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The Pole Vaulting Pole

Article By: Brian Yokoyama,
Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC)

Which One? What Grip?
SIX TIPS TO INCREASE YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND IMPROVE YOUR VAULTING

Pole vaulting, like the throwing events in track and field requires the use of an implement. Success in the pole vault as well as in the throws requires an athlete to be in synchronization with the implement. An athlete who knows how to use his/her implement will produce greater performances. This article outlines six tips on pole usage to increase your knowledge and improve your pole vaulting.

TIP #1

A SHORT STIFF POLE WILL PRODUCE GREATER HEIGHTS THAN A LONG SOFT POLE

  1. A short fat rubberband shoots further than a long thin one.
  2. A vaulter should always use a pole rated above his/her body weight. If the vaulter is not able to jump on a pole above his/her body weight, the vaulter should move down in length.
  3. Bottom Line: If you can get on a very long and stiff pole, your name may be either Dean Starkey or Sergei Bubka!

TIP #2

WHEN TO GET ON A LONGER POLE?

  1. The most common error in coaching or in vaulting is to get on a longer pole too soon.
  2. The vaulter should get on a longer pole when he/she can vault on a pole 20-30 pounds over their body weight with the standards set all the way back (75-80cm/30-32in).
  3. The only exception to the rule above is when a vaulter can penetrate deep into the pit with very little pole bend (the athlete is jumping over the top of the pole).
  4. Bottom Line: The higher you hold does not necessarily mean that you will jump higher. Jason Hinkin of Long Beach State University jumped 18'07"1/2 holding only 15'04" which

TIP #3

GRIP WITHIN THE AREA DESIGNATED BY THE POLE MANUFACTURER

  1. Almost every pole is manufactured with a sailpiece. The sailpiece is in the middle area of the pole designed to withstand the most load. Most poles today are tapered so that they are thicker in the middle and thinner at the ends.
  2. Sailpiece heights depends upon the length of the pole. The longer the pole, the higher the sailpiece, the harder to get on the pole.
  3. There is no linear relationship between your grip height and pole stiffness. Many coaches and athletes believe that a pole is a pound stiffer for every inch held down. This is not true. A vaulter who holds 3 feet down on a pole, will not make the pole 36 pounds stiffer, because the point at which the most load will occur has now moved below the sailpiece.
  4. Bottom Line: Listen to the manufacturers, they built it, they know how to use it! You

TIP #4

POLE PROGRESSION

  1. When gripping within the recommended grip areas per 1 foot of difference it is generally considered that per 1 foot difference between poles the weight rating difference equals 15 pounds.
  2. Example #1: A pole which is 14 feet in length, rated for 170 pounds and is gripped (top hand) at 13 feet is equal to a pole which is 15 feet in length, rated for 155 pounds and is gripped at the same height of 13 feet.
  3. Example #2: Let's say you have a beginning male athlete who is 150 pounds. Here is a suggested progression for that athlete. 13'/150lbs - 13'/155lbs - 13'/160lbs - 13'/165lbs - 13'/170lbs - 13'/175lbs - 14'/165lbs - 14'/170lbs - 14'/175lbs - 15'/165lbs - 15'/170lbs - 15'/175lbs - 16'/165lbs - 16'/170lbs - 16'/175lbs. The formula is to keep the vaulter on the same length pole until he/she can vault on a pole 20-30 pounds over their body weight and then go up 1 foot in length and drop down 10 pounds with the same hand grip as the shorter pole used before.
  4. Bottom Line: This progression makes the transition to longer poles a whole lot easier and it forces.

TIP #5

POLE SELECTION CHART

TYPE OF BEND
PENETRATION
SOLUTION
Big bend
Little penetration
 1. Lower grip
2. Is the grip width more than shoulder width?
3. Improve technique of run and takeoff
Big bend
Deep penetration
 1. Whether the technique was good or bad, move to a stiffer pole.
Small bend
Little penetration
 1. Did the vaulter have good technique?
A. Move to a softer pole
2. Did the vaulter have poor technique?
A. Improve technique
Small bend
Deep penetration
 1. Raise grip height

TIP #6

WHEN IN DOUBT CALL THE MANUFACTURER

  1. They built it, they know how to best use thier poles.
  2. Flex numbers vary between the different lengths of poles. A 15.0 15 foot pole is not the same stiffness as 15.0 14 foot pole.
  3. Bottom Line: Pole vaulting can be dangerous if you don't know how to use your equipment within its intended specifications. You wouldn't fly a F-16 without know how to fly it.

Pole Manufacturer Contact Numbers
UCS/SPIRIT (800) 537-7117 www.ucsspirit.com UCS/SPIRIT
GILL SPORTS (800) 637-3090 www.gillsports.com Pacer, Pacer Carbon, Skypole, MS. Stick
PORTAPIT (800) 648-3347 www.portapit.com Catapole, Fibersport

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