every generalization there are exceptions, but most of the time this is true.

[MCvaulter]

thanks alot for everything