How long did it take

[rainbowgirl28]

You have to hold at an appropriate level for your speed and technique. If you can't bend the pole because of where you are gripping, perhaps you need a shorter pole. If that is not an option, it won't hurt to keep straight poling. You won't accomplish anything by bending the pole and stalling out.

[keelowman]

For me this is my third year jumping and I have so many problems, (no coach) that it will take me another 20 years at this rate but all in all I am having a good time.

[KentVango]

See the thing is......I can't hold higher for my 3 step when i am drilling so what if I started doing my drills from the 5 step and moved up the pole........there is a point on my pole where if i go any higher at my 3 step my jump is slow and I usually stall out in the middle of the jump......

[ctvaulter]

4 years and i still cant get my feet above my hips!

[monopoly00]

I am on my 3rd year. I am a freshman right now. Whenever I vault and try to get vertical, it looks like I am sitting in a rocking chair in mid-air.

[KentVango]

I am having no problem getting verticle but I am also not bending my pole when i do it.....

[frozensteele]

I can't bend the pole yet but there are two main reasons for that. First, I've only been vauklting for about 3-4 weeks. Second the pole I have to use is way too tall! However, my coach says I am making good progress on inversion. Obviously I'm not there yet, not even close. It seems like everyone here got their pole to bend before they could get inverted but my coach teaches inversion as the core of vaulting so I guess I will develop that before other parts of the technique come to me.

[vaulter580]

i dont think that there have been many peeps that can say they fully have every aspect of the vault down pat,...............but when you can do a flying squirrel, you are pretty close!!!

it took me about 4 years to perfect the move we call the flying squirrel

it is where you let go of the pole early like bubka, and as you go over the bar you reach back and grab both feet with your hands and hold it until right before you land...........(its a real crowd pleaser)

[Fo_Sheezy]

I've been vaulting for 3 years and I still can't get inverted! My form (minus the lack of inversion) is really good and I do bend the pole. Its frusturating for me because I am so unflexible and not gymnastic!

[BrandoAZ]

4 years and Im getting CLOSE to hitting the above the top of my pole point. For me thats the big barrier. Thats when you've gotten to bend... then gotten to the stage where your stuck as someone said in the 'chair' then there is the all famous.. totally vertical but your head is still looking upwards.. im still mostly stuck in that place but Im slowly getting more regular and closer to hitting 14' on a 13'6" pole. It does take a while just dont rush it. The most improtant part is a good coach if you want to learn quickly but thats not the case for a lot of vaulters so we do what we can and get beaten by those who do (college its different unless your in the tiny schools who dont pay for coaches!)

[bellvaulter24]

i've been vaulting for about 4 years and im just now starting to bring my hips above my shoulders.... all i took for me was to get on the right pole... i'd been struggling a lot b/c im pretty small and its hard to find the right pole but once i found it i started improving

[polevaultninja]

It's my third year with a coach, and I'm finally getting "good"