Posted by krisandamy on April 13, 2001 at 09:05:23:
In Reply to: headgames posted by pvgoddess on April 13, 2001 at 00:42:27:
Jessica,
You are not alone by any means. This is the most common problem in pole vaulting. I've suffered from it for 12 years. There is one solution that has worked for me and the vaulters I coach:
Plant your pole in box, standing directly under your top hand. Place a white towel in front of your toes on the runway. A shoe, a piece of foam, or just about anything else soft will work. I've heard of guys placing buckets, medicine balls, or highway cones down, but that could get dangerous.
If your steps are correct on the track, when you jump with this towel in place, your mind will force your body not to step on the towel and instead take off correctly behind it. Keep doing this until you start jumping correctly consistently, then gradually start taking the towel away. It has worked for us.
If it doesn't work, your run is probably too long and you need to move your steps up closer to the box.
Hope this helps,
Kris