Comments on recent rule changes

[vaultguru6]

Herbert Czingon, a German National PV coach and creator of video website www.stabhochsprung.com gives comment on recent rule changes of the vault that seem to digress our sport and gives recommendations for future rule changes. I feel his comments and suggestions for the most part are right on and in the best interest of the sport. Please read and post your comments/thoughts. I know many people are enraged about recent rule changes, but it's always nice to hear more opinions from more vaulters.


Herbert Czingon
National Pole Vault Coach (DLV)
Germany
COMMENT ON THE CURRENT AMENDMENTS
TO THE POLE VAULT RULES
Résumé
The latest version of the pole vault rules
• makes it impossible to compare present with past performances,
• is causing delays in the course of competition,
• makes it more difficult to generate competition results as it is less clear whether a
competitor has failed or not.
• And due to the fact that these rules are not equal and consequently applied in all
competitions, they may destroy the athletes’ belief in the fairness of the rules.
Therefore these rules should be abandoned.
Future amendments to the rules should take into consideration athletes’ safety, attraction
from the spectators’ point of view and the potential to produce clear competition results.
Any introduction of new rules should be prepared by thorough deliberation with inclusion of
all persons involved (e.g. athletes and coaches).
THE PRESENT SITUATION
The pole vault rule changes introduced early this year affect mainly three aspects: pegs have
been shortened from 75mm to 55mm, the cross-section of the crossbar’s end pieces has been
changed, and the preparation time for a trial has been limited to 1 minute. Touching the bar
with hands has been forbidden since about 1998.
While the reduction of the preparation time has been accepted by most athletes without
complaint, the shortening of the pegs and the changed cross-section of the crossbar’s end
pieces have caused widespread discussion. From the viewpoint of athletes and coaches there
is no relation between the considerable costs these changes provoke and the alleged
advantages. Contrarily, important disadvantages arose from this.
The reasons given for the above-mentioned rule changes were more or less:
“A tremblin bar shows that the athlete has almost failed the height. For the sake of justice
such a poor performance shall be identified by a crossbar which tends more easily to fall
to the ground. Thus, athletes who are able to clear a bar in a proper way get the
appropriate recognition.â€Â

[vaultguru6]

come on guys? do you care? are you even reading the post? gimme some response now.

[rainbowgirl28]

I thought it was a lot to digest... but wow. Very intelligent analysis of the rule changes.

[Decamouse]

The change in the box could easily be accomadated with a rule that says the angle can be between a and b - thus allow current style but allowing other - the pit size - for Elite IAAF type the bigger pit makes sense - does it make sense for 99% of HS where a 15 plus vaulter is not a every year thing less a 17, 18 or higher - touching the bar with your hand - what about the HJ then - I think if you are talented enough to steady it go for it - but then keep the shorter pegs to make it a true art - Round ends have been around for a long time - so lets not get too crazy - these are my own thoughts - worth about the effort it takes to rea them