TolbertVault wrote: ... I do think you're right about it being a mental thing. I know it's different for everyone, but do you have and suggestions for getting past the mental block?
My advice re getting past your mental blocks is by no means the ONLY way to go, and maybe not even the BEST advice. It's just how I would have handled it when I was vaulting. Your milage will vary for the exact reason you stated - it's different for everyone, depending on their aspirations, thought process, you name it. I would be interested in hearing how other coaches and vaulter have handeled simlar situations.
Here's what I would have done ...
1. Make the decision that you want to be the best you can be - to vault the highest you can vault. Decide that that's your #1 priority. This means that any other motivations take a lower priority.
2. Recognize that the gallop at the start of your runup is a BAD habit, and not good technique. After all, it's not anything that any other vaulters do (I'm sure there's a few exceptions, even with elites, so don't flame me about this point). Tell yourself that your'e going to fix it, and tell yourself why. For the why, see #1.
3. Ask your coach and vaulting buddies for help. Tell them you want to get rid of the bad habit of the gallop. Tell them why. The why is that it's causing you to lose speed at the start of your run, which results in a slower speed on takeoff. Takeoff speed MUST be optimized, so you MUST fix this. You also MUST hit your target takeoff, and galloping causes inconsistency in hitting it. By declaring this to your buddies and your coach, they will support you and help you. In return, you will become committed to fixing this.
4. Now that you've set yourself up for success, and declared it publicly, then as the shoe manufacturer says, "just do it".
Declaring your intentions in this public way has to do with "commitment" and "affirmation". From a psychological standpoint, you stand a much better chance of success if you've committed or affirmed what you intend to do. Not just to others, but especially to yourself. In layman's terms, this is "mind over matter". It's taking the control of the actions your body makes, and giving them back to your brain, and not letting your body "misbehave" according to it's current habits. It's making YOU responsible for them, rather than shrugging off the bad habit (like galloping) as just something that you have no control over (so in despair, why even try).
I don't know if that type of logic rings a bell with you, but if it does, then try it. If your thought process doesn't work this way, then devise some alternate way of getting rid of your habit. Some vaulters (myself included) are self-motivated. Others need their coach to push them in the right direction. Either way is OK, but obviously a combo of the 2 is best.
The fact that you're asking for help on PVP is already a very good step in the right direction, because you're being humble by asking for help. That makes us want to help you, so please feel the power of us supporting you in your quest. This should increase your self confidence, which you need to increase continually.
And this advice is not just for the bad habit of galloping. It transcends to almost every type of training you do.
Good luck!
I have left the issue of your head position on takeoff (or during the plant) having an affect on your head position during your extension to another post (maybe someone else can respond to that one). It's a totally different topic than the one I just reponded to.
Kirk