Re: Help Me.
Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2015 12:10 am
ADTF Academy has told us what to do to progress this vaulter towards achieving goals in both vaulting and college education. The advice is spot on and pertinent when she is able to get past the “blockages” in her technique that currently restrict her to 13 foot poles.
On the basis of the visual evidence presented, by Tim, the question has to be asked is "Why is the specific vaulter gripping down on a 13’ pole?
She and her coach are/were perfectly aware of this limitation to progression.
The question then remains how to go about achieving improved PR on longer poles and get there quickly given, as ADTF pointed out, this is difficult for some female vaulters who grip up capping 14’ or 14’ 7” poles.
Yes, of course she must grip up, run faster and move on to 14’ poles!
I read the appeal by Tim for help as help to get past the block to progress. His past achievements as a vaulter and currently as a coach led me to the conclusion that he was quite sensitive to and aware of the getting on longer poles and the speed issues ADTF rightly (IMO) has identified.
As a coach the decision to go up poles, given the high anxiety psychological state of the athlete and that PR progress had reached a dead stop in the context reality of urgent need to secure an athletic scholarship, is not as simple as grip up on longer sticks and run faster!
Again, ADTF Academy is right in that going up poles will definitely give bigger bang for your buck for reasons suggested in relation to pole bend and time available to execute (top end) 2nd phase of the vault.
How to get this specific vaulter, with this specific coach in these specific circumstances to move on to bigger poles and become able to benefit from ADTF Academy’s excellent advice is the nut to be cracked.
What I suggested was about the how to assist this vaulter to overcome the pole vault key technical factor/s retarding progress and IMO enable her to then easily progress her grip upwards on her 13 foot pole. This was implied rather than explicitly as explained by ADTF Academy.
The advice I offered is certainly not “micro management of style” as has been asserted.
IMHO advice offered, by myself and others, equipped this coach and athlete with some “how to” and “can do” information immediately capable of being put into action in their real world practice situation to build the necessary bridge across the chasm that exists/existed between where they are/were and moving the grip up on a 13’pole. My judgement, on the basis of the evidence, was that moving to 14’ poles would be disastrous in the circumstances!
ADTF clearly disagrees. His knowledge and experience lead him to his conclusion which is on that basis equally valid. As always the coach on the ground doing the hard yards is the final arbiter in decisions on acceptance or rejection of advice offered.
My experience of elite pole vault coaching (world class men & women) also leads me to agree with ADTF comments in regard to difficulties some elite female vaulters on 14’, 14’ 7’ or 15’ poles have with “top end” technique.
However for female vaulters to achieve this level of proficiency tall physique, amazing talent, physical power and speed, unbelievable competitive composure and drive, perfect physical conditioning, superb management and sponsorship is not enough to make the top and have longevity in making a living from pole vault.
Why not?
Papering over flaws in technique during talented vaulter development by exploiting talent over technical efficiency can produce extraordinary success, even when the elite level is reached.
But longevity, earning a living or achieving the ultimate prizes remain beyond reach due to the limitations imposed by the “small hidden flaws in technique” for the vast majority of World Class Elite Vaulters who compete on the circuit and in major competitions.
In the specific case being discussed I believe the “hidden flaws” that were identified and addressed were significant impediments to this vaulter’s goal achievement and needed to be removed to open up the path to both pole grip length progression on the 13’ pole prior to undertaking the agreed challenges that using 14 foot/14 foot plus poles impose in getting bang for buck.
Finally, I agree with ADTF that my advice was merely coach opinion.
I can not agree that the advice I offered is “micro management of style” because in this specific vaulter’s case to do as ADTF Academy suggests, Tim should put the cart before the horse!
On the basis of the visual evidence presented, by Tim, the question has to be asked is "Why is the specific vaulter gripping down on a 13’ pole?
She and her coach are/were perfectly aware of this limitation to progression.
The question then remains how to go about achieving improved PR on longer poles and get there quickly given, as ADTF pointed out, this is difficult for some female vaulters who grip up capping 14’ or 14’ 7” poles.
Yes, of course she must grip up, run faster and move on to 14’ poles!
I read the appeal by Tim for help as help to get past the block to progress. His past achievements as a vaulter and currently as a coach led me to the conclusion that he was quite sensitive to and aware of the getting on longer poles and the speed issues ADTF rightly (IMO) has identified.
As a coach the decision to go up poles, given the high anxiety psychological state of the athlete and that PR progress had reached a dead stop in the context reality of urgent need to secure an athletic scholarship, is not as simple as grip up on longer sticks and run faster!
Again, ADTF Academy is right in that going up poles will definitely give bigger bang for your buck for reasons suggested in relation to pole bend and time available to execute (top end) 2nd phase of the vault.
How to get this specific vaulter, with this specific coach in these specific circumstances to move on to bigger poles and become able to benefit from ADTF Academy’s excellent advice is the nut to be cracked.
What I suggested was about the how to assist this vaulter to overcome the pole vault key technical factor/s retarding progress and IMO enable her to then easily progress her grip upwards on her 13 foot pole. This was implied rather than explicitly as explained by ADTF Academy.
The advice I offered is certainly not “micro management of style” as has been asserted.
IMHO advice offered, by myself and others, equipped this coach and athlete with some “how to” and “can do” information immediately capable of being put into action in their real world practice situation to build the necessary bridge across the chasm that exists/existed between where they are/were and moving the grip up on a 13’pole. My judgement, on the basis of the evidence, was that moving to 14’ poles would be disastrous in the circumstances!
ADTF clearly disagrees. His knowledge and experience lead him to his conclusion which is on that basis equally valid. As always the coach on the ground doing the hard yards is the final arbiter in decisions on acceptance or rejection of advice offered.
My experience of elite pole vault coaching (world class men & women) also leads me to agree with ADTF comments in regard to difficulties some elite female vaulters on 14’, 14’ 7’ or 15’ poles have with “top end” technique.
However for female vaulters to achieve this level of proficiency tall physique, amazing talent, physical power and speed, unbelievable competitive composure and drive, perfect physical conditioning, superb management and sponsorship is not enough to make the top and have longevity in making a living from pole vault.
Why not?
Papering over flaws in technique during talented vaulter development by exploiting talent over technical efficiency can produce extraordinary success, even when the elite level is reached.
But longevity, earning a living or achieving the ultimate prizes remain beyond reach due to the limitations imposed by the “small hidden flaws in technique” for the vast majority of World Class Elite Vaulters who compete on the circuit and in major competitions.
In the specific case being discussed I believe the “hidden flaws” that were identified and addressed were significant impediments to this vaulter’s goal achievement and needed to be removed to open up the path to both pole grip length progression on the 13’ pole prior to undertaking the agreed challenges that using 14 foot/14 foot plus poles impose in getting bang for buck.
Finally, I agree with ADTF that my advice was merely coach opinion.
I can not agree that the advice I offered is “micro management of style” because in this specific vaulter’s case to do as ADTF Academy suggests, Tim should put the cart before the horse!