Basics - The Takeoff

1. The vaulter must maintain proper body posture at takeoff, and be as tall as possible. This gives the jumper a mechanical advantage over the pole, since the closer the pole is to vertical, the easier it will be to get on top of.
2. The last left foot should land directly under the top (right) hand of the vaulter with the pole touching the back of the box.
3. The vaulter then "long jumps" forward at a 45-degree angle, and drives the knee forward with as much force as possible. Coupled with the knee drive is the hip press which forms an "inverted-C" in the vaulters body (traced from the top hand through the back to the trail leg).
4. This enables the vaulter to store energy into the pole which he will retrieve vertically once rocked back.