Not my vaulter, but....

[Run2Niels]

...what the heck is the difference between the first and the second jump.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxSTi2d7k3Y

I made this video last weekend during the national championships for multi-events and this 20 year old decathlete is showing incredible skill at the polevault.

We had a discussion afterwards about what he did better during the second jump. I really don't see it , and his coach was busy.

What I did notice was a double leg swing throught the chord of the pole!
I teach my athletes to keep the knee drive during the upswing, because one long (trail)leg is hard enough

[kat_vaulter]

His plant was a lot better- not good but better. Watch his body position at take off. His second one he is able to drive more before his hips get sucked up to the pole. Hope this helps.

[BethelPV]

I would claim just the opposite of what Kat Vaulter said. On the first vault he actually had a better postural alignment at takeoff, causing the pole to rotate into the pit a lot faster and he blew through hitting the bar on the way up. On his second jump, he first doesn't have his plant all the way up, he is a bit more under, and is leaning backwards slightly. This caused him to go to his back and swing right off the ground, which stalled some of his pole rotation and made him have a better shot at the bar...

First take off was better, which made the pole too small and gave him no chance. Second takeoff was weaker and less dynamic, which slowed down the pole and allowed him to make the bar!

Overall good jumps, especially for Decathlete!

[sooch90]

he gets into a pretty awesome position despite his double leg swing, but I'm pretty sure that's a whole different discussion.

Yeah, I agree with Bethel in that he looks more under on the second jump, allowing him to not blow through as much, which seemed to prevent him from making it the first time.

Maybe time for a slightly bigger pole?

[achtungpv]

His first take off is much better and he jumps over his grip. That's the only reason he misses. On his second jump he's pretty far under and doesn't over jump his grip as badly leaving him an opportunity to clear the bar.

[golfdane]

First takeoff is better. However, he does not retain any tuck in his right leg, and thereby slows the roll towards the pole (and up). He peaks after the bar.

Second attempt is under. He keeps the right leg slightly more bent (but not tucked completely), thereby speeding up rotation around top hand by a notch, allowing him to complete the roll-up in time (he peaks above bar).

I totally love your slow-mo videos...

[Run2Niels]

Nice to see most of you think his first jump is better than the second jump.

The other "discussion" about the double leg swing is also interesting. When I asked his coach (the national polevault coach of the Netherlands) he said it doesn't matter that he makes a double leg swing. He told me that he has very strong abdominal muscles.

In the book Beginner to Bubka (to me it is the polevault bible ), the authors state that a double leg swing is too slow and you will never be in time to fully cover the pole and make use of the recoil.

What are your thoughts about this?

[altius]

Niels - Suggest you get the new version of BTB - the whole question of the double leg swing is examined in much greater detail.

[Run2Niels]

My copy of the new version came in yesterday! When I come home after a hard day of working I will examine the whole question

But while you're here, Altius, what do you think about his double leg swing in the first jump? Is he on time with covering the pole?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxSTi2d7k3Y

[Run2Niels]

can't find the piece about the double leg swing. I think it's a great book, but if I have to name a disadvantage => too many pages!!! ;

[altius]

Read Chapter Seven carefully.

[Run2Niels]

Found it!
I now also believe this athlete is too late with covering the pole. But, Altius, am I right?