I would like to add that you should really look at this site.
Clay has committed so much time to this sport that Bella Vista High School has kind of become a hub for high school students who can come to one of the only safe ring swings in the area or practice a new drill. The time that he has devoted to developing these drills is just phenomenal...they begin as "two in the morning" ideas (he really never does stop thinking about the vault), are translated into a rough set-up to be tested out for effectiveness (I'm usually the guinea pig), and are carefully refined over time to allow the vaulter the best experience possible.
The equipment on the site can really help you feel the different aspects of the vault in ways that trying to correct yourself by vaulting just cannot (they slow it down, emphasize the need for a particular action, etc.) in addition to giving both coach and vaulter a much greater understanding of the vault.
Clay's motto is to "Be Safe, Have Fun, Vault High" and these tools are a perfect example of this mantra. You'll learn, you'll improve, and you'll fall even more in love with the sport.
He was too modest to say it, but he's gotten the golden approval from Alan Launder *altius* (BTB) on all of the tools shown here as devices that promote the practice of learning the 6.40 model, in addition to positive feedback from Derek Miles (who sometimes stops by while he's visiting his parents). If you can't recognize him, the vaulter going over the bar on the front page is Ryan Shuler of Granite Bay HS.
Take a good look and give him some feedback!
Thanks,
Sami Hartley
*I would also like to add that these tools are guaranteed to occupy any injured vaulters that you have...building up strength, increasing understanding of the why's and how's of the vault, refining technique....Well, let's just say that I've gotten a lot out of them
