Are you a pole vaulting fanatic? Well you came to the right place! In here we talk about all things pole vault - we also will answer any question you have on the sport and there are no stupid questions here! Also if you have any questions about a certain product or don't know the pros and the cons to the product we will do a review on it. This is a safe and non-judging place for beginners and masters to come and enjoy.
UST-ESSX is selling poles
and a NEW product! UST ESSX poles use engineered pattern clocking that calculates
the exact alignment of the soft side with the pole pre-bend curve. This reduces
twisting and lowers take-off stress making our poles easier to load. The UST
ESSX pole design keeps the pole from bending low which improves roll over
capabilities when compared to other brands.
Need a new pole case? ESSX pole cases can adjust with three sections to fit all length poles up to and including 17.6” poles. Built to be water resistant and can carry 4-5 poles with their tubes. If you would like to order a new pole case, Ask Jamie for the ESSX model add your name or school to the bag, contact Jamie for costs and details.
Wait there is more! In addition to
these pole, check out this product that is a new feature to the pole. It is
called the ESSX Flame Pole Tip. This new ESSX tip is made of a unique engineer
polymer for the World’s Premier Material Formulator, to their specifications
and formed in house with a special material that has exceptional high shear and
tensile strengths, this tip has unmatched resilience and balances impact
without busing with no absorption or deforming. The ESSX tip has a simple
design. The tip is not your everyday tip it’s shape creates a greater angle in
the box to allow you to handle 2.2 to 4.4 lbs. stiffer poles. This could also
allow, if all other things are equal, a higher jump. Also check out the new UST ESSX Recoil pole easier to bend and faster to return
1.3-step swing up - going from a short run,
normally around a three step, gripping fairly low, or higher if you can,
running, getting a nice big plant, and swinging up to be parallel with the
pole, making sure your bottom elbow collapses in past the pole.
2.Cone runs - set up cones on the track or runway,
setting each cone 5, 5 and half, 6 feet apart from each other, or how ever long
you stride length is.This is good
practice to get the knees up, and help lengthen out your stride.make sure to measure them out, and
start small, and gradually increase the distance in between each cone.Can be done with or without a pole.
3.Bubka swing up drills - on a high bar,
preferably one you can hang from where your feet don’t touch the ground, get a
good swing going, and have a drive knee if you want to practice good form, then
swing your trail leg through to get completely inverted, like in a vault.
4.Handstands - Though handstands are difficult for
some people, they are very beneficial to pole vault training.While practicing handstands, you are
developing a sense of balance, proprioception, and all of the muscles in your
traps, back, shoulders, and abs.
5.Extensions - done a high bar or gymnastic rings,
these help with core strength.You
start in the ending position of a bubka, being fully inverted, holding yourself
up.Then you want to slowly lower
the bottom half of your body until your legs make about a 90 degree angle with
the rest of your body, then shoot back up to be fully inverted.This takes a lot of practice, and if
you are starting out, assistance is more than ok.
6.Straight pole drills - going from a short run,
anywhere from 3 to 5 lefts (or rights) and holding a little lower than normal
on a big, stiff pole is a very useful drill.When using a pole that you cannot bend to vault with, the
height of the jump solely relies on you and your form.Great to fix mistakes in technique.
7.Pole throws - These are done standing in the
field, or a grassy area.Hold the
pole upright, like you are about to start your run.Start to drop your pole, pull your bottom arm away, and
shoot your top hand straight up above your head, launching the pole forward and
up.If done well, your pole will
fully rotate in the air, with the buttplug facing back towards you.If you need help, ask a coach, or
search videos on youtube.
8.Inversions on full jumps - Many people do this
in warm ups for meets, as well as practice.Going from a full run, or even shorter, you’ll go through
the vault like normal, with you run, plant, and swing up, but when you swing
up, just try to get inverted as possible, and hold the position all the way
down to the pit.Practicing your
inversion will help your vault tremendously.
9.Slide box take-off drills - Using a slide box,
mark up your runway with tape or chalk to simulate a runway leading up to the
slide box.You can go from any
step you wish, however a full run would probably be best.Slide box drills are great for
improving your take off and building confidence, because you can put up a huge
plant, and you will move the slide box.
10.Just plain vaulting at practice -Actively vaulting and practicing is one
of the best ways to improve.Make
sure you always vault with a coach, or someone who is well trained and knows
what they are doing to ensure maximum safety.
A huge triumph for American pole vaulting was achieved recently at a meet in Europe. Mark Hollis, 2010 National Champ, reached his goal of 5.80 meters at a meet in Liege Belgium. For those who dont know much about Mark he has been striving for that 19 foot bar for a long time and to witness him achieve it is amazing for all American vaulters. Mark's jump was a great starting point for Americans because the United States has not held a mens world record since 1976 and has had only one world champion in the past thirty years. The women have also been stumped by the jumping of Yelena Isinbayeva in the world record category. Hollis's jump was a good preview of what the next American vaulters can do. The future also looks bright with some of the collegiate athletes such as Sam Kendricks, and Jake Blankenship, however Renaud's record still stands. America is in need of another 6 meter vaulter and Hollis showed us that we are closer than it seems.
1. Your Run - The run is considered by many - one of the most important part of the vaults. A good run generates power which will allow the vaulter to get the most out of their pole. Having a good run starts with speed and form. You can gain speed by training and learning form by repetitive practice.
2. Core Strength - Good abs are not only for impressing people but also helpful for the swing or tuck in your vault. However you get vertical, a good core can help you transition from the plant to getting upside down.
3. A Strong Plant - Nothing helps a vaulter penetrate into the pit like a good plant. A plant with good form can help vaulters get on bigger poles and send them flying into the air. To help your plant the best way is to practice. Sergei Bubka did over 100 standing plants a day to increase his form and strength while planting the pole in the box
4. Making the Pole Work - Many people have had issues with different poles and different runs. The best way to help you jump higher is to identify what run with what pole will help you get the highest and that does not always mean going back farther and getting on a big pole. Sometimes a shorter approach with a certain pole can help someone better than say a run from the back of the runway
5. Confidence - Confidence is one of the most important things a vaulter needs when preparing to jump. Confidence will help any vaulter penetrate into the pit and get vertical faster and better. If you can get confident without tiring yourself out, you can jump on poles you never thought you could get on while inverting yourself to a perfect degree.
In the middle of the season i was becoming a "good" vaulter and sought out to find a more experienced coach. When posting a picture on Facebook a man named Jim Henderson posted saying
"I have a 7th grader jumping 10'0" but don't let
that discourage you good pole vaulting runs in his family" That kinda discouraged me - but that made me work harder. I looked up Jim Henderson online he is pretty famous in the Long island area so we decided to check him out. Jim owns a warehouse in Sachem, when you walk in to your right you see air conditioners and to your left is vaulters paradise. He has 100+ poles two pits and a outdoor runway, It's amazing what you can do in such a little space. Check him out The warehouse pole vault club with Jim Henderson!
Honestly? I never thought pole
vaulting was going to be my passion until my head coach asked me what I was
running. I thought of the easiest event there was (so I thought) and picked
pole vaulting. My teammates told me it would be fun and really no running at
all. First practice, just an intro and stuff to the sport and meeting our pole
vaulting coach. He told me I would easily pass 8 feet in no time - he was
right. The 1st meet was home and we had the "Home court advantage"
because we live on an island the wind was blowing like crazy! I had only
learned how to vault maybe 1 week before the meet. The 1st and 2nd jump I
knocked that bar down but the 3rd jump I got over at 8 feet (boys standard).
This opened up an entirely new world I started loving the sport. Every time I
had a chance I looked up the pros learning from them and watching their jumps.
I was becoming obsessed... all I can think of was the next personal record. The
2nd meet came and I was ready! I made it over 9 feet 6 inches that's two
personal records because we go up by 6 inches every time you make it over. This
is how it all started
Wait there is more! In addition to
these pole, check out this product that is a new feature to the pole. It is
called the ESSX Flame Pole Tip. This new ESSX tip is made of a unique engineer
polymer for the World’s Premier Material Formulator, to their specifications
and formed in house with a special material that has exceptional high shear and
tensile strengths, this tip has unmatched resilience and balances impact
without busing with no absorption or deforming. The ESSX tip has a simple
design. The tip is not your everyday tip it’s shape creates a greater angle in
the box to allow you to handle 2.2 to 4.4 lbs. stiffer poles. This could also
allow, if all other things are equal, a higher jump. Also check out the new UST ESSX Recoil pole easier to bend and faster to return
