Implementing BTB

[craigmtb]

You probably got it worked out already with all the knowledge at the Summit. However, I will pitch in my 2cents.

I agree with altius that you do look under. As you leave the ground there is already significant bend in the pole, relative to a free take off which is the ideal. Now having said that, I imagine the back problems you mentioned may be that limiting factor.

It also seems as if you could easily use a shorter pole, perhaps with a higher flex rating to create more pole speed, and making it easier for you to cover the pole sooner, thus using the recoil to facilitate your push off. Then working to longer poles.

Finally, try keeping your trail leg longer, longer. Point that toe and swing, think of your legs on a swing.

No expert by any means, but trying to help.

[OUvaulterUSAF]

Here's some recent video from the summit. Yeah they're crappy no heights...but I don't really care about bar height just proper technique.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0uQAswgrRU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQaoG3dQO0c

I don't believe I'm taking off under. I record all my take-off marks.

Two of those jumps the take-off was at 14' and one was at 13'6". Having an 'on' step at that grip height for me is a take-off of about 12'9".

Anyway, after talking to Altius ever so briefly at the summit I did get some great nuggets of info. He assured me there is no pulling what so ever in the whip phase. All the force that keeps the pole bent comes from the leg whip (to include the bend at the hips--L position)...the arms are just the medium where the force is applied to the pole. The shoulder drop/hip drive is the next phase where force is applied and with the shoulder drop, the arms again are simply the medium where that force (shoulder drop) is applied to the pole.

The only pull with the arms is when you're already spiraling towards the bar.

So the quicker, more dynamic your whip is from the take-off phase, the quicker you can cover the pole, and the better position your COM will be where you can take advantage of that energy from the uncoiling pole.

I think of pole vaulting as not simply trying to clear the highest bar possibly, rather taking all that forward momentum and turning into vertical momentum in the most efficient way possible.

[altius]

OUvaulterUSAF - shorten the grip by one hand. This may allow you to drive your chest up through the shoulders with greater power - and the left hand will be driven back over your head - and allow you to execute a more effective whipping swing in the second phase.

[OUvaulterUSAF]

It's like looking into a Bubka mirror. See slideshow below.

http://www.mediafire.com/?cnw23uhzkdd

Getting closer to that pesky Petrov model...muahaha.

[vaulter870]

id say! look like you have a pretty good handel on it. only one slide is a tiny bit off from what i saw. keep it up