PoleVaultPower.com

personally i know visualization is a great way to improve your vault. but im wondering what other mental tricks might be of help either at home or helping your focus out on the runway. or really anything mentall during the vault. since a large portion of this sport is based on your mental game. just looking for all of your opinions. seemed like it would be a fun topic.

Clear your mind and just forget everything when your are accualy vaulting... if you try to think about doing one thing, you will just forget to do everything else.

i just use basic straight pole drills to establish my muscle memory and form, then get on the big poles and it comes together.

my biggest problme when jumping used to be over thinking everything..

Have confidence. You have to believe you can do something before you even do it. It helps to have a coach that can encourage you and sometimes convince you that you can do it, even when you dont believe it. But at home, on the runway, in the weightroom, wherever, never doubt your abilities. Mentally put yourself at a higher level of vaulting, and soon physically you will be a higher level of vaulting.

its amazing how many thoughts can go through your mind on a trip down the runway...

Here's a good mental trick that I use with my athletes....

Put the bungee up every practice. Even for warm-ups. And keep it up high! I prefer 15-17ft range depending on your vaulters. Put it ridiculously out of reach. Leave it there until you do work with it. Its simply there to get the vaulter used to a bar that is high. I leave ours at 15ft. When I bring it back down to 10ft (which would be PR's for our girls right now) it appears much lower then it really is. This builds confidence and breaks down the intimidation that a big PR jump can have...