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The Jagodin... What is it? What are its advantages? What are its disadvantages? How and how often should they be used?

The Jagodin (I'm assuming they're named after the biomechanist) is a simple repetetive drill that can be performed with a flexible or stiff pole that involves a run, plant, and take-off. The athlete's goal is to stay behind the pole and ride into the pit.

Here's Brian doing one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i63tjlvr74c

I personally use these all the time from short runs with a stiff pole. They are nice because there is no effort put into swinging, so I can save energy and do more!

What are everyone's thoughts? Could this drill lead to a tendency to blocking? How can that be avoided?

Can you take a video of them at a short run/short hold? I'm not sure exactly how it's supposed to be done.
YES...I know there's a video, but that's from a long run.
Is it supposed to bend? How do you keep your legs behind the pole?
I know...they're on B2B2 but still. [I'm still slightly confused.]

powerplant42 wrote:The Jagodin... What is it? What are its advantages? What are its disadvantages? How and how often should they be used?

The Jagodin (I'm assuming they're named after the biomechanist) is a simple repetetive drill that can be performed with a flexible or stiff pole that involves a run, plant, and take-off. The athlete's goal is to stay behind the pole and ride into the pit.

Here's Brian doing one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i63tjlvr74c

I personally use these all the time from short runs with a stiff pole. They are nice because there is no effort put into swinging, so I can save energy and do more!

What are everyone's thoughts? Could this drill lead to a tendency to blocking? How can that be avoided?

Advantages
-A good way to transition beginners. It helps them to learn to run, plant, and takeoff properly before they start thinking about swinging, bars, etc.
-As you mentioned, energy conservation. Most athletes I have seen (high school and collegiate) will use this drill every time they practice from a full run or to warm up for a meet. It allows the athlete to get their steps and takeoff so that they are confident in their approach for the day and at the same time saves the energy from swinging, extending, etc.
-The jagodin teaches the athlete to stay behind the pole.
*Note: This is for me and my training but I recommend this to all vaulters. I NEVER start swinging in a full run practice until I have got my approach and take off down. If you are not running properly and taking off under, then work on those things that day. Don't just say "Oh my takeoff is way under but I'm going to finish the vault anyway." Too many high schoolers do this and too many high schoolers get REJECTED.

Disadvantages
-I suppose there is the possibility that this drill could lead to blocking. However I do not think this applies to beginner athletes, they do not need to worry about blocking when they are still learning to run and plant. For more advanced vaulters, it is up to a good coach that will help them to focus on arm movement during the jagodin once they have know to run, takeoff and plant correctly.

I highly doubt this will lead to blocking. By the same logic, this drill could just as easily lead to you forgetting how to bend the pole, and I doubt that will happen.

You can never block if your bottom hand is correctly positioned on the pole.

Is there a video of someone doing this drill lower on a pole?
I can't bend my pole [not very easily, anyways...not without a bunch of momentum, and not much] and I don't know what it would like like that way.
I'm a bit confused on how to do this...and the videos of people doing the drill high up on the pole confuse me!

birdi_gurlie wrote:Is there a video of someone doing this drill lower on a pole?
I can't bend my pole [not very easily, anyways...not without a bunch of momentum, and not much] and I don't know what it would like like that way.
I'm a bit confused on how to do this...and the videos of people doing the drill high up on the pole confuse me!

Here is a one:
http://acmatheysin.free.fr/videos.php?lecture=9.MOV

Thanks, but I meant one where the pole doesn't bend...if that's possible...
Again, I hold at about 8-9 feet...so, the pole doesn't bend much, if at all, when I try.

I like these better as stiff pole drills anyway.

And that's demonstrated in altius' DVD...

altius wrote:You can never block if your bottom hand is correctly positioned on the pole.

Could you explain this? I believe you, I am just having trouble understanding.

I know...they're on B2B2 but still. [I'm still slightly confused.]

Stiff pole versions are shown on the BTB dvd -both in a sand pit and in the box. Any dumb bunny can understand those!!!! Do not recommend bendy pole version for young athletes because you have to have exactly the right pole the run up to do them safely.

Could you help me understand that last part? I get where you're coming from, but not totally... Maybe it would be helpful if we could outline the biomechanical differences between stiff pole Jagodins and flexible pole Jagodins?