Technique Jeff Martin Indiana State University jeffrey.martin@indstate.edu 812-273 273-4332 What type of athletes make a good pole Vaulter Speed most important factor of any successful vaulter Gymnastic Ability has a good kinesthetic awareness of the body while in the air Strength Good overall body strength Grip how high can the athlete hold on the vaulting pole Student of the sport willingness to learn as much as they can about the pole vault Aggressiveness are they a risk takers 1
Where do I find potential pole vaulters? PE Swim Class (Who can dive) Cheerleaders Gymnasts Tumblers Where else? Who shouldn t t pole vault! Your slowest distance runner The 13sec male sprinter Etc Technique Grip & Pole Carry Approach Plant & Takeoff Swing Extension, Turn, & Clearance 2
Grip and Pole Carry Is important so the vaulter can run efficiently during the approach Grip should not be very wide but at the same time not very narrow Top hand should be at the vaulters hip with the hand hooking the pole and the thumb closed The bottom hand is positioned approx. 4-66 inches from the chest Grip and Pole Carry cont The elbow of the bottom arm flex and below the hand. The wrist should be strong and never drop below the vaulters palm As the vaulter begins the approach they will raise the pole to just about vertical This will allow them to have a more effective approach Top hand remains close to the hip Bottom hand stays close to the chest 3
Grip and Carry Approach Athlete must develop a consistent run! The approach should be slow to fast. Each stride should be longer than the one before at the beginning of the approach. At takeoff the athlete should be at a fast and controlled speed. This will allow the athlete to set themselves up for take-off. The length of the run will be determined by the ability of the athlete. Beginner athlete 6 step (12 strides) Advanced athlete 8 step (16 strides) Elite athlete 8 step or 9 step (18 strides) Length can be determined by how much velocity the athlete can produce. More velocity longer approach Less velocity short approach 4
Approach cont.. Consistency of the first three strides in the approach is key for any athlete to have a good approach. The takeoff foot is the same foot used to push off with at the start of the approach. At the start of the approach the athlete should push down and back against the track with good upright position. Repetition of runway work is key to any athlete, beginner to elite. Approach cont.. Good sprinting/running form is a must! Slow to fast approach must be practiced. Think of the approach like a car entering the freeway. If the athlete reaches top speed to early the athlete will then decelerate at the end of the run resulting in the athlete reaching at takeoff Use a check mark that is placed at the fourth stride from takeoff. Hands should remain still and not move throughout the approach. 5
Pole Plant & Takeoff Important for a successful attempt Pole Plant Performed during the last three strides of the approach The third to last step the vaulter starts the planting action by moving the top hand to the front of the hip On the second to last step the vaulter moves the top hand upward to the shoulder During the last step the BOTH hands move upward in a pushing action Pole Plant cont The shoulders should remain straight and level with the track Chest is up and big Both hands should actively push the plant over the head Both hands should be kept close to the body while performing the planting action The body is extended and tight The drive knee is brought upward with the heel under the butt 6
Takeoff Eyes, Head and Chest should be directed upward and outward Lead with the chest focusing on driving up and through the arms We need to create vertical velocity from the horizontal velocity that we produced on the runway. There should be separation from the hands and the chest. Correct position for takeoff is when the top hand and takeoff foot are in perfect alignment Takeoff cont The takeoff action is aggressive Top hand will move backward a bit Bottom arm will bend slightly Creating a reverse c position A fully extended and aggressive takeoff will lead to a better execution of the next stages of the vaulting action 7
Plant and takeoff Position Swing Begins after the takeoff Swing should be fast and powerful or a whipping action As the takeoff leg swings forward the shoulders and arms move the pole forward to a vertical position. Keep pressure on the pole!!! The drive knee remains in the original position and the takeoff leg should remain straight The vaulter will cover the pole and the shoulders continue to rotate though the jump Have the athlete move the right hand to the right thigh and the left hand to the left thigh. The legs & hips will move upward and the shoulders downward 8
Swing Extension, Turn & Clearance Extension Once the right hand is to the right thigh and the left hand is to the left thigh. The athlete will drive the shoulders downward to the mat. Once the pole straightens the vaulter should be in an aggressive vertical position with their back to the bar 9
Extension cont. The vaulter should travel along the pole keeping it close to the body Pressure from the top hand should remain on the pole at all times Athletes should NOT pop the hips The feet should remain over the head and should not drop at the bar. Extension, Turn & Clearance cont Turn Happens at the midpoint of the extension. Both legs are kept close together Drop one leg over the other to help with the turning action 10
Extension, Turn & Clearance cont Clearance Vaulters should always have a strong push off of the top the jump. Once the pole has unbend and to the vertical position and the athlete has pushed off the top they should let go of the pole Clearance cont The chin is tucked into the chest Once the vaulter lets go of the pole the hands should be turned with the palms turned outward to help concave the chest 11