AHHH
AHHHH there is so much nonsense in the sport of pole vaulting it drives me crazy. Followers, hear me right now. 99.5% of vaulters and vaulting coaches have no idea what they are talking about when it comes to the pole vault plant. When it comes to technique, there is one technique, and there is only one technique. It is the Bubka/Petrov model, and if a vaulter isn’t mimicking it EXACTLY, then they can GTFO.
More specifically, I am talking about blocking (also known as jamming in the vaulting world). So many vaulters do it, so many coaches don’t understand it, and it IS SO BAD. I want to rip my hair out sometimes. I am extremely fortunate to have had such an amazing coach these last two years. When it comes to vaulting, he is a genius. I legitimately consider him the authority on vaulting. He is never wrong. I have never met another coach who understands the vault like he does. I may be ignorant, but my Mansfield coach may be the greatest coach on the East Coach.
Here’s the thing. I watch a lot of vaulting videos. I mean a lot. I watch videos of vaulters from surrounding high schools and surrounding colleges. I watch the rising elites, I watch the pros, I watch the World Championships and the regional meets, and this year, I will watch pole vaulting in the Olympics…*sigh*…But here is the punchline: NO ONE Swings a straight trail leg. Freakin everyone Tucks and Shoots. Tucking and Shooting is so much less effective! Why the frick does everyone do it?!? The world record is held by a straight trail leg swinger!! I wish I could accurately convey my frustration, but alas…sorry if I have offended any of my followers…
Getting back to my point though, the only local PURE Bubka model vaulters you will find on you tube are me, Kevin, and Ed (all coached by my coach). Seriously. Go ahead and look around. Come to me with your findings. I dare you.
OK, this post is kinda extreme, but it just shows my passion for vaulting.
