baggettpv wrote:How can you get a takeoff angle for Beginners to intermediate athletes? Yes there needs to be an angle! So if you find a kid thats at 10 degree's what then?
I use an activity on pole plants where the athlete does a pole plant on the track (6 left approach, regular grip) with a jumping takeoff and you record the distance past the pole tip (where it contacts the track) that they land on their right foot. SImple, the farther the better (NO SLIDING BOX!). If they a better then advance them out to their regular run length and do the same activity. It MUST be a positive number that is jumping past the tip.
Rick, your drill is a good one. I used it during warmups on the Astroturf at Husky Stadium - a little softer than the track. I did it only as a warmup tho. I didn't measure the distance jumped. And my technique was compromised a bit. If I used my proper forward lean during this drill, I wouldn't land on my feet. It's also a bit dangerous to jump for distance this way, without a soft landing.
A big problem in learning/coaching the takeoff is that you can't really tell from watching (or doing) a competitive vault how much the vaulter is jumping off the ground, and at what angle. Once the pole hits the back of the box and the vaulter begins to swing, the takeoff angle and velocity is "hidden".
So I have an idea for a new drill that might be a bit safer, and might also have a fun competitive component to it. And most importantly, it will allow the vaulter and coach to measure and identify exactly how good the takeoff is, and at what angle.
I've never tried this, so I'm hoping that someone might be willing to experiment with it, and report back whether it's a good drill or not.
The Bryde Jump DrillThe primary objective of this drill (or competition) is to determine how far and how high you're jumping on takeoff. A secondary objective is to determine your takeoff angle. By comparing one vaulter to another, or one jump to another (for the same vaulter), you can tell if you need to focus on improving your takeoff Jump. Over time, this drill will also show your jumping improvement - accurately measured in height and distance.
1. Set the standards at 0, and set a bungee cord at about the grip height of the shortest vaulter in the group. 2.00m to 2.20m?
2. Mark off takeoff points 0.50m apart on the runway - from about 2.00m to about 5.00m - depending on the skill levels of the vaulters in the group.
3. Start with a short run - say 3 or 4 lefts.
4. Holding your arms as if you're running with a pole, run up to the takeoff point, [do a fake plant,] jump, and try to touch the bungee with your top hand.
5. Record your attempt, and try again, moving your takeoff point and bar height back and up according to what you're capable of.
6. LJ rules apply for the horizontal component, so your jump is disqualified if you step over the toe-line. But you're still behind the toe-line that's 0.50m in front of that, so maybe you can record a successful jump from that takeoff point.
7. PV/HJ rules apply for the vertical component, but you don't have to clear the bar - you just have to touch it. Raise the bar in 0.05m to 0.10m increments.
8. Once you get the hang of it from a short run, move the run progressively back, all the way to a competitive vault length of run. You will of course move your takeoff point and bar height accordingly.
9. One variation of this is to carry a one meter length of pole (from a broken pole). You must hold it at the top, with your normal hand spread. But a pole might be dangerous in the landing, so maybe try something softer. A pool noodle might do, but it's a little thicker than a pole. You can get a length of pipe insulator from a plumbing store - the kind that you wrap around copper pipes in a crawl space. You should tape the entire length of it, to make it a bit more solid. Any of these props would enforce a more correct pole carry while you run/plant/jump during this drill.
BTW, the "soft pole" can be used in ANY sprinting drill - to get used to running with your arms in the proper pole-carry position - without having to carry a big pole.
10. You can calculate your takeoff angle by the video/transparceny method that Rick described. I suggest you stick a piece of tape to the side of your shirt, at your belly-button level, and put a dot on it with a felt pen. This will pinpoint your CoG (Center of Gravity) on the video footage, and improve the accuracy of your takeoff angle calculations on the transparency.
Don't forget that 18° is only an optimal angle calculated by Lanthorne for world-class vaulters. Your optimal takeoff angle might be ±5-10° from this. The exact angle isn't as important as knowing what it is, and knowing if you should strive for something slightly higher or lower. You'll discover that by doing this drill.
If anybody is willing and able to try this, please report back your findings. I'm interested to hear if this is a good drill/competition or not!
Kirk
