PoleVaultPower.com

ok so i just tried vaulting and i really enjoyed what i have done so far. Me and a bunch of girls all just tried it together and the coach told us that he didnt see "any natural talent" and made it sound like he didnt want girls vaulting. He was telling us how if we compete it won't actually count b/c highschool girls pole vaulting doesnt exist yet. Is that true everywhere?? The coach also was saying how he'd be spending a lot more time on the boys. This really bothers me that girls are not getting a fair enough chance. Does anyone else out there have the same problem?? i really want to pole vault but i feel that i won't be getting the right amount of attention from this coach. Are there clinics I could go to? thanks again!

That sounds like a pretty bad situation. there are a lot of pole vault camps around the country. Post were you live and I'm sure someone on this site knows of a camp or facility you could go to.

What state are you in? Because there are very few states that don't let girls vault. It sounds like he is lying to you because he doesn't want to coach you. You should talk to your head coach or AD about this. It sounds to me like he is being sexist.

Shorty220 wrote: He was telling us how if we compete it won't actually count b/c highschool girls pole vaulting doesnt exist yet. Is that true everywhere?? !

Yeah what state are you in? I can't think of any state where that applies except maybe Indiana, and I think it is at least exhibition there now.

Try not to get in a fight with your coach. Not getting along with your high school coach is no fun. Ask your head coach about whether or not it is a scored event for girls. It almost certainly is, so make sure your head coach and your vault coach know how much you love it and want to score points for the team in it.

Keep working hard. Your coach may not give you as much attention, but there are a lot of things you can do to get better when you don't get pit time. Sprinting is important. The faster you are, the more potential you have.

Good luck!

As far as clinics, Bell Athletics has camps all the time, there are usually as many girls as guys...it is unfortunate that you have a biggot for a coach, the girls vault has probably done more for the sport of track over the past few years than any other event (due mainly to the number of world records)...

Keep your head up, stay determined, don't let this idiot of a coach hinder you from pursuing something you want to do...

Eleazar

To my knowledge, there are three states remaining that do not allow girls to vault, and Iowa still does not allow boys to either if I remember correctly. Here in Indiana, they are having it exhibition at the state meet for girls this year, with qualifying taking place at the regional meet. I coach at the college level in Indiana and would love to see the girls of this state begin vaulting so that we can recruit within our own state for a change. I have friends that coach at the high school level in this state and they have told me that there are many "old school" coaches that are just not going to be willing to allow girls to vault. As it is, there are not enough "qualified" coaches out there coaching boys either. Any girls in the Muncie, Indiana area that are interested in learning about the vault, feel free to contact me or have your coach do so. I'd be glad to do what I can to help get you started.

Welcome to the infamous BALL U!!!!!!!!!!!!

Havent heard from ya BJ.........you still gonna come over and get your butt kicked by the old man.......hehehehehehehehe........just kiddin give me a call, were gettin ready to move outside next week (if its not rainin or snowin or........well its the midwest so who knows).

As infamous as BJ is in the world of vaulting, this is not BJ. I work with the women vaulters here at Ball State. BJ is in grad school here this year and working with our guys. He has a new site if you have not seen it...www.brianjmckay.com. Take care.

OOOPS! Told BJ about this site a couple of weeks ago...........sorry bout that.

That's wierd to me his saying that. Because more often then not the girls I coach get it a lot sooner than the guys.

At our school they get a fair shot. It just became an offical event last year. Its kinda tough because none of our girls are that into it so they arnt getting very good. The real problem I guess is we dont have a coach who can get them to get into it enough.

The hardest part is practicing with 2 bungees up. Having a bungee at eye level when your planting is QUITE distracting hehe. Oh well.... that happens whenever there are beginners too.

Im all for girls vaulting. Just like the guys tho... dont do it unless your commited 100%!