How to Train Someone to Run for the Pole Vault

The pole vault is one of those track and field sports that people watch, or see someone doing, but can't actually see them selves doing it themselves. The pole vault is a sport of finesse and dexterity. It a sport that multiple things have to come together perfectly in order to make it all happen the right way. The first thing that an athlete has to pay attention to figure out how to do is to run. This seems like a very odd thing to say, but if you've ever tried to jump over anything, you'll notice that you "stutter-step before taking off. that stutter will cause you power, speed, and is the one thing you never want to do in the pole vault.

First thing to do is make sure that the athlete understands that when they are running down that runway, they are not going to stop and jump. They will jump, but they will never stop. So start this training and understanding by starting them at the top of the runway and running as fast as they can straight through the little box on the ground. If there are mats in the way, please make sure they are moved. This run will allow them to feel what it's like to run at full speed on this runway. they need to feel the speed with nothing in the way. They need to feel what it's like to push their legs and muscles as fast as they can. Then give them a pole. This article assumes that the vaulter already know how to hold a pole vault pole. Make them run the same run with the pole. No slowing down, no jogging, full speed sprints!

The next step is to get the vaulter to understand the jump. The jump will be from the left leg, unless they are right legged. This will be widely apparent when they try to jump with their left leg. start a smaller training of asking them to run down the run way ant full speed and jump. Again, there should be no mats, and this time they should not have a pole. They need to feel what its like to run at full speed and suddenly jump. To many, all of these things are completely unnatural to them; and this causes fear and lower performance in the vaulters. Once this exercise is done, we're ready to get a step.

A "step" is track and field code for the place you are going to start on the runway. This "step" is different for everyone because everyone runs differently and everyone has different length legs. Place the pole into the box. Again, this article assumes that the vaulter already know how to hold a pole vault pole. Have the vaulter bend the pole as if they were going to jump, actually bringing their right leg off the runway to put their weight into the pole. If they can't do this, get closer, or hold lower on the pole. Once this is achieved, take note of the place where the foot is. Spin on this foot, and face down the runway. Ask the vaulter to sprint as fast as they can down the runway. Ask them to do this at least three times if this is their first time doing this.

The basic rule of thumb for taking a step is that the average person can get enough speed to do a good vault in "7 lefts". That means at a full sprint, your left foot is going to make contact with the runway 7 times, not counting the last one. So, as a coach, you will count each time the vaulter's left foot hits the runway. On the 7th time, place a mark. You can use a pencil, a stick, whatever. This is where the vaulter will start their run.