Everything Track and Field Discussion Forums

A young athlete learning to vault should not be aloud to try to get off the ground until he or she has learned how to perform the run up with a pole correctly.
They should be required by coaches to be able to perform the various drills before ever being allowed to attempt the actyual vault.
pole carry
run-up
pole plant
three step drill
drills for inversion
drills for the pull and push
drills for getting off the pole
streengtrhening drills
proper running drills
etc.
For safety purpose
for eliminating bad habits that will be hard to correct later on.

Hey, are you currently a coach? if not do you wish to possibly become a coach?

Agreed. I really like this post a lot. Makes me want to try pole vaulting.

Also needed is a qualified coach to teach the basic fundamentals to make vaulting safe

OK i can see were the safety part comes in but seriously, if i had to learn how to pole vault before i tried it i would have never pole vaulted in my life. My first coach didn't know much but cause he let me jump and get the feeling of the pole in my hand and the feel of jumping on the mat, made me feel like i belonged, now i know that everyone is different but if i had to sit and learn how to, instead of have fun i really don't think i would have become a 14 foot pole vaulter.

Hi, I have a son and he practices athletic.He representing his country (colombia) and he is national champion of pol vaulting and the second places in South America. But the most imprtant is the coach: Here in Bogota, we have a good coaches, but we dont have good tools (good poles vault). My son does many exercises every afternoon. He always go to the training center for practice Jumps, force in his arms, run, what ever he needs practice every time more!.

It's not about dictating when you're ready to actually jump, but rather preparing the beginner jumpers to execute the early stages properly. For instance, more than I'd care to see, I often witness young jumpers (at meets), that have not been taught the correct technique & form early, thus having developed bad habits which lead uneventfull and potentialy dangerous jumps. Teaching and emploring drills and worouts which enhance and develop the athlete are a part which is not always delivered.
It's apparent in so many seperate instances, and especially in times where a kid is injured because of inability to train properly or the lack of coaches that are as great as teaching as they were when they competed...These are the steps which make a vault, and can be employed and refined over time, all the while jumping, meeting and exceeding goals:
Body Posture-
Knee Position
Speed & Exceleration
Lefts-Steps
Pole Carry-sequence from start to plant
Stride- (at run-up)
Stride- (at plant)
Steps- (at which time to raise pole to its proper height and position, preparing for a solid plant which results in proper height & pole angle as it drives into box
Plant-(stride at which to execute plant, angle of pole, location of pole tip at initial contact with box, pole rotation & speed)
Take-Off- drive position, chest,arms, trail, etc.

These important steps are the essence which results in a succesfull and safe jump, and are not difficult to teach the kids. Sure it will be some time before these steps are executed with perfection if such a thing exists, but at least they are being taught to understand the dynamics of the sport, and why things happen when they do if done correctly...

I hope that makes sense

"Fly High"