Ideal
Takeoff Step:
The Key
To Successful
Pole Vaulting
By: Mark Hannay B.S., M.S.
Regional Chairman: USA Track
& Field’s National & Olympic
Pole Vault Development
Committee
Pole Vault Education Initiative
Final Approach To Takeoff
-The Last 6 Strides
The last 6 strides:
– Should be at an increasing rate of
acceleration, tempo, and aggression


The center of gravity will be increasing and
optimize the angle of takeoff
Forces will be maximized in preparation for a
good takeoff angle
– The vaulter should become erect and run
“TALL”

Body position for preparation of an efficient
takeoff and follow-through
The Inside Takeoff Point

The most common error of young and
intermediate vaulters severely limiting
technique development
Dangerous force transfer: Shoulder of top

The pole may not bend: Vaulter will be ripped

The pole may deeply flex: Pole will bend low

Poor vaulter penetrate: May land shallow in the


hand and lower back pain will occur and may result
in injury
off the ground
and may break
pit or in the box
The grip will slip to agree with the inside
step
Top hand
outside of
midline
The plant may be forced
away from the midline of
the body & over the top
hand side of the body:
Vaulter may miss the pit
12” Inside
Bottom arm collapse
The vaulter’s shoulders
may be forced toward
the
top hand side of the pit:
Vaulter may miss the pit
Poor plant position (On
your back):
Plant will not be
overhead and the bottom
arm will not extent fully
“Fiber-head”
Shoulder &
Chest turn
toward top
hand side
18” Inside
The Inside Takeoff

Result of:
– Slowing during the last 6 strides before
takeoff
– Chopping steps during the last 6 strides
before takeoff
– Reaching for final 2 or 3 steps
Slowing Approach
During Last 6 Strides

Cause:
– Athlete has become proficient at slowing to hit a
takeoff point
– Practice vs. Meet Competitiveness (Adrenaline level)
– “Fast” surface overcompensation
– Tail wind overcompensation
– Level of fatigue (Fresh or early in competition)
– Kinesthetic Feel (“Home Court” advantage vs. away)
– Breakdown of approach form due to fatigue

Effect
–
–
–
–
Lowering in center of gravity
Backward lean & not over running base
Poor takeoff angle and posture
Lack of follow-through
“Chopping” Steps
During Last 6 Strides

Cause:
– Same causes as “Slowing Approach”

Effect:
–
–
–
–
Lowering in center of gravity
Forward lean & not over running or jumping base
Flat takeoff angle
Lack of follow-through
“Reaching” for Steps
During Last 2 or 3 Strides

Cause:
–
–
–
–
–

Practice vs. Meet Competitiveness (Adrenaline level)
“Fast” surface overcompensation
Tail or head wind overcompensation
Level of fatigue (Fresh or late in competition)
Kinesthetic Feel (“Home Court” advantage vs. away)
Effect:
–
–
–
–
–
Lowering in center of gravity
Backward lean & not over running or jumping base
Flat takeoff angle
Lack of follow-through
Awkward planting position
Solutions

Common Quick Solution
– Keep moving back until the vaulter is sprinting through the
takeoff
– Can be checked with a stopwatch or on the track with a
wet towel

Programmed Approach
– Approach is from a measured distance
– Approach is judged and repeated by “Feel”
– Works well under certain static conditions but generally is
inconsistent

Steering
– The adjustment of a jumpers stride length and step
placement in order to hit a certain takeoff point
– Highly effective in a variety of different situations
“Steering”:
Markers &
Countdown
Correction Marker
“STEERING ROLL”
Takeoff
Stride
1
Beginning Marker
Pre-takeoff
Stride
2
3
1
“1” On Countdown
& Pole Plant
Beginning
4
5
2
6
7-24
3
Countdown
Outside
Takeoff
Missed Steering Roll By Same
Amount As Outside Takeoff
Plumb
Takeoff Point
Outside
Takeoff
1
2
3
Inside
Takeoff
Missed Steering Roll By Same
Amount As Inside Takeoff
Inside
Takeoff
Plumb
Takeoff Point
1
2
3
Takeoff Point Adjustment

Missed takeoff point and steering roll by
the same amount.
– Adjust beginning point to hit steering roll.
– Over or under stride to hit steering roll to
adjust to takeoff point.

Missed takeoff point and hit steering
roll.
– Move beginning point and steering roll by
the same amount.