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I was wondering what people's (especially coach's) experiences were with using a gymnastic's springboard n practice?

I am getting access to a springboard to help my vaulter into a better position at take-off. He has had difficulty with a plant that is consistently a foot under as well as being unable to extend his bottom (Left) arm upwards and is a heavy "fiberhead" vaulter.

This kid is tremendously strong and can recover from this poor position because of an amazing swing and has cleared 14 feet holding at 13'4".

Please let me know any experiences (good or bad) and whether you think a springboard could help train his muscle memory and improve his step?

Thank you.

ifavault
www.inflightathletics.com

try tossing a takeoff mark out on the runway, and if that doesnt work, upgrade from tape or a chalk mark to something he wouldnt want to step on (like a favorite shirt or hat or something, i dunno)

How is his running form? Does he stride out at the end of his run? Try to have him stay tall, pick his knees up throughout the plant and runthrough to takeoff. Also, pole runs w/ or w/o a slide box and tape measure helps a ton.

And, to answer your original question. I don't think that sounds very safe.

You can also try to fix the left by having him stand at his takeoff mark with hands extended, in proper plant and takeoff position. Then, you get behind him and push him up. Have him hold the takeoff position, then push him into the mats. Tell him to keep both arms pressed upward, creating space between his head and hands. Also, tell him to get his drive knee up and that same toe up so he can get comfortable with the correct position. .

These are just a couple of things that has worked for me. Good Luck

His run is quite literally picture perfect with good form. Just seems to have a mental block about leaving the ground anywhere outside of 9' 3".

His push-plants are great, but I can tell you there is a large difference between practicing push-plants when you push the pole compared to performing all of the mechanics involved with a pole plant from a carry position and running, so it doesn't seem to be transferring real well.

Slide boxes look good too.

Regarding the springboard...I've used it for myself on several occasions and found it helpful on short approaches where you can hold at competition heights, but from only four to five lefts, so I thought the repetition might help in this case and give him the "lift" I think he lacks at take off.

I have tried the towel on the runway that he has to jump behind with a short pole so far and I think that shows some possibilities...I just hope it transfers to the longer run and higher grip height.

Any more thoughts would be appreciated.

ifavault
www.inflightathletics.com

Has he long jumped in any meets yet? That might help.

I've used a spring board in college. I don't think it was too usefull. We used it to get on the next poles. The towel works well for some people myself incuded. There isn't an easy fix b/c he is so used to and comfortable with that take off. I ve been able to improve this in my own vault from 4 left vaults and a piece of tape on the run way. and slowly work on back to five lefts 6,7 so on. Slow process though.