coach running the vault in a meet
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- patybobady
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coach running the vault in a meet
i am a new coach in h.s. in illinois. i just graduated from college ths past may and vaulted there...i know a lot of the rules and what it takes to run a meet smoothly (i think). are there any suggestions as to what i should do/not do for meets at home i will run? for simple meets i will be in charge. i am looking for suggestions for particular topics/rules i should enforce/look for and others i forgot...
the 'band' 3" below the top, or 1", i forget...is this vital, i know a lot of poles are just "carved in" the date, the weight, length, etc. what is best to do? also if i need some for my guys' poles, how do i get them?
weight of the vaulter?
time between vaults (i know it is 90 seconds, then 4 minutes when 3 or fewer vaulters, then 6 minutes when one remains)
anything else?
thanks.
the 'band' 3" below the top, or 1", i forget...is this vital, i know a lot of poles are just "carved in" the date, the weight, length, etc. what is best to do? also if i need some for my guys' poles, how do i get them?
weight of the vaulter?
time between vaults (i know it is 90 seconds, then 4 minutes when 3 or fewer vaulters, then 6 minutes when one remains)
anything else?
thanks.
Fight the good fight: It's nice to be great but it's far greater to be nice.
- rainbowgirl28
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- patybobady
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thanks, yea i have the rule book (i got certified from pvscb.com) and have memorized it as best as possible. i've been looking at as much information as possible on the web and on the sites for vaulting...i will have to focus on the other events too. i guess experiencing it first hand will be the best teaching tool. thanks for the advice.
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- distancejumper
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- lonestar
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Some officials will argue that every rule is vital. As a certified official myself who has run off several meets, I feel that if you enforce the basics, you don't need to hit every little detailed rule unless they become a problem, and you absolutely MUST be consistent in your enforcement of the rules otherwise coaches will be in your face. Typically there's only one official and too many people to check everyone's weight, pole, grip, taping, etc...
On handhold bands, taping, and weight rating rules, I briefly mention them during the vaulter's meeting, and tell them I'm not going to check every one beforehand, but if I feel they're vaulting unsafely, landing too shallow or deep, overbending, etc... then I will check and tell them to have their coach make an adjustment. Same thing with tape rules - I won't check ahead of time, but if I see it and it's blatantly in violation, I'll call them out on it.
Be specific about pole catching. Some coaches and teammates like to dive in there and grab the pole out of their hand before they've even let go. Either designate one worker to catch poles, or tell them that whoever they have catching it has to stand beyond the front buns and can't touch the pole unless it's falling backwards towards the runway, or it's a miss.
Time management is crucial. Have workers setting the standards for them, get their standard placements ahead of time, and have the person on deck waiting next to the runway to go as the person up is going. Make sure they can hear you when you call the order.
The other issue you want to have a plan for and tell everyone during the meeting is kids going off to do other events. Talk to the games committee (probably your head coach) and establish a policy, such as no more than 5 minutes waiting if they're the last one at the height and everyone else is out or has moved on. Make sure they let you know when they're leaving.
On handhold bands, taping, and weight rating rules, I briefly mention them during the vaulter's meeting, and tell them I'm not going to check every one beforehand, but if I feel they're vaulting unsafely, landing too shallow or deep, overbending, etc... then I will check and tell them to have their coach make an adjustment. Same thing with tape rules - I won't check ahead of time, but if I see it and it's blatantly in violation, I'll call them out on it.
Be specific about pole catching. Some coaches and teammates like to dive in there and grab the pole out of their hand before they've even let go. Either designate one worker to catch poles, or tell them that whoever they have catching it has to stand beyond the front buns and can't touch the pole unless it's falling backwards towards the runway, or it's a miss.
Time management is crucial. Have workers setting the standards for them, get their standard placements ahead of time, and have the person on deck waiting next to the runway to go as the person up is going. Make sure they can hear you when you call the order.
The other issue you want to have a plan for and tell everyone during the meeting is kids going off to do other events. Talk to the games committee (probably your head coach) and establish a policy, such as no more than 5 minutes waiting if they're the last one at the height and everyone else is out or has moved on. Make sure they let you know when they're leaving.
Any scientist who can't explain to an eight-year-old what he is doing is a charlatan. K Vonnegut
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Seek out and join a Track and Field officials organization in your area. It could be a USATF chapter or an NFHS chapter. That's your best bet to learn how to conduct an event that runs smoothly and safely.
Don't compromise a jumpers safety. Check all the equipment and that includes properly positioned pads, common top covers, minimum pad size, plant box collars, properly installed and padded standards including zeroing them before starting. Bars that are the correct length and not already damaged.
I totally disagree with Lonestar... Check each pole for the NFHS requirement for weight information and hand hold band placement. Taping is a nit to check but do it at the same time you check the weight rating. Toss out any improperly marked pole. NF used to have a procedure on how to add a hand hold band and weight label on the "old" poles. That goes back to maybe 1995. It was removed from the books as time went on because the "old" pole inventory had dwindled. I can't think of a manufacturer now that does not have the correct markings on their poles. Regardless you still see these old poles from time to time, and they can be updated to conform should you take the time to do it. If not, their coach has to do it but you will have to show them how.
Your state should have guidelines on how to perform a competitor weight vs pole rating check. Find out what that is so you can use it. Don't skip this step unless you are quite wealthy and don't mind a possible lawsuit.
You have to know the rules well. You have to know how to call competitors up using 5-alive if need be. You have to know how to score out the results and break ties at all places. You have to know how to run a tie breaker if that arises.
You can't do this alone! You need assistants to put the bar up and position statndards. Make sure the home coach knows you need help so he can line up some bodies. It takes about 30 seconds to train someone to work the standards, but unless you want to be the last one home or have no one inf the stands watching your jumpers compete, you'll insist on some help.
There is an "officials" link off of USATF.ORG has quite a few PDF documents to learn stuff for both vertical jumps and all codes. It's worth the trouble to print a copy and read it.
good luck, I'm sure you will do well
Don't compromise a jumpers safety. Check all the equipment and that includes properly positioned pads, common top covers, minimum pad size, plant box collars, properly installed and padded standards including zeroing them before starting. Bars that are the correct length and not already damaged.
I totally disagree with Lonestar... Check each pole for the NFHS requirement for weight information and hand hold band placement. Taping is a nit to check but do it at the same time you check the weight rating. Toss out any improperly marked pole. NF used to have a procedure on how to add a hand hold band and weight label on the "old" poles. That goes back to maybe 1995. It was removed from the books as time went on because the "old" pole inventory had dwindled. I can't think of a manufacturer now that does not have the correct markings on their poles. Regardless you still see these old poles from time to time, and they can be updated to conform should you take the time to do it. If not, their coach has to do it but you will have to show them how.
Your state should have guidelines on how to perform a competitor weight vs pole rating check. Find out what that is so you can use it. Don't skip this step unless you are quite wealthy and don't mind a possible lawsuit.
You have to know the rules well. You have to know how to call competitors up using 5-alive if need be. You have to know how to score out the results and break ties at all places. You have to know how to run a tie breaker if that arises.
You can't do this alone! You need assistants to put the bar up and position statndards. Make sure the home coach knows you need help so he can line up some bodies. It takes about 30 seconds to train someone to work the standards, but unless you want to be the last one home or have no one inf the stands watching your jumpers compete, you'll insist on some help.
There is an "officials" link off of USATF.ORG has quite a few PDF documents to learn stuff for both vertical jumps and all codes. It's worth the trouble to print a copy and read it.
good luck, I'm sure you will do well
- patybobady
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Thanks for the advice and tips everyone. It is a home meet first, and I noticed our cross bar is like a half circle. What I mean is it is flat when resting like normal, but curved like a half circle on the top... Is this legal or should I order new crossbar ends soon?
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- patybobady
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Oh and also, about the bands: several poles I used in college and ones at the high school I coach at have no band, but going up the pole near the top, have something like: 14' 165 then under it, the date and flex, etc. etched in. Those are legal right, they have the markings, just not that band.
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NF does not require the use of a crossbar with semicircular ends, but you can use it. It would be legal to use, but wouldn't hurt to spent $60 bucks or so but a pair of new bars and use this one for practice.
The pole(s) do not neet the NF marking requirements and as such cannot be used until they do. This is what we call "old" poles
You can make them conform by doing this. Validate that the length is as etched. Do not mark the pole if for any reason the length does not match. That would indicate the pole was altered (i.e. cut down).
Go out an buy a roll of 1-inch colored tape such as red or blue and wrap it around the pole so that it's bottom edge is 6" down from the top. This now becomes your hand hold band.
Above the band, place a small piece of white athletic tape, say about 3" long and with a magic marker write in 3/4" size numerals the pole rating. Don't cover the etchings with this tape.
This is exactly what the NF had published in their rule book a number of years ago and is commonly used by officials and coaches who know about it. Some states require the weight rating sticker you applied to be signed and dated by the coach, so check with your state office to be sure.
Regading saftey... Check the area surrounding your pit and pad it with 2" (min) thickness mats to cover any hard surface areas. Most of the vaulters that have been injured or killed in the past 15 years did so by falling off the side of the mats and stricking their heads on the hard surfaces surrounding the mats. I'm note sure any amount of padding would have help save the life of the PennState vaulter who tragically died a few years ago because of where and how he fell. Regardless, a box collar should be installed unless the mats surrounding the box come right to the edge of the box. Max distance from the back of the box to the pad is only 3 inches (for NF) and we all know this will open up due to shifting during the competition. Keep adjusting this during the event as needed.
The pole(s) do not neet the NF marking requirements and as such cannot be used until they do. This is what we call "old" poles
You can make them conform by doing this. Validate that the length is as etched. Do not mark the pole if for any reason the length does not match. That would indicate the pole was altered (i.e. cut down).
Go out an buy a roll of 1-inch colored tape such as red or blue and wrap it around the pole so that it's bottom edge is 6" down from the top. This now becomes your hand hold band.
Above the band, place a small piece of white athletic tape, say about 3" long and with a magic marker write in 3/4" size numerals the pole rating. Don't cover the etchings with this tape.
This is exactly what the NF had published in their rule book a number of years ago and is commonly used by officials and coaches who know about it. Some states require the weight rating sticker you applied to be signed and dated by the coach, so check with your state office to be sure.
Regading saftey... Check the area surrounding your pit and pad it with 2" (min) thickness mats to cover any hard surface areas. Most of the vaulters that have been injured or killed in the past 15 years did so by falling off the side of the mats and stricking their heads on the hard surfaces surrounding the mats. I'm note sure any amount of padding would have help save the life of the PennState vaulter who tragically died a few years ago because of where and how he fell. Regardless, a box collar should be installed unless the mats surrounding the box come right to the edge of the box. Max distance from the back of the box to the pad is only 3 inches (for NF) and we all know this will open up due to shifting during the competition. Keep adjusting this during the event as needed.
- rainbowgirl28
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I've heard of officials not accepting a pole unless the manufacturer has placed the max handhold grip on themselves.
I think the poles this most commonly effects is UCS Spirit poles. If you live in a state where the officials will not accept the coach placing a max handhold band on the pole, call Spirit and they might have some suggestions.
I think the poles this most commonly effects is UCS Spirit poles. If you live in a state where the officials will not accept the coach placing a max handhold band on the pole, call Spirit and they might have some suggestions.
- patybobady
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Well no one died, although one time I was moving a standard for someone when the girl putting the standard higher didn't tighten it and she said, 'Look out', so I cover my head with my hands, and wait...
and 7 seconds later: Bam, right on my thumb by the hand. I was like, 'Next time just catch it.' I was pretty ticked for 10 seconds because it stung...
Anyway, yes Becca it is those spirits. The other vaulter from another school had the same thing (no label just the etching). I will fix mine up the way vaultref said. Thank you.
Got suckered into running high jump too, and the vault could not start until throws were done, so we started at 6pm...everyone left.
My sophomore tied his overall PR (10'6") on a 13'6 140 pacer and he weighs about 140. If he holds 6"-1' down he mashes it a bit much and gets no penetration so he was holding 2 feet down (to get into the pit better, but his bend was pretty weak and the standards were at 45-50cm all day). We have a 14' 140 pacer and a 14' 145 spirit...Should I move him to the 14' 140 pacer but have him hold at 12'6" - 13' on it?
Any suggestions for this problem would be good. At 11' he just did not have enough height as his penetration and bend was/is weak (can't hold much lower for more penetration as it'd be impossible to bend...and holding higher for more bend means less penetration on that pole which won't work either...or would it?)
Also, I have another vaulter who is using a 13' 125 sky (blowing through), and a 12'6" 130 pacer. He also blows through this pole, big bend and real deep penetration...He made 9' and 9'6" by shooting forward and at 10' kept hitting it kicking out and at it with his butt or thighs with standards all the way back. He was holding about 9" down but holding any lower would have just pushed him in more and not up. Holding up would have reduced penetration, but 'mush' the pole too much and it would not unbend at all...Any suggestions? Shooting out and not getting upside down enough is his #1 problem though but the pole doesn't help... He weighs 120. We also have a 14'6" 120 (hold 13'6"?) sky and a 13'6" 140 pacer (near top?).
I would apprecite any and all help. Or if you want to email me, please do so at patricksheridan1@hotmail.com
Sorry for the lonnnnnnnnnnng post, just trying to figure it out and it is giving me a headache.

Anyway, yes Becca it is those spirits. The other vaulter from another school had the same thing (no label just the etching). I will fix mine up the way vaultref said. Thank you.
Got suckered into running high jump too, and the vault could not start until throws were done, so we started at 6pm...everyone left.

My sophomore tied his overall PR (10'6") on a 13'6 140 pacer and he weighs about 140. If he holds 6"-1' down he mashes it a bit much and gets no penetration so he was holding 2 feet down (to get into the pit better, but his bend was pretty weak and the standards were at 45-50cm all day). We have a 14' 140 pacer and a 14' 145 spirit...Should I move him to the 14' 140 pacer but have him hold at 12'6" - 13' on it?
Any suggestions for this problem would be good. At 11' he just did not have enough height as his penetration and bend was/is weak (can't hold much lower for more penetration as it'd be impossible to bend...and holding higher for more bend means less penetration on that pole which won't work either...or would it?)
Also, I have another vaulter who is using a 13' 125 sky (blowing through), and a 12'6" 130 pacer. He also blows through this pole, big bend and real deep penetration...He made 9' and 9'6" by shooting forward and at 10' kept hitting it kicking out and at it with his butt or thighs with standards all the way back. He was holding about 9" down but holding any lower would have just pushed him in more and not up. Holding up would have reduced penetration, but 'mush' the pole too much and it would not unbend at all...Any suggestions? Shooting out and not getting upside down enough is his #1 problem though but the pole doesn't help... He weighs 120. We also have a 14'6" 120 (hold 13'6"?) sky and a 13'6" 140 pacer (near top?).
I would apprecite any and all help. Or if you want to email me, please do so at patricksheridan1@hotmail.com
Sorry for the lonnnnnnnnnnng post, just trying to figure it out and it is giving me a headache.
Last edited by patybobady on Thu Feb 17, 2005 12:53 am, edited 1 time in total.
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