We acknowledge the normal U.S. High School Track Coach has numerous and varied responsibilities. Generally, basic and safe pole vault techniques are taught quite well under circumstances of a concentrated and short season. This website is dedicated to improve, enhance and support pole vault knowledge and education. The following email from a respected Coach from Finland offers good perspective for thought...

Comments: "The safest helmet for a pole vaulter is to learn a good technique under the supervision of a good coach. In the absence of a good coach, don't be in a hurry to jump high, but learn the best execution of all the drills you know and jump safe into the center of the pit. An injured pole vaulter will never be able to jump..." - Massimo Di Bella Back to top.

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Question: I am interested in learning more about pole vaulting. What clinics can I go to? What camps are good for coaches to attend? How can I get certified in teaching pole vault?

Answer: Start by contacting your closest university and ask the track coach about any local clinics. Some clinics are oriented more to athletes than coaches. John Hoogasian at Holy Cross College is active as a USATF coach and may be a valuable resource for you. He can be reached at 508-793-2317. The foremost clinic on a National level is in January in Reno, NV each year. You can get information on this at www.polevaultsummit.com. For pole vault coaching certification you could check the USATF website at www.usatf.org. Back to top.

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Question: I'm a high school pole vaulter and the pole with the lowest weight we have is for 120lbs., however, I weigh 100lbs. Our current track coach doesn't know about pole vaulting because our pole vault coach left to work in another area. I'm currently looking into purchasing a new pole, and was wondering if there were any specific standards that a high school pole must meet. For example, I found a pole that has an increased pre-bend, would that be legal in a meet?

Answer: All High School competition and training must be conducted under rules set forth by the National Federation of High School Associations. Their website is www.nfhs.org. Important restrictions are that the suggested top-handgrip (marked with a band) cannot be exceeded and that the vaulter must not vault on a pole rated below their weight. Further, "training poles" are not permitted and each allowable pole must be properly marked and labeled with a one inch band showing the test weight (eg 110 lbs, 120lbs, etc.). New rules have also been implemented in respect to the size of the landing area (see www.nfhs.org/press/track_and_field_rules_changes02.html). Each High School and especially their coaches are responsible for the facility. However it is very important that vaulters understand their responsibility. We suggest you ask your coaches to fully explain the rules and that you too ensure your personal safety is not compromised. It is expected that beginning vaulters will learn the first stages of vaulting and even compete without being concerned about pole-bending. In this way you can definitely learn the basics of vaulting despite in your case the pole being 20 lbs above your weight. Back to top.

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Question: Are the new larger pole vault pits being required this next vaulting year? 2003?

Answer: Effective January 1st there are new rules for Pole Vault Landing areas. Many existing pits will comply, others will not... For complete details please see the links to NFHS and NCAA under "Links" in the Coaches' Special section of this website. Back To Top.

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Question: I am a 12-9 female, pole vaulter (post collegian) who suffered from ankle (left) problems during my senior year of college. It has been two years since college and a year since I had ankle surgery. I would like to begin vaulting but am unsure how the ankle will respond since that is my take-off foot. I began vaulting as a college sophomore and before that I long and triple jumped with my right foot being my preferred take-off foot. How difficult to do you think it would be for me to re-learn the vault left handed since I would rather take-off from my right foot? Do you think it would help erase a lot of bad habits (pole set-up, jump set-up, etc.) since I am more educated in the event? Do you know of anyone who has tried this before?

Answer: by Dr. William Batherson - Center for Physical Medicine - Metairie:
First off, without knowing more specifics on your initial ankle injury and subsequent surgery, it is difficult to speculate how your ankle would hold up if you continue to vault right handed. That being said, the non take-off foot must also absorb a lot of forces and is also frequently injured. A case in point would be the frequency in which vaulters get Achilles tendonitis in the non take-off foot. The training associated with pole vaulting subjects both the take-off and non take-off foot to a lot of stresses and potential overuse injuries. If a person can handle the rigors involved in general training such as sprinting and plyometrics, I think this would be a good prognosticator as to whether or not the suspect ankle would be able to handle the stresses incurred with pole vaulting; take-off or non take-off foot.. Secondly, the progression in preparing to vault again must be a gradual leading up to the full stresses involved in pole vaulting. If you have had two years off, this could be a considerable length of time. Lastly, even being a pretty high level vaulter, to attempt to relearn the event and create new neuro-pathways would be an enormous undertaking, to say the least. And, there is still no guarantee that you would ever get back to the level your were at in your collegiate days. Back To Top.

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Question: I graduated high school where I was extremely fortunate to have a really awesome pole vault coach. However, I was very immature and not ready to go away to a college with a good vaulting program. In high school I would meet my goals every year by improving very consistently. I ended my high school career with a height of 11' 9" in 2001. In my first year of college, I cleared 12', but I did not have the coaching at meets, and I became very inconsistent and frustrated. I know I have a lot more room for improvement, and I am on an intense speed/weight training program. I feel like I just need more pole vault coaching and a better program. I am now looking into transferring, and I was just wondering if you could advise me to any good programs? This would be a great help.

Answer: Transferring to a new school may or may not be an easy option for you. We suggest you talk to your head coach and take his or her advice. There are strengths and weaknesses to all programs. Almost all collegiate coaches will have the athletes long term development in mind. Your training and results may appear to be regressing but long term results could be dramatic. Try to always be objective and honest with your self-evaluation and that of your coaches. Back To Top.

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Question: I'm a vaulter who has been vaulting for about 2 years. I would like to know which muscle groups I should train to help in penetration. Also, I find it very difficult to get myself to do the full rockback extension. Could you please offer some tips? I am able to clear 3.5m.

Answer: Core strength (back, abdominal, chest) is very important for vaulters. However your total development to include strength, speed, balance, endurance and flexibility will provide a solid physical base and foundation. As young athletes grow and mature they will become stronger. For beginners "pole-vault" strength can come from all pole vault related drills. Many coaches use simple gymnastic training to enhance strength and coordination. On the floor activities could include forward and backward rolls, cartwheels and handsprings etc. Supervision should be provided at all times. More advanced activities could be done such as rope climbing and work on bars such as a chin-up bar or high or parallel or uneven bars.

The "full rock back extension" is a very advanced position, and only achieved after a proper run, carry, plant and take-off. In pole vaulting there are no short cuts and no substitute for experience over time with hundreds of drills, take-offs and actual vaults. We encourage you to work closely with your coach and through repetition and perseverance you will certainly improve. Back To Top.

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