pit interfearence

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: In hs I can think of mabye 4 pits I jumped on that were tapered. Half of those ones were stacked on tires. that was just two years ago. even some of the pits in collage were in the same condition. It was part of our warm up to inspect the pit and make sure the rules were up held. However, once I acheived a certain amount of technique, this problem dissapeared. I'll explain below. : Why you don't see pit interfearence in the best jumpers in the nation is for a few reasons. : 1. They jump. jumping loads the pole high, keeping the bend even. : 2. They are on longer poles. Longer poles do 'squish' more, however they squish inside a greater area. They also pick up the vaulter more. This is because of a higher sailpiece. : 3. They use heavier poles. A slow old guy can jump on a pole 20 30 pounds over the weight and still grind it against the back of the box. However,that heavier pole is going to return more force into the vaulter, hopefully lifting them higher. Being lifted higher will also help keep an even bend. : 4. they are experienced. Money says they have had the pole hit the pit once in their carreers, and know what to expect if that happens. : The vaulters who have interferience with the pit usully over bend or have and uneven bend. In my experience this usually happens on spirit of 14 or 15 ft, and I would assume any pole of similar lenght sailpiece. Vaulters who have interfearence are : 1. vaulters on light poles for their weight or maintain a press on a short pole for too long of time, causing overbend (beyond 120 degrees). : 2. vaulters who pull at takeoff, hang for too long, dump, swing off the ground(not after acheiving takeoff, but directly from the plant), fail to 'jump', run through the pole, or anything else in the sorts that causes the pole to gain most of its bend in the lower half or third of the pole. : Anyway, the less experienced vaulters are usually the ones who have interferience problems. Don't denie it because you don't see it in the gods of vaulting, because that were most of out issues do NOT occure. But you are correct in that it is not a problem with tapered pits, as long as they are no piled on something (which is illeagle, save for I think 2 inched) : The other problem with interfearence is with older pits where the apron in virtecal at the sides. If a pole comes around and contacts the side, it could cause a vaulter to be shot off the side and miss the pit or hit the standard. This didn't used to be so much of a problem when poles weren't designed to come around (old yellow cats, accelerators too I think). This still is mostly a problem with the less experienced vaulters. : Finally, poles can get caught in the folds of pits( between the front aprons) if not properally covered, or stacked on tires(hint hint). This can happen with any vaulter of any experience level. : Also, there are a few companies that make pads to cover the exposed area left by moving a pit backwards. : : ### I disagree with some of your statement.. The NFHS rules do NOT allow for the pads to be moved away from the box area *if* the pads are tapered. I haven't seen a non-tapered pad for years, like back into the 80's. All modern day pads are tapered and therefore no exposed area is allowed. : : Everyone should re-read that rule section (7-4-9 on page 54). I do not buy into the argument of it interferes with the pole bend. I've officated with at meets with the bests vaulters in the country and we as officials moved that front pad right up to the edge of the box. Any school or official that allows more than two inches of exposed area is in violation of the NFHS rules (and NCAA and USATF) and is asking for trouble.

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