Inversion problems (ENTIRE TEAM!)

[lakesidepv]

I am very frustrated! My entire team is having a hard time getting their feet above their hips. We've got good takeoffs/plants, but when we get up in the air, we all try to clear without getting inverted first. Consequently, we're not getting everything out of our poles. We've done lots of short run popups w/ swingups, but we can't seem to convert that concept/skill to a full approach.

What can I do?

[monopoly00]

Get stronger in your upper body by doing crunches and push-ups. Also, try doing the Bubka Drill.

[vaultin chris]

focus on the trail leg swing. it attributes greatly to inversion. work on the strength, flexiblity and control of the trail leg.

[lonpvh]

I counter what you say about everyone having good take offs. A good take off leads to getting inverted, almost effortlessly because of momentum and stretch reflexes. My guess is the kids are probably jamming there left arm too much causing there center of mass to pass the pole to early. Try turning the bottom arm out a bit and empasize the bottom moving upwards dynamically. That migh help. Then again, might not. LB

[Bruce Caldwell]

Most of the time vaulters hold higher than they should.

Remember this is pole vaulting not pole bending.
Anyone gripping higher than they vault needs to be reevaluated as to what length pole they need to be on or lower their grip.

In most cases where the vaulter is gripping less than 1 foot over the height they are jumping you can lower the grip by 1 ½ fists and get results.

The hips cannot invert as the pole pendulum dominates the jump.

We use as a rule of thumb to jump on poles rated 15-20 lbs over your weight before moving to the next length pole.

You will see immediate results by lowering the grip or moving to a shorter stronger pole.