Jumping far over your weight

[Viola Vaulter]

My coach has recently found a 14' 170 to use in practice and competition. That is 50 lbs over my weight. I have been vaulting on a 14' 160 (gripping at the very top) and I have been blowing through it. My plant is tall and I have a very fast approach. I am just wondering if there is anything different I should be doing when using a pole that is rated that much heavier than my weight. Is my nervousness about using it reasonable or am I just over thinking it?

[dj]

good morning,

happy 2012..

this is a pretty "loaded" question.... a 10 lb move up can be big... but it also depends on what your perspective is of blowing through....

what are you jumping with a 14 foot grip???

has your coach had experience with other vaulters and these issues???

generally you would like to keep the poles in a "series"... same pole make.. 5 lbs apart... and if you are gripping the top you may be gripping over the band set for high schoolers...

good luck

dj

[vquestpvc]

Two things you should do: vault higher and transfer to my school. Pole vaulting is not about the pole, but the vaulter's capabilities!

[altius]

" Pole vaulting is not about the pole, but the vaulter's capabilities"

I would like to see you expand your views on this topic before I recommended anyone to transfer to your school!

[vquestpvc]

What i mean more specifically is that over the years of coaching the pole vault, vaulters become fixated on one pole because there has been success with that pole. And so, when it becomes necessary to move to a different pole for greater results, some vaulters have expressed apprehension which in turn effects their vaulting; mostly psychological. So, I was merely suggesting to this individual to embrace your "capabilities" to move to a bigger pole. Already vaulting on a pole 40lbs over their weight (the 14' - 160) suggests some "capabilities" (I'm assuming that this individual isn't jumping on a pole 40lbs above weight because that is the only pole the school has to use). As a pole vault coach, who wouldn't want this "problem"? Any recommendation you could make would be greatly appreciated.