Posted by essx on October 08, 2002 at 06:39:24:
In Reply to: pole bending posted by kerk on October 07, 2002 at 21:08:44:
"cleared 11'6" just sitting on top of the pole and not bending it"
I assume this means your are holding higher than you are vaulting. RIGHT and when you do bend the pole it is because you are holding higher even more I suspect.
Keeping the hand grip down will allow the hips to swing higher thus pole vaulting.
A good rule of thumb I use when coaching is
"When you are vaulting equal to your hand grip lower the grip on the pole by one fist and drive the box!" What happens will surprise you all, but you might on that day learn to pole vault over your grip with a lot of nice push off?
I have to give credit to Paul Richards of Altius for that saying though!
Bruce Caldwell