1973 Description of the Bryde Bend
Posted: Mon May 20, 2013 5:01 pm
Most of my 1971-1972 technique has been described in the Bryde Bend (Jump to the Split) thread (http://www.polevaultpower.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=15483), as I recalled it in June 2008.
It is usually not easy for anyone to recall details of things from over 40 years ago, but I have a very vivid memory of almost exactly how I vaulted and the cues I used back then.
In Nov 2009, my PV buddy Jerry Hock was kind enough to send me a copy of the 8th Edition (1973) of Dr. R. V. Ganslen's "Mechanics of the Pole Vault", in which I provided answers to Dr. Ganslen's questions re my novel technique. The most unique part of my technique was my vigorous "jump to the split", but I also had a high, "weightless" pole carry, very high pole plant, an excellent free takeoff, and a very strong, smooth, continuous swing and extension on a big-bending pole (a much bigger bend than most other elite vaulters in my day - in hindsight perhaps too big of a bend). The similarities between my technique and the Petrov Model (developed over a decade later) are uncanny!
Dr. Ganslen also asked other world-class vaulters of 1972 - such as Jan Johnson, Dave Roberts, Kjell Isaksson, Steve Smith, Wolfgang Nordwig, Hans Lagerqvist, Jeff Taylor, Mike Cotton, Larry Jessee, Francois Tracanelli, and Reinhard Kuretzky these same questions. (If you're interested, I have all their replies, and I've already quoted Isaksson's replies here: http://www.polevaultpower.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=17391&start=12.)
In this 1973 edition, I was delighted to read the self-analysis of my vault, and compare it to my current recollection of my technique. Amazingly, it's nearly identical to how I describe my technique on PVP today. I had studied my 1971 technique all thru 1972 with Coach Shannon, so I'm sure that's why it's still so vivid in my mind. We ran that vid thru our Super-8 projector so many times that it wore out - which is why I don't have the vid today, or I'd share it.
Here's Dr. Ganslen's questions and my answers ...
Name: Kirk Bryde
Pole Flex: 6.25-7.125
Weight: 175
Max Grip: 15-8
Avg Grip: 15-4
Hand Spread: 22"
Birthdate: 7-9-1949
Height: 72"
Best 100m Time: 11.4 (10.4 for 100 yards)
Best Other Event: TJ 43-7 (in HS)
Year Started Vaulting: 15 (this was when I started using a fiberglass pole - I started PV at age 12 with aluminum, bamboo, and steel)
Country: Canada
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FROM WORLD RANKING VAULTERS
1. WHAT TYPE OF POLE PLANT ARE YOU USING AT THE PRESENT TIME? WHAT SPECIAL TECHNIQUE DO YOU EMPLOY IN THE PLANT? DO YOU USE AN SPECIAL TRAINING EXERCISES?
BRYDE: Through the shoulder pole plant, I keep the pole as close to my body as possible while planting, keeping the shoulders square at all times except fo the split second when the top hand passes from a "fingers down" position under the shoulder, to ta "fingers up" position above the shoulder. The top hand passes just in front of the shoulder (through where the shoulder would have been if it stayed square), then just in front of the ear. (A tight close to the body) execution of a through-the-shoulder is possible only with a very flexible shoulder. I improve my shoulder flexibility by doing "skin cat" drills on the high bar and rings and hanging dislocates on the rings.
2. AFTER THE PLANT, DO YOU CONSCIOUSLY PRESS FORWARD ON THE POLE WITH THE LOWER HAND AT TAKE-OFF AND ARE YOU AWARE OF THE PRESSURE?
BRYDE: No! The bottom hand is used for balance and control only. Any pressure applied would interfere with circular momentum (swinging to the rock-back position).
3. IN THE TAKE-OFF ACTION FROM THE GROUND, HOW DO YOU CONTROL YOUR DRIVING ACTION?
BRYDE: I think of my take-off action as a "jump to a split position" (i.e.) driving the lead knee forward and upward quickly at the same time the chest is drive forward towards the pole. There is a definite pause in this split position after take-off. The higher the grip and the more the poe bends then the longer you should pause in the "split".
2013 Note: I realized only 5 years ago that I should NOT have paused in the "split". My 1971 Pac-8 Meet vaults, and my short run practice vaults did NOT have this flaw. I explain this here, starting with my Oct 21 post on page 11: http://www.polevaultpower.com/forum/search.php?t=15483
4. WHAT ARE YOUR CUES (VISUAL OR OTHERWISE) FOR GETTING INTO THE WELL-ROCKED POSITION ON THE POLE BEFORE PULLING?
BRYDE: I don't come off the pole (i.e.) stop the rock-back and start the leg extension until I kinesiologically feel a loss of horizontal momentum. If my leg swing doesn't give me the circular momentum to rock back completely before the pole straightens I usually switch to a lighter pole that will give me the rock back. Without losing horizontal momentum, my pull is more of a leg extension like the half of a "clean and jerk" in weight lifting. This is the strongest part of my vault. By using my legs and my back instead of my arms I get a very efficient extension. It makes sense to use your arms as a last resort because you're much weaker than in your legs and back.
5. IN DELAYING THE PULL AND TURN, HOW DO YOU CONTROL AND MAINTAIN YOUR POSITION ON YOUR BACK?
BRYDE: As long as I have the confidence that I will land well into the pit, I am able to delay the turn until the extension is almost complete. Also, since I don't pull with my top arm until the extension is almost complete, I don't rotate until then -- the two go together.
6. (AUTHOR) I WISH TO INTRODUCE A NEW CONCEPT IN THE VAULT WHICH I WILL CALL PENETRATION. BY PENETRATION, I MEAN THE ABILITY TO GET UP HIGH AND STILL HAVE SUFFICIENT MOMENTUM TO CLEAR THE BAR. THIS CONCEPT IS USED BECAUSE MANY VAULTERS GET WELL UP INTO THE AIR AND "STALL OUT" OR ARE UNSUCCESSFUL IN REACHING THE CROSS BAR. WHAT ARE 3 OR 4 MAJOR FACTORS IN YOUR OPINION WHICH MAKE IT DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE VAULTER TO ACHIEVE SUCCESSFUL PENETRATION?
BRYDE: (1) Grip too high. (2) Pole too stiff. (3) Leaning back at take-off. (4) Not driving chest into the pole at take-off. In order to penetrate horizontally towards the bar just after take-off while in the split position. If you have not penetrated before you rock back, all is lost for the top of the vault and you are probably making one of the above mistakes.
7. DO YOU WORK FOR A PARTICULAR CLEARANCE STYLE OVER THE CROSS BAR?
BRYDE: I only worry about the position of my arms. I turn my thumbs in to raise my elbows above the bar.
8. IN YOUR PERSONAL JUDGEMENT, WHAT ARE 3 MAJOR FAULTS IN TECHNIQUE OR TRAINING THAT HOLD BACK THE PROGRESS OF MANY VAULTERS?
BRYDE: (1) Most vaulters rely too much on vaulting practice for learning technique. it is more expedient to concentrate on one part of the vault at a time doing running, gymnastics and weight lifting technique drills. (2) Many vaulters (myself included) have a make-or-break attitude, going for the long run, the high grip and the heavy pole for the big jump rather than learning proper technique slowly but surely (i.e.) one step of progress at a time, but never digressing. (3) The stomach muscle group in a vaulter's continuing and strengthening program. The difference between a 14-0 and 16-0 vaulter is often merely gut strength.
9. IN A SHORT PARAGRAPH, DESCRIBE YOUR BASIC PHYSICAL TRAINING PROGRAM.
BRYDE: Technique running: Includes running with a pole and pole plant drills, long jumping and split leg jumps. Gymnastics: Includes rings with two-legged swings, split-leg swings and shoot-to-handstand. High bar: Includes rocking back drills, leg extension drills, kip-ups, free hip circle to handstand, back giant swings take-off drills with 3-step run. Weight lifting: Includes cleans, behind the neck military presses, inclined board drills, sit-ups, and leg extensions.
My training program is a balanced program of running, vaulting and weight lifting Generally I do two of the above programs each day, 6 days a week up to 3-4 hours per day.
10. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE FUTURE OF MODERN POLE VAULTING?
BRYDE: Physically and physiologically, a 20-foot vault is possible today by several different athletes. But psychologically, man is a primitive animal when it comes to vaulting. For this reason, I think that future "break-throughs" in vaulting will come from scientific advancement not in physics and physiology, but in psychology. With the introduction of professional track there is now monetary incentives for psychological scientists to study the psychology of vaulting and apply it to the athletes, just as the physical and physiological scientists [did in the past].
As Bob Richards one said to Junior: "The sky's the limit!"
Kirk
It is usually not easy for anyone to recall details of things from over 40 years ago, but I have a very vivid memory of almost exactly how I vaulted and the cues I used back then.
In Nov 2009, my PV buddy Jerry Hock was kind enough to send me a copy of the 8th Edition (1973) of Dr. R. V. Ganslen's "Mechanics of the Pole Vault", in which I provided answers to Dr. Ganslen's questions re my novel technique. The most unique part of my technique was my vigorous "jump to the split", but I also had a high, "weightless" pole carry, very high pole plant, an excellent free takeoff, and a very strong, smooth, continuous swing and extension on a big-bending pole (a much bigger bend than most other elite vaulters in my day - in hindsight perhaps too big of a bend). The similarities between my technique and the Petrov Model (developed over a decade later) are uncanny!
Dr. Ganslen also asked other world-class vaulters of 1972 - such as Jan Johnson, Dave Roberts, Kjell Isaksson, Steve Smith, Wolfgang Nordwig, Hans Lagerqvist, Jeff Taylor, Mike Cotton, Larry Jessee, Francois Tracanelli, and Reinhard Kuretzky these same questions. (If you're interested, I have all their replies, and I've already quoted Isaksson's replies here: http://www.polevaultpower.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=17391&start=12.)
In this 1973 edition, I was delighted to read the self-analysis of my vault, and compare it to my current recollection of my technique. Amazingly, it's nearly identical to how I describe my technique on PVP today. I had studied my 1971 technique all thru 1972 with Coach Shannon, so I'm sure that's why it's still so vivid in my mind. We ran that vid thru our Super-8 projector so many times that it wore out - which is why I don't have the vid today, or I'd share it.
Here's Dr. Ganslen's questions and my answers ...
Name: Kirk Bryde
Pole Flex: 6.25-7.125
Weight: 175
Max Grip: 15-8
Avg Grip: 15-4
Hand Spread: 22"
Birthdate: 7-9-1949
Height: 72"
Best 100m Time: 11.4 (10.4 for 100 yards)
Best Other Event: TJ 43-7 (in HS)
Year Started Vaulting: 15 (this was when I started using a fiberglass pole - I started PV at age 12 with aluminum, bamboo, and steel)
Country: Canada
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FROM WORLD RANKING VAULTERS
1. WHAT TYPE OF POLE PLANT ARE YOU USING AT THE PRESENT TIME? WHAT SPECIAL TECHNIQUE DO YOU EMPLOY IN THE PLANT? DO YOU USE AN SPECIAL TRAINING EXERCISES?
BRYDE: Through the shoulder pole plant, I keep the pole as close to my body as possible while planting, keeping the shoulders square at all times except fo the split second when the top hand passes from a "fingers down" position under the shoulder, to ta "fingers up" position above the shoulder. The top hand passes just in front of the shoulder (through where the shoulder would have been if it stayed square), then just in front of the ear. (A tight close to the body) execution of a through-the-shoulder is possible only with a very flexible shoulder. I improve my shoulder flexibility by doing "skin cat" drills on the high bar and rings and hanging dislocates on the rings.
2. AFTER THE PLANT, DO YOU CONSCIOUSLY PRESS FORWARD ON THE POLE WITH THE LOWER HAND AT TAKE-OFF AND ARE YOU AWARE OF THE PRESSURE?
BRYDE: No! The bottom hand is used for balance and control only. Any pressure applied would interfere with circular momentum (swinging to the rock-back position).
3. IN THE TAKE-OFF ACTION FROM THE GROUND, HOW DO YOU CONTROL YOUR DRIVING ACTION?
BRYDE: I think of my take-off action as a "jump to a split position" (i.e.) driving the lead knee forward and upward quickly at the same time the chest is drive forward towards the pole. There is a definite pause in this split position after take-off. The higher the grip and the more the poe bends then the longer you should pause in the "split".
2013 Note: I realized only 5 years ago that I should NOT have paused in the "split". My 1971 Pac-8 Meet vaults, and my short run practice vaults did NOT have this flaw. I explain this here, starting with my Oct 21 post on page 11: http://www.polevaultpower.com/forum/search.php?t=15483
4. WHAT ARE YOUR CUES (VISUAL OR OTHERWISE) FOR GETTING INTO THE WELL-ROCKED POSITION ON THE POLE BEFORE PULLING?
BRYDE: I don't come off the pole (i.e.) stop the rock-back and start the leg extension until I kinesiologically feel a loss of horizontal momentum. If my leg swing doesn't give me the circular momentum to rock back completely before the pole straightens I usually switch to a lighter pole that will give me the rock back. Without losing horizontal momentum, my pull is more of a leg extension like the half of a "clean and jerk" in weight lifting. This is the strongest part of my vault. By using my legs and my back instead of my arms I get a very efficient extension. It makes sense to use your arms as a last resort because you're much weaker than in your legs and back.
5. IN DELAYING THE PULL AND TURN, HOW DO YOU CONTROL AND MAINTAIN YOUR POSITION ON YOUR BACK?
BRYDE: As long as I have the confidence that I will land well into the pit, I am able to delay the turn until the extension is almost complete. Also, since I don't pull with my top arm until the extension is almost complete, I don't rotate until then -- the two go together.
6. (AUTHOR) I WISH TO INTRODUCE A NEW CONCEPT IN THE VAULT WHICH I WILL CALL PENETRATION. BY PENETRATION, I MEAN THE ABILITY TO GET UP HIGH AND STILL HAVE SUFFICIENT MOMENTUM TO CLEAR THE BAR. THIS CONCEPT IS USED BECAUSE MANY VAULTERS GET WELL UP INTO THE AIR AND "STALL OUT" OR ARE UNSUCCESSFUL IN REACHING THE CROSS BAR. WHAT ARE 3 OR 4 MAJOR FACTORS IN YOUR OPINION WHICH MAKE IT DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE VAULTER TO ACHIEVE SUCCESSFUL PENETRATION?
BRYDE: (1) Grip too high. (2) Pole too stiff. (3) Leaning back at take-off. (4) Not driving chest into the pole at take-off. In order to penetrate horizontally towards the bar just after take-off while in the split position. If you have not penetrated before you rock back, all is lost for the top of the vault and you are probably making one of the above mistakes.
7. DO YOU WORK FOR A PARTICULAR CLEARANCE STYLE OVER THE CROSS BAR?
BRYDE: I only worry about the position of my arms. I turn my thumbs in to raise my elbows above the bar.
8. IN YOUR PERSONAL JUDGEMENT, WHAT ARE 3 MAJOR FAULTS IN TECHNIQUE OR TRAINING THAT HOLD BACK THE PROGRESS OF MANY VAULTERS?
BRYDE: (1) Most vaulters rely too much on vaulting practice for learning technique. it is more expedient to concentrate on one part of the vault at a time doing running, gymnastics and weight lifting technique drills. (2) Many vaulters (myself included) have a make-or-break attitude, going for the long run, the high grip and the heavy pole for the big jump rather than learning proper technique slowly but surely (i.e.) one step of progress at a time, but never digressing. (3) The stomach muscle group in a vaulter's continuing and strengthening program. The difference between a 14-0 and 16-0 vaulter is often merely gut strength.
9. IN A SHORT PARAGRAPH, DESCRIBE YOUR BASIC PHYSICAL TRAINING PROGRAM.
BRYDE: Technique running: Includes running with a pole and pole plant drills, long jumping and split leg jumps. Gymnastics: Includes rings with two-legged swings, split-leg swings and shoot-to-handstand. High bar: Includes rocking back drills, leg extension drills, kip-ups, free hip circle to handstand, back giant swings take-off drills with 3-step run. Weight lifting: Includes cleans, behind the neck military presses, inclined board drills, sit-ups, and leg extensions.
My training program is a balanced program of running, vaulting and weight lifting Generally I do two of the above programs each day, 6 days a week up to 3-4 hours per day.
10. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE FUTURE OF MODERN POLE VAULTING?
BRYDE: Physically and physiologically, a 20-foot vault is possible today by several different athletes. But psychologically, man is a primitive animal when it comes to vaulting. For this reason, I think that future "break-throughs" in vaulting will come from scientific advancement not in physics and physiology, but in psychology. With the introduction of professional track there is now monetary incentives for psychological scientists to study the psychology of vaulting and apply it to the athletes, just as the physical and physiological scientists [did in the past].
As Bob Richards one said to Junior: "The sky's the limit!"
Kirk