pole vaulting and your character

[ennairb]

Hey Guys!

I was recently asked this question by one of my really intellectual teachers who looks really far into things lol ...

How has pole vaulting helped to develop your character?

It got me thinking and so I was just wondering if any of you guys had like any personal experiences with pole vaulting that have helped to develop your overall character? Would love to hear

[frozensteele]

Personally, it has made me alot less cautious about trying things I am not familiar with. I have always been outgoing and liked trying new things but pole vaulting forced me to leave all of my worries at the beginning of the runway and just go all out all the time!

[OAKPV2004]

Pole vaulting has changed my personallity to go Balls to the Wall at everything i want to do good at, I think it has given me an edge in adrenaline. like in boxing, or weightlifting, or any crazy type of sport. I dont care bout getting rejected, if it even happens. haha

Bottom line: I learned to use lots of my bodies testosterone.

[lonestar]

It has helped me to become more of a problem solver, by analyzing problems, developing solutions to those problems, and then applying those solutions. If the solution didn't work, back to the drawing board and try again. It has stopped me from just jumping to hurried conclusions and instead made me more analytical.

[~jj~]

Five Personality traits (attitudes) that yield success in pole vaulting
By Jan Johnson
www.skyjumpers.com

1. Positive attitude..... Enjoys competing! Enjoys the people he or she trains with. Is self reliant, yet accepts coaching and criticism in a positive way. Likes to both work and play. Likes to pole vault, and wants to improve. Dreams big dreams and is honest with him or her self and others.
2. Enjoys challenges...... Tough minded, confident, honest, and not worried about failure. Gets fired up on meet day.
3. Courage..... Is an expert at risk management in pole vaulting, Not afraid to take calculated risks, Avoids un-necessary risks. Is seldom scared because he or she so thoroughly believes in "the system".
4. Patience....An honorable, steady, regular worker, that likes to come to practice. Sets attainable goals and then works gradually toward them. Knows when its time to rest. Does not try to jump high everyday in practice. Seeks a positive, stable environment in which to grow and develop. Understands that pole vaulting is a progression, and it takes time to get good at it. Accepts set backs with dignity, and resolve.
5. Likes to solve problems.....Very important! Understands how to make the proper adjustments regarding pole stiffness, grip height, step and standard settings. Is Level headed under pressure. Enjoys figuring things out. Leaves nothing to chance.

[ashcraftpv]

well, i can definitley say that it has made me a "character"........

but seriously, the vault has helped define my work ethic(along with my HS coach cracking the whip) and my sense of pride. I carry these qualities over into everything I do in life.

[~jj~]

That is such a good message! I seriously think that the pole vault is the perfect medium to teach those lessons to high school kids. To me, they seem far more important than how high they jump.
Vaulting taught me respect, and work ethic, but most importantly, how to manage risk. Lessons such as: Higher grip= more risk, smaller pit= more risk, Rainy day= more risk, ...those kids of things....you know!
I can think of no other sport that teaches it so well.... If done properly pole vaulting is the best at giving that lesson. I keep tellig the HS Federation that message, and they seem to hear it.

~jan~

[Lord of the Poles]

Pole vaulting has defintely made me my sense of pride...something I had very little of before then. I jump for myself...I don't pay attention to my competition and I only try to make myself better. if that wins me a meet, then WOOHOO...but otherwise, it doesn't matter.

[~jj~]

Agree!!!
Thats what is cool about vaulting. You compete against yourself, and the bar, with your friends. Ya can have fun at 8' or 18'. How much fun you have, and how good you feel about your performance, is just a by-product of your attitude, and the people around you.
For me, my most fun experiences vaulting were those days just hanging out with my friends, playing on our make-shift equipment, in my backyard, in Illinois.
Low key fun!
In reality, all I have done here at our club, is simply provide that kind of enviornment.
~jan~

[batvaulter]

pole vault has chaged my life and my character.


you can give a strainger 1000 times to jump 15ft and he/she will not do it but if u give a person 1000 times to hit a pitch at 90mph fast ball he/she will eventully hit the ball at least once.

always be humble to thoughts vaulters that are having trouble getting better.

[~jj~]

To be good at the pole vault you must be a good athlete. The well-rounded type, who can do almost anything. You must also have the: "I can do that attitude". To be really good, your strenght for body weight ratio is of course the prime qualifyer. Its you power that provides the energy to go high. Everything after that is about your equipment and know-how.
~jan~

[jmayesvaultmom]

How do you figure the strength per body weight ratio? And what is considered good .... for a girl?