The pole vault is actually very simple

[OAKPV2004]

it is very easy, once you learn you wont forget.

[dj]

hello

RUN... PLANT>>> SWING////

dj

[saraf]

I think it gets hard once you start thinking about it. but if you just run and hold on its prity easy

[vaulter870]

I think it gets hard once you start thinking about it. but if you just run and hold on its prity easy

amen

[GeorgeN]

I am trying to be simple here. I never really thought much about vaulting. I mean the details. I ran. I lifted weights. I focused on going high. That was it. And I bet Bubka would have the same thing to say.
It seems that on this sight( and I do enjoy it) that many vaulters just can't vault , perhaps they don't have natural talent, and they are looking for simple answers to get them high.
The answer, unfortunatey, is that if you are really asking these questions, you will never get high.
Does Powell think about each step and how each muscle is moving s he runs a 100? I am sure not.
If you have the ability you will hit 18 feet or higher with a moron as a coach. A coach will only add 1 foot or so to your max.

and that's the straight poop

[baggettpv]

And Bubka wasn't knowledgeable about his skill ability? Check out coaching roles and many more areas of coaches education that helps us all become better at the thing we love to do. And yes, Talent helps. alot. I have had mine. Indoor HS Indoor record for girls (Sara Sasaki, 99) and outdoors for boys (Tom skipper, present).

Rick Baggett
WSTC LLC

[ADTF Academy]

Does Powell think about each step and how each muscle is moving s he runs a 100? I am sure not.
If you have the ability you will hit 18 feet or higher with a moron as a coach. A coach will only add 1 foot or so to your max.

and that's the straight poop

Actually your right when Powell is in a meet he just runs. Kind of hard to think when your running that fast. WOW On the other hand when any vaulter gets in a competition setting. Most of them shouldn't think. They shoudl rely on what they trained their body to do.

I have talked to one of Powell's coaches the guy is intense when it comes to running/training. In the 100m you only have so much time/distance to be perfect every step is planned. They know exactly where each foot should strike the ground during the race. You would be amazed how precise world class sprinters are. In that respect much like vaulters.

I will agree the average vaulter (high school and most college vaulters even master vaulters) without admitting it go on feel and the flow. Maybe some of our coaches that have worked with higher level vaulters (elite level vaulters) can confirm if those vaulters are a tad more precise in their vault or if they as you put it go by the flow.

[GeorgeN]

So you are in agreement with me then. A good coach may make a record breaker, but an athlete with desire and ability will do 18 feet without a coach. Bubka would have done 19 feet without a coach.
I do not understand your point.

I am saying that all the discussion on this site about technique is only to get a 10 footer to 11 feet. It will not get a 10 footer to 18 feet.

[souleman]

BINGO!
George I think in a round about way you've hit on what I've been saying all along. That being said, I would be ecstatic if I could go from 9'6" to 11'. I can guarantee that there are more vaulters on this web site that fit into my category, or coaches that have vaulters in my category that would love that increase than there are in the elite crowd. (I'm sure that most of those that I speak about aren't 54 years old like I am with progressively worsening legs). But I would love to see us focus a little more on my kind of vaulter with suggestions that can actually get me and the others .....there. Let me put this in perspective for you. If I could get to 11', in Boston next year competing in the 55 to 59 year old bracket, I could medal more than likely. If I could get another foot and a half out of my 7 to 8 footer girls, we'd win meets. Vaulting is pretty easy if you think about it. On the other hand if we can deal with a correct approach to the newbies (BTB) and figure out little steps to improve a "been there done it this way for too long, so getting to the 6.40model ain't gonna be easy....if possible at all" guy like me, then I think we can help the majority........those that really need it. I may be wrong on this but it's just kinda how I feel. Don't hesitate to dispute my ramblings at all. I learn something from every post I read. Later........Mike

[GeorgeN]

I agree. I am 48 and my achilles are killing me.
I love to make people think and then they make me think. I only mean to start good, intellectual conversations.
I am just saying that recruiting is what makes a great coach look good. If my college coach ( he coached 2 US hs champs in the pv and one in the decathalon) , coachced at a high school, ( he was a college coach), he probably would have gotten one 16 foot vaulter in 20 years. If you have a reputation, great athletes come to you, and your percentages look great. If he coached at a high school and coached a 16 foot vaulter every year, I would have to rethink my reality.

Good luck to both of us in our not so young bodies. Enjoy life. I think that is what it is all about.


Thanks,

George

[altius]

Sorry folks - I believe you are heading in the wrong direction if you start looking for technical models suitable for specific ages - especially aged bodies! Bearing that "What is technically desirable must be physically possible" which will place some limits on both young and old, you will not go wrong aiming for the Petrov Bubka model - even if you dont quite get there. I believe that MASTER proves that it is possible for aged bodies to get very close to the model.

I am afraid that girls who can only jump 8' feet after some serious training may not have the ability to go much higher. Our aim after three months was 3.00metres/9' 9" with an emphasis only on run and take off - that provides a base for moving to the next level - 3.30/3.50 using the high bar and rope swing exercises.

The pole vault may be simple but that does make it easy!

[ADTF Academy]

I agree with Altius here. I think the issue in the states is the abundence of athletes we have. It is a public system we have in the US where everyone is free to try the vault. Because of this we sometimes we get not so athletic people trying the vault. is there anythign wrong with that. NOT AT ALL.

Heck I am sure any coach that has been around has had the 7 foot girls 9 foot guys that in all respect were never going any higher no matter what they did (I still think they had two left feet but thats just me).


In all honest for a girl to go 10 and guy 12 doesn't take much if they have basic athletic ability and can still get down the runway (old timers ) The basics of the model are still there. The run, carry, plant and takeoff are still there. The setup for the swing is the same. Will these athletes complete the model, probably not. However, getting and working on the fundamentals of the model will put them into a position to find out. The cream will come to the top as long as they are willing to stick with it.

The issue I personally have with people asking for advice is that. They ask questions like how do I get inverted when they don't even carry the pole right. How can you give this person an answer when there is no short answer for them. What are we suppose to say to this. Umm learn how to vault.

So in respect I guess it is simple, work on the fundamentals. Isn't this the same with any athletic event/sport. Why it is not easy is because most people won't take the time.