Another Pole Progression question

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Vault101 Boy
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Another Pole Progression question

Unread postby Vault101 Boy » Tue Dec 13, 2011 1:05 am

've looked at the Skyjumper chart with the poles and for the most part I understand what all is being shown
My question is when looking at a particular row of poles, what grip height is being considered (i.e. when you move from a 12' 150 to a 12'6 140, is the imaginary jumper holding at the top for both or keeping the grip from the 12' to maintain relative stiffness?)

Now really my question is on the pole chart but if anyone is willing to tackle my personal predicament keep reading:
Was at a meet this weekend, they were weighing and i came in at 152.3, they rounded up to 153 and took my 3 150 lb poles, i ended up having to use a 13'6 170 for first time and meet was mentally taxing as my comfort level was ravaged. I can easily loose the 5 lbs to get back on the poles, but if ever this happened again i need to have some alternatives.
Heres my current pole repertoire:
Poles that I typically use with the closest left that does not overbend, usually i hold from about 6'' to 1' from the top.
13'6 150 - 3rd left (grip around 13' still overbend, 4th left will put me about a foot away from the back edge of the mat)
13'6 170 - I was holding at the top and my approach was a 6th left, standards were slammed all the way back and still not quite enough)
14' 150 - last time i used it i was holding about 13' from a 5th left and a tad too much bend, but definitely still useable
14' 155 - R.I.P. I broke it yesterday holding at the top from a 6th left. (it was a somewhat older '98 skypole)
14' 160 - havent jumped on these yet, was going to try them out wednesday and see what happens
14'6 150 - hold around 13'6 to 14' from a 6th and definitely does not overbend, works great imo.

As of now im trying to figure out the best poles to clear 14' - 14'6 with the eventual idea to find a pole to get me over 15' during the summer, after i've trained during indoor and outdoor season. Would getting a 14'6 155/160 be a better option to a 15' 145 and trying to figure out how to lose weight (this is what the pole chart seems to indicate as my only option)?? Also, in the event of a 15' 150 carbon weave, fx, etc. how different are they from Pacer FX's, and should i even bother with trying to get on one.

Thanks for the help

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rainbowgirl28
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Re: Another Pole Progression question

Unread postby rainbowgirl28 » Tue Dec 13, 2011 12:11 pm

Vault101 Boy wrote:'ve looked at the Skyjumper chart with the poles and for the most part I understand what all is being shown
My question is when looking at a particular row of poles, what grip height is being considered (i.e. when you move from a 12' 150 to a 12'6 140, is the imaginary jumper holding at the top for both or keeping the grip from the 12' to maintain relative stiffness?)


Holding 12' on both.




Now really my question is on the pole chart but if anyone is willing to tackle my personal predicament keep reading:
Was at a meet this weekend, they were weighing and i came in at 152.3, they rounded up to 153 and took my 3 150 lb poles, i ended up having to use a 13'6 170 for first time and meet was mentally taxing as my comfort level was ravaged. I can easily loose the 5 lbs to get back on the poles, but if ever this happened again i need to have some alternatives.
Heres my current pole repertoire:
Poles that I typically use with the closest left that does not overbend, usually i hold from about 6'' to 1' from the top.
13'6 150 - 3rd left (grip around 13' still overbend, 4th left will put me about a foot away from the back edge of the mat)
13'6 170 - I was holding at the top and my approach was a 6th left, standards were slammed all the way back and still not quite enough)
14' 150 - last time i used it i was holding about 13' from a 5th left and a tad too much bend, but definitely still useable
14' 155 - R.I.P. I broke it yesterday holding at the top from a 6th left. (it was a somewhat older '98 skypole)
14' 160 - havent jumped on these yet, was going to try them out wednesday and see what happens
14'6 150 - hold around 13'6 to 14' from a 6th and definitely does not overbend, works great imo.

As of now im trying to figure out the best poles to clear 14' - 14'6 with the eventual idea to find a pole to get me over 15' during the summer, after i've trained during indoor and outdoor season. Would getting a 14'6 155/160 be a better option to a 15' 145 and trying to figure out how to lose weight (this is what the pole chart seems to indicate as my only option)?? Also, in the event of a 15' 150 carbon weave, fx, etc. how different are they from Pacer FX's, and should i even bother with trying to get on one.

Thanks for the help


If you're landing deep in the pit with the 13'6 170, you shouldn't have trouble getting on the 14'160.

It sounds like you don't need to worry about losing weight, you just flat out need bigger poles. If you're really landing in the middle of the pit with the 14' grip on the 14'6 150, then I would get a 14'6 160 next. That is a much better option than getting a 15' pole under your weight. Don't waste your money on carbon poles. You are better off getting more fiberglass poles and having the right SIZE pole. You won't jump any higher on carbon than on fiberglass, but you will jump higher if you have the right size available.

Vault101 Boy
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Posts: 57
Joined: Wed Aug 24, 2011 9:46 pm
Expertise: High School Vaulter
Lifetime Best: 14'6
World Record Holder?: Renaud Lavillenie
Favorite Vaulter: Brad Walker

Re: Another Pole Progression question

Unread postby Vault101 Boy » Tue Dec 13, 2011 2:51 pm

So should i attempt to top the 14'6 150 that im on and if it overbends get a 14'6 160 that i would top? I havent bothered with a 7th left yet but it would probably add a lot more speed into the vault (obviously). My goal by the end of summer is to have gotten 15' so i can do track in college, so any 15' poles arent going to be needed until 6 months from now. Would a pacer fx 15' 150 and a pacer fx 14'6 160 be logical choices or should i hold off on the 15' and definitely get the 14'6 160?


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