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Dose any one know the rules on grip tape on poles?

It can't be thicker than two tapes. ( don't know if you can say that, i speak french, sorry).

Here are the applicable NFHS Rules. Both are from Section 7-5.


ART. 2... The vaulting pole may be of any material and of any length and diameter. It may have a binding of not more than two layers of adhesive tape of uniform thickness. However, the bottom of the pole may be protected by several layers of tape, PVC, metal, sponge rubber or other suitable material to protect it when placed in the planting box.

ART. 5... Prior to warm-up, the field referee, head field judge or assigned inspector of implements shall inspect each pole to be used in the competition to verify that the poles are legal equipment as per Rule 7-4-3. This includes checking the placement of a top hand-hold band, numerical pole ratings a minimum of 3/4 inches in a contrasting color located within or above the top hand-hold band, and the proper binding of not more than two layers of adhesive tape of uniform thickness. The binding shall not be on or above the top hand-hold band.

vaulter870 wrote:Dose any one know the rules on grip tape on poles?

I hope your not reffering to grip tape- like on skate boards!

What about "sticky" on the tape? Back in my day we had Firm Grip and Tuff Skin. Is that stuff still around and is it legal? Later.......Mike

I was watching the footage of the past olympic women vaulters. It looked like Isinbayeva had black sticky stuff at her grip. I guess this is allowed in the olympics??

You can always identify the gymnasts (or ex-gymnasts) at a pole vault event by the bags of white chaulk they bring with them to put on their hands and/or grip tape.

I use chalk sometimes and I've never done any gymnastics.

im an ex gymnast and i need chalk 24/7, it goes w/ me in my vault bag.

haha same here but i never did gymnastics i just love chalk its fun to play with.

Yes, im not a gymnast, but i cant live without chalk. goes on my hands before every jump, then somehow gets crushed all over the floor the rest of the time.. im known for making a huge mess with the chalk

The rules that I know about (NFHS, NCAA, USATF, IAAF) all permit sticky spray, rosin, chalk, and stuff like that. Also, there's no definition regarding tape, so black friction tape and reverse-taped duct tape are legal. Let's face it, if your grip is too sticky, it increases the liklihood that the pole will fall into the bar (unless you are jumping higher than your pole of course). In high school I was addicted to a combination of fricton tape and firm grip. Since starting back as a masters vaulter 2 years ago, I've used black friction tape, but I've manged to resist using any sticky spray with it. The friction tape is good enough all by itself.