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I have the chart of progression, but the situation I have is odd. One of my vaulters is about 145 and is now on a 14' 145 (was on 14' 140), he holds down 1'6" on both because he over bends when holding higher and gets no penetration. Holding a bit down, he still bends a bunch but still is shallow (50cm). The next pole is a 14' 165 so i have to order one or two for him. I know the 14' 150 and 155 would be next but is his grip making a difference? What poles would be best next for him? (Of course he needs to get upside down better, but holding 18 inches down is confusing the heck out of me). Any help would be great.

Another kid has the same problem, has to hold almost 2' down on a 13'6" 140 or a 14' 140 (barely gets in on that one).

Any ideas for poles???

If he is bending the pole a lot and barely making it in the pit, try lowering his grip more. It will stiffen the pole a little, and increase his pole speed(he'll get deeper into the pit).

Right. I have been doing that, I was just wondering how low is too low (or is that not possible) to hold on the pole? If someone has to hold down 2', to not over bend and to get into the pit, should they be on a different pole (length? weight?) Thanks for the response, I will keep doing that, another few inches will help I bet.

According to UCS, the best grip zone for the top hand is somewhere between 3 inches from the top to 1ft 8 inches so between 3-20inches from the top. so you could do 2 feet but its starting to get to the point where his bottom hand maybe on the sail piece. Personally I would start watching their take off to see if the are really low and just sitting or are they active and tall. Hope this helps.

Ahh thanks. Does holding 18-20ish inches down on the pole call for a different pole, or just better technique? (technique right?) If they take off tall and active and hold the plant better (and not go to their backs) do they move their hands up on the pole (same pole), or move to a bigger pole (as smaller pole will overbend?) and start low and move the grip up?

So in other words: Will the low and flat takeoff force the over bend and lack of penetration while a tall and active take off results in better penetration and not as much over bend?

A shorter pole would be better, but I am sure you have very limited funds to work with. You need to buy poles that will make a good series over the next couple years, not just for this vaulter.

This particular kid might do better with a 13'165, but since you have two 14' poles, I would order the next 14' pole to fit the series best.

Ideally he'd be gripping closer to the top, but you have to work with the equipment available. The better you get his takeoff, the bigger the pole he will be able to get on.

Patybobady wrote:

Ahh thanks. Does holding 18-20ish inches down on the pole call for a different pole, or just better technique? (technique right?) If they take off tall and active and hold the plant better (and not go to their backs) do they move their hands up on the pole (same pole), or move to a bigger pole (as smaller pole will overbend?) and start low and move the grip up?

So in other words: Will the low and flat takeoff force the over bend and lack of penetration while a tall and active take off results in better penetration and not as much over bend?

yes, a low takeoff creates a hugebend with no penetration and a greater chance of breaking the pole and a tall plant does exactly what you think. if he starts getting tall, and not go to his back, while starting to really penetrate, you can slowly(one grip at a time) move his hands up the stick, once he is within a foot of the top of the pole then move up to the next stick matching hand grip IMO.

if you can, get him on a hevier pole