Basics - The Pole Plant

1. The Pole Plant occurs in 3 conceptual steps which should flow together smoothly and fluidly:
1. The tip needs to come ALL the way down to the ground (2 steps before takeoff step).
2. The plant passes in front of our face and rises up above our head (1 step before takeoff step).
3. The pole is fully extended overhead with both arms fully extended (takeoff step).
2. The hands should have a comfortable grip placement, but be careful not to rotate the hands around the outsides of the pole. Sometimes a vaulter will do this and the only thing he is hanging on by is his thumbs -- and when these give way, he lets go, the pole uncoils and slams into the vaulters body causing pain, embarrassment, and a missed jump.