Peaking too soon....

[sean]

Okay, it's my first year ever to pole vault. I'm hitting 10' as a HS freshman. I've only been jumping for about three weeks. My problem now is that I am getting plenty of height but I am hitting my maximum way before the bar. So I'm either falling on top of the bar or I'm falling before the bar. My coaches don't know much about PV so I'm on my own to determine what's going wrong. I'm 5'8 and 160 lbs using a 170# pole.

Thanks,
SS

[Texasvaulter07]

try dropping you grip down a hand width.

[altius]

You are gripping too high on a pole which is too stiff for you. Unfortunately gripping down on that pole wont help because it will stiffen it more -need a 160/165 in a shorter length probably.

[AKell]

yeah- can you get a pole that's a bit lighter? you can work back up to the stiffer one, but you probably should start on a pole that's more flexible.

[difallstar]

I agree with everyone, but it might be that you aren't driving for long enough, and ur hips are getting past the pole too soon, forcing the pole to recoil early. Try keeping ur hips back and invert a blater

[LancerVaulter07]

[ "To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift." -Pre ]

thats an awesome quote, i never heard that before,...