What step and what pole should I go with.

A forum to discuss pole vault technique as it relates to beginning vaulters. If you have been jumping less than a year, this is the forum for you.

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What step and what pole should I go with.

Unread postby VaultMarq26 » Tue Apr 25, 2006 10:39 pm

Here is the situation.....today at practice I was jumping well from a 5 step on a 15' 180 pole with a 16.2 flex......I was gripping down 8 inches.

In competition I normally use a 15' 185 pole with a 15.4 flex....running from a 7 step and gripping down 2 inches from the top.

i am 5'10" 175

Looking at these numbers I feel like something doesn't match up.....Since I am getting a big pop from the 5 step should I stay with it, or should I get a bigger pole?
Last edited by VaultMarq26 on Wed Apr 26, 2006 1:58 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Unread postby theczar » Tue Apr 25, 2006 11:13 pm

something tells me that the 16.5 flex pole isn't accurate. A difference of .3 in flex should be almost unnoticable, expecially if you are running froom the same step.

you are right, something doesnt add up...

but if you have a bigger pole, get on it, i say.

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Unread postby VaultMarq26 » Tue Apr 25, 2006 11:18 pm

theczar wrote:something tells me that the 16.5 flex pole isn't accurate. A difference of .3 in flex should be almost unnoticable, expecially if you are running froom the same step.

you are right, something doesnt add up...

but if you have a bigger pole, get on it, i say.


My bad I wrote it down wrong


I made the change..it is an 185 not 180 i compete with...and I had the flexes flip-flopped
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Unread postby theczar » Tue Apr 25, 2006 11:21 pm

VaultMarq26 wrote:
theczar wrote:something tells me that the 16.5 flex pole isn't accurate. A difference of .3 in flex should be almost unnoticable, expecially if you are running froom the same step.

you are right, something doesnt add up...

but if you have a bigger pole, get on it, i say.


My bad I wrote it down wrong


I made the change..it is an 185 not 180 i compete with...and I had the flexes flip-flopped


oh.... well....uh....

that's even more confusing


are the poles different makes? how old? how used?

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Unread postby VaultMarq26 » Tue Apr 25, 2006 11:27 pm

Both Pacer Fx poles and both bought within the last two years.......I am jumping about the same height either way....so my only guess is that when I go from the seven step something in my form breaks down, or i am not getting a pop from the pole......I am thinking of getting a 15 190 or 15' 195 for my seven step.....i figure if I can handle a 180 from a 5 step....i could handle more on a seven.....right????
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Re: What step and what pole should I go with.

Unread postby NCPVguy » Tue Apr 25, 2006 11:30 pm

VaultMarq26 wrote:Here is the situation.....today at practice I was jumping well from a 5 step on a 15' 180 pole with a 16.2 flex......I was gripping down 8 inches.

In competition I normally use a 15' 185 pole with a 16.5 flex....running from a 7 step and gripping down 2 inches from the top.

i am 5'10" 175

Looking at these numbers I feel like something doesn't match up.....Since I am getting a big pop from the 5 step should I stay with it, or should I get a bigger pole?


VaultMarq26. First check your flex numbers. If your 180 is 16.2 then the 185 should have a lower number not a higher one. The stiffer the pole the lower the flex number. You should not need 2 strides to get on the next pole. You should not have to raise your grip higher either. In your picture you are cutting your trail leg. You should keep it straighter longer and work to get on bigger stick. Good luck.

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Re: What step and what pole should I go with.

Unread postby theczar » Tue Apr 25, 2006 11:34 pm

NCPVguy wrote:
VaultMarq26 wrote:Here is the situation.....today at practice I was jumping well from a 5 step on a 15' 180 pole with a 16.2 flex......I was gripping down 8 inches.

In competition I normally use a 15' 185 pole with a 16.5 flex....running from a 7 step and gripping down 2 inches from the top.

i am 5'10" 175

Looking at these numbers I feel like something doesn't match up.....Since I am getting a big pop from the 5 step should I stay with it, or should I get a bigger pole?


VaultMarq26. First check your flex numbers. If your 180 is 16.2 then the 185 should have a lower number not a higher one. The stiffer the pole the lower the flex number. You should not need 2 strides to get on the next pole. You should not have to raise your grip higher either. In your picture you are cutting your trail leg. You should keep it straighter longer and work to get on bigger stick. Good luck.


what he said...

also, i would get on that 190 if i were you, providing that the flex numbers are a good step up for you.

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Unread postby VaultMarq26 » Tue Apr 25, 2006 11:40 pm

I know the 180 is a 16.2....i'll check on the 185, but i dont' think it is lower.....my picture is actually on a 15' 6" 180.....it is from last year....i have been having a lot of trouble carrying a longer pole this year. Hopefully the bigger pole will get me a little more pop up top
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Unread postby Robert schmitt » Wed Apr 26, 2006 1:41 am

You probably have a much better take off from 5 lefts. jump occassionaly and never train so I typically run from 4 lefts on a 13'9" 190 and have jumped 14'7" with it. I can get on a much bigger pole from 6 lefts but have only jump 14'6" from that run (plus I can only make down the runway 3 times from that far away). But the thing is the timing and takeoff is not as good on my six step so my swing sucks and relativly so does my jump.

I would try a couple things jumping from a 6 and/or keep you grip the same from seven and adjust by going to stiffer poles. Reading your last post if your having trouble carring a longer pole there is probably an error in the timing, run, or mechnics of your plant which is limiting you potential on the 7 step and being magnified by the longer pole.


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