Re: Should you pull at take off?
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2014 2:43 pm
The following documents to a large extent the action of the arms during the vault from 1896 to Warmerdam. All comes from sourced pole vault books and or articles of the time.
o The working of the arms begins just before the twist is made, and consists of pulling with the right arm and pushing with the left. This lifts the body, and the twist carries it over, together with a strong push against the pole at the last moment, when the athlete feels his upward motion is changing to a fall. 1896.
o Pull. As the momentum of the vault begins to lessen, start the pull-up. The feet should be well above the shoulders when the pull is being made. The pull-turn-push ends with a hand stand at which point the feet are at
their highest elevation. 1923
• “A strong, powerful pull and a perfect take-off are 90 per cent of the successful vault. This pull should be a continuation of the momentum gained in the run. Jump from the ground, at the same time kicking or swinging the legs up close to the pole. The swing up of the legs and the pull-up of the arms should be together. The feet and body should be thrown as high above the bar as possible. In this effort however, do not straighten the arms. Keep the body close to the pole, so as to be in a good position for a strong push-off.” 1924
• “The pull up begins as the pole approaches a vertical position and after the hips are higher than the shoulders. This vigorous application of arm strength should follow smoothly and blend into the swing with-out checking or in any way impeding the forward, upward swing of the legs. The forearms should lie along the pole, and the pull is along the pole rather then at an angle with it.” Hips and legs remain flexed until finally straightened. The right leg leads the left in the ascent and should be permitted to swing until somewhat above the bar. The body turn should be secured at this moment by a vigorous kick upward and outward with the left leg. This should leave the vaulter in a hand stand position on the pole facing the landing pit. 1938
o The takeoff: This is probably the most important single phase of the vault. The pole is thrust forward into the takeoff box at the last two strides so that the takeoff foot and the pole hit at the same moment. The pole thrust should be a slow, gradual movement, not a jab. At the same time, the lower or left hand is shifted up to the right, the closer the better. Just before the body leaves the ground it should form a right angle of 90 degrees with the ground. The hands should be directly above the head with the elbows half flexed. Allow the body to swing forward with the right leg starting on the upswing. The elbows, which were flexed at the takeoff, will now be entirely extended so as to get the full benefit of the swing. After this slight delay, kick both legs up hard. The pull turn push: While the pull is being made, the right leg is crossed over the left, turning the body so that the stomach is nearest the bar. The pull and turn are made at the same time so that when the pull is completed the body will be in a clearing position with legs up high, ready for the push off. 1941 Warmerdam quote.
o The working of the arms begins just before the twist is made, and consists of pulling with the right arm and pushing with the left. This lifts the body, and the twist carries it over, together with a strong push against the pole at the last moment, when the athlete feels his upward motion is changing to a fall. 1896.
o Pull. As the momentum of the vault begins to lessen, start the pull-up. The feet should be well above the shoulders when the pull is being made. The pull-turn-push ends with a hand stand at which point the feet are at
their highest elevation. 1923
• “A strong, powerful pull and a perfect take-off are 90 per cent of the successful vault. This pull should be a continuation of the momentum gained in the run. Jump from the ground, at the same time kicking or swinging the legs up close to the pole. The swing up of the legs and the pull-up of the arms should be together. The feet and body should be thrown as high above the bar as possible. In this effort however, do not straighten the arms. Keep the body close to the pole, so as to be in a good position for a strong push-off.” 1924
• “The pull up begins as the pole approaches a vertical position and after the hips are higher than the shoulders. This vigorous application of arm strength should follow smoothly and blend into the swing with-out checking or in any way impeding the forward, upward swing of the legs. The forearms should lie along the pole, and the pull is along the pole rather then at an angle with it.” Hips and legs remain flexed until finally straightened. The right leg leads the left in the ascent and should be permitted to swing until somewhat above the bar. The body turn should be secured at this moment by a vigorous kick upward and outward with the left leg. This should leave the vaulter in a hand stand position on the pole facing the landing pit. 1938
o The takeoff: This is probably the most important single phase of the vault. The pole is thrust forward into the takeoff box at the last two strides so that the takeoff foot and the pole hit at the same moment. The pole thrust should be a slow, gradual movement, not a jab. At the same time, the lower or left hand is shifted up to the right, the closer the better. Just before the body leaves the ground it should form a right angle of 90 degrees with the ground. The hands should be directly above the head with the elbows half flexed. Allow the body to swing forward with the right leg starting on the upswing. The elbows, which were flexed at the takeoff, will now be entirely extended so as to get the full benefit of the swing. After this slight delay, kick both legs up hard. The pull turn push: While the pull is being made, the right leg is crossed over the left, turning the body so that the stomach is nearest the bar. The pull and turn are made at the same time so that when the pull is completed the body will be in a clearing position with legs up high, ready for the push off. 1941 Warmerdam quote.