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I want to begin my post by saying the reason I initiated this debate was to challenge the wide spread assumption that the Bubka/Petrov, as exemplified by S. Bubka, represents ideal technique. And futher, all other styles or vartiations in technique are inferior or flawed. Bubka's speed is well docum...

Given Lavillenie's recent successes and the promise of more to come, it seems to me it is time to start a serious objective discussion as to who's technique is superior, Lavillenie's or Bubka's? Note, I start with the premise that Lavillenie obviously does not base his technque on the Bubka/Petrov m...

Technically it is hard to imagine a vaulter more different from Bubka. I would like to know what all the advocates of the Bubka/Petrov model will say if and when Lavillenie breaks Bubka's Record. I imagine they will find ways to rationalize that Lavillenie's technique actually fits the B/P model.

Kirk, If you look at vaults by Galfione and Britts, who both typically took off about 18" under, they both took off at this same point on their p.r. jumps. My point is that I believe the study you suggest would on average, reflect the same thing for virtually all elite vaulters ( on average the...

To whom it may concern, My view that you should not try to change aspects of a vaulter's technique that are based on the vaulter's instincts is based on a great deal of direct evidence ( although not at the elite level ), so it is not anecdotal. The fact that Tully was a successful exception to this...

Walrus, More thoughts: The Big Bang Theory and The Theory of Evolution were both developed based on observational evidence and some good inductive reasoning. It seems to me that the fg. vault is ideadlly suited to analysis and theory development based on observational evidence and good inductive rea...

Well I certainly agree that you have to do more than execute a free-take off to vault well. This seems like an obvious point to me. When you sight Tulley as changing, are you saying he went from taking off under to using a free-take off or that he just lenghtened his last 2 strides? I'm not arguing ...

To all concerned, It appears that however you want ot define it, no one can offer scientific proof that the free-take off is superior. In science having a single example to back up your point is called anecdotal evidence and is not considered vaild proof, so Bubka's great success using a free-take o...

Walrus, Experiments are fine, but how do you set up an experiment that will give you accurate info on which take off point is the best? This seems impossible to me. It is my view that the only accurate info available is the performance of the best vaulters (5.80 and better ), which indicates that th...

Recently several responders criticized the writer's scientifically based arguements regarding ideal technique in the PV, as being overly simplistic and lacking in detail. The writer's counter response to this is that science and scientists absolutely love the concept of simplicity. At first glance r...

To those concerned, Again, I repeat, based on my analysis of elite vaulters, the free-take is a viable take-off model for vaulters who NATURALLY tend to take off out. I do not believe that executing a free -take off is at all difficult for any vaulter who naturally takes off out. In fact, it is hard...

Kirk, It is my point of view that the top hand should be extended as high as possible during the plant. Once this is achieved the action of the top arm is finished ( you shouldn't try to keep pressing it up after the plant is finished ) The mechcanics of a forward /upward springing action are differ...