The Run

[altius]

Is it bad that i only take 5 lefts at 79' and jump 15'. Im really fast with or without a pole and it seem if i move back, my speed would be useless because i couldn't control it.

Two things. First if the photo represents your grip, you should should take it in 30cms immediately!! A grip that wide will prevent you maxing pole/ground angle and tend to pull you flat at take off.

However -depending on your age and experience 15' off 10 is pretty good. Note however that Steve Hooker jumped 5.40 off 10 last year at age 23 - and he is only an Australian!

Secondly there is no reason why you cannot go to 16 or even 18 steps IF you are prepared to do the work needed to build a structured run up. You should then be jumping 16' or higher not - only - and i mean only - 15' unless you are a girl of course! sorry I got carried away by the emoticons.

[CHC04Vault]

Is it bad that i only take 5 lefts at 79' and jump 15'. Im really fast with or without a pole and it seem if i move back, my speed would be useless because i couldn't control it.

Two things. First if the photo represents your grip, you should should take it in 30cms immediately!! A grip that wide will prevent you maxing pole/ground angle and tend to pull you flat at take off.

Hehe, that pic is me my first meet ever bending the pole, i dont jump like that nemore, and i kinda wonder how i was even able to get somewhat inverted. Good observation though And we all love emoticons

[Redneck]

I tried moving back but i always messed up my steps now i put my mark at 5 lefts and then back up and make sure my foot hits the mark on my run up

[C-townvault]

Is it bad that i only take 5 lefts at 79' and jump 15'. Im really fast with or without a pole and it seem if i move back, my speed would be useless because i couldn't control it.

That doesn't seem quite possible to have a 5 left approach of 79'. Using DJ's chart, a 6 stride mark of 59' (2 left to hit) and a stride length of 7'4" would put you at 73' 8", short of the 79'. Also those stats are for a vaulter who runs 9.9 mps and can vault 21' or 6.40m. Maybe you are running more than you realize?

[Mecham]

I am at 7 lefts running from 86ish. depending on the day.

[SlickVT]

I just recently moved to 9 lefts for the first time in my life.

Anyone that knows me will tell you that I am not a very fast vaulter on the runway, and 9 is perfect for me right now.

I don't hit top speed until right before my plant.

I slowly ease into the run, check my third left, slowly build the next three and then plant and I'm off. My mid is consistent within 4 inches every time.

Its very consistent and relaxed but the longer speed build-up in the run has increased my runway speed by 8-10% (Relative to my 8-left approach, based on frame by frame analysis by our coach)

My three cents...

[VTechVaulter]

79 for 5 lefts??? thats insane. mines 76' and i am 6'5 with 10.8 hundred meter speed. what are you built like

also in terms of competion. my most effective run is 8 lefts, 16 strides from 125' with a 56'3 mid and a 13' take off. god i would kill for 13'4.

just for reference
my 6 lefts is 93'
and 7 lefts is 109'

[rainbowgirl28]

Is it bad that i only take 5 lefts at 79' and jump 15'. Im really fast with or without a pole and it seem if i move back, my speed would be useless because i couldn't control it.

That doesn't seem quite possible to have a 5 left approach of 79'. Using DJ's chart, a 6 stride mark of 59' (2 left to hit) and a stride length of 7'4" would put you at 73' 8", short of the 79'. Also those stats are for a vaulter who runs 9.9 mps and can vault 21' or 6.40m. Maybe you are running more than you realize?

Maybe they have a skipping or walking start?

[CHC04Vault]

Is it bad that i only take 5 lefts at 79' and jump 15'. Im really fast with or without a pole and it seem if i move back, my speed would be useless because i couldn't control it.

That doesn't seem quite possible to have a 5 left approach of 79'. Using DJ's chart, a 6 stride mark of 59' (2 left to hit) and a stride length of 7'4" would put you at 73' 8", short of the 79'. Also those stats are for a vaulter who runs 9.9 mps and can vault 21' or 6.40m. Maybe you are running more than you realize?

Maybe they have a skipping or walking start?

Yeah, i do a lil fairy hop my first step, but i never go over 5 or 6 strides because usually i am being run into the ground so i try to keep everything short.

[altius]

A 'FAIRY HOP" - what is the world of pole vaulting coming to?

Now why make life more difficult than it already is? Your fairy hop introduces a variable you do not need; because you cannot guarantee how far your 'little fairy hop' will be every time you do it. Get a friend to watch you to see how much that varies each time you do it. That variation, if only 10 cms, may carry on through the run up and affect your take off. You never saw Bubka do a .

"The pole vault begins with the first step". Now who said that?

[chodini]

when you are calculating your stride, you cant forget the distance that you take off from the box, 11-12 ft from the box makes a big difference per stride.

and about that fairy hop- what is a fairy hop? i do a little jumpy thing before i run, but i dont leave the ground and it helps me pump up my calves.

[altius]

Chodini -If you want to make your calves look bigger - do what Bill Cosby did when he competed in the high jump -he wore several pairs of socks!