Whats Your Weird and Unqiue Ritual(s)

[CHC04Vault]

you should also add this to the post asking if vaulters are crazy, lol. And what is up w/ppl and socks...i dont wear socks at all, its just another thing that can diract me.

[TechDragon]

Hmm, maybe I'll try some of that stuff =D

I wear ankle socks the whole day, but when the meet comes I put on long socks on my left foot. That's pretty much all I do.

[izzystikchik]

Well, seeing that i'm bout to head off to another meet in literally like 30 minutes i guess i'm getting started to do my "superstitious" stuff...

So right now i'm looking at a lot of pole vault stuff, pictures, clips, tips, advice..etc. Then i listen to my music and that sort of stuff before the meet.

Now, when time rolls around to my attempts on the run way. I make sure my hands are dry too, and i like to check my grip a few times. I kinda bend my knees and get on my toes and flex the pole like once (my coach hates it when i take to long to jump and he hates that i flex the pole) but it make me feel better knowing that the pole will bend... ...and then i take a strong deep breath and kinda tell my self the word "GO" in my head really loud....

other obsessions would be:

- My knee high sox
-making sure my spikes are tied tight and the laces aren't touching the rundway
-making sure my arm band hasn't shifted...

I had the knee high socks going in high school too!!!!!

csuvaulter
Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2005 2:03 am Post subject:
I always go to the back of the runway when I'm up third (in the hole) so I can stand to the side and visualize. Then when I get on the runway, I plant the pole in front of me, pick it up, and go. I don't like to make a big show about it or think about too much...seems to work for me since I never ever run through (not an option!). Like izzystikchik, I also have to have my spikes tight and not touching the ground. I also use chalk indoors but not outdoors.

CrossBarHOpper
Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2005 5:32 pm Post subject:
I always were High Socks that go up to my knees and I'll Run my hurdles and when I go to the polevault i change my Socks to a Specials socks that were a tad bit darker then the rest when i bought them.

Wow, i'm glad to see that i'm not the only one with these interesting habits...lol...and to answer your question about the sox, CHC04Vault, its just a thing with people i guess, i think it makes you set apart and unique. Also its easier to see the position of my legs during the vault when i go back and watch it on video tape

[VaulteRachello]

i have decided that i straightening my hair helps me jump. crazy i know, but still, i think its true. i also have to do at least one pole plant when standing at the end of the runway and i check my grip like 18 times. Also, purple gatorade. blue just doesnt cut it.

[CHC04Vault]

Yeah purple gatorade, thats all i drink during meets. I would always wear my blue shirt with my blue tie (private school) any day we had a meet.

[PVPirate26]

well, i listened to the Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack as pump-up music before my meet on fri. nite and i PRed, so now i think i will be listening to that before EVERY meet!!!!

[mcminkz05]

Rather than just standing stationary, I walk into my runway mark and then start going.. I like the feelign of having a bit of momentum to start out with, and it may seem like thatd make my run inconsistant, but I have a newly added check mark 4 strides down, so the run is very consistant now. I also like to sport the knee high socks!!

[K_Rabbit]

I will not shave in the 3 days before a meet....Ever...

[USMC Vaulter]

Does anyone else think that rituals/superstitions are a weakness?

What happens if you can't do your exact ritual, or you forget your lucky socks or something - then instead of focusing on your vault, you're freaking out. Plus it gives you an excuse for not being successful, when it doesnt have anything to do with wearing your knee high socks or special bandana or whatever. I mean, having a RUITINE is an excellent idea and it helps you mentally prepare for a task at hand - but I just dont buy in to the whole superstitious thing.

I guess I'm just no fun...

[ladyvolspvcoach]

USMC Vaulter, I call it VooDoo! I won't let my athletes do it. In practice they have a few seconds once they get on the runway to pick up the pole and get it on!! VooDoo will also set your mind-set...If you are having difficulties and are fighting any type of insecurity, the ritual will reinforce the problem not help with a solution. It's VOODOO!!!

[CHC04Vault]

I guess im onna those who isnt a prisoner of superstition, if i dont do it i just shrug and continue, but i still have rituals that make me relax easier. but i know some people are totally nuts, just look at nomar garciaparra's ritual in the batters box takes him an hour to get in there. superstitions arnt weaknesses unless u r prisoners to them

[fong520]

hah today b4 each of my jumps i yelled a loud WOOOOOOO.. i guess that kinda relaxed me some casue i was moving all over th eplace heh..