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One of my first meets since fracturing my hip in two places. I've been going back and fourth between 5 and 6 lefts, but not as aggressive as I was near the end of last year (of course, everything starts coming together right before i get injured). A few weeks before I was on a 14'7 160 from this same run with a 13'6 grip and cleared 14', by about 15", but then when I went back to 6 lefts, was on the same pole (no gain from the longer run).

The plan this day was to just go down to a 5 and grip about 14' on a 14' 170 (i'm still only 130lbs), but my achillies tendinitis started acting up again so I practically had to jog down the runway. I actually kinda like the 4.50-make, but I'm on such a small pole, that I get no pop. I think I'll stay on the 5-left run for another week, and if I can keep my achillies at bay, I can hop on the 14' 170 or 15' 150 with a 4.30 grip and clear 4.65.

I always enjoy feedback. -6P

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L60TfAJBNeQ

Your hips are going really far forward after take off which is making it hard to swing. Everything also looks a little flat. Can't really tell from video but you are probably under and not jumping much at take off which is causing most of your problems.

Congrats on your 5 left PR!

The biggest problem I see is your first step. It is short and weak, compared to what it could be. If you can push harder and higher with that first step, and get the knee high, your COM will be UP higher from that first step, you will have a taller takeoff and more vertical impulse. This is especially important for shorter vaulters who need all the UP they can get at the takeoff. Your run will probably get back to around 65 (or more) without stretching if you can do this right, which is closer to where you should be with your speed.
Hopefully that taller takeoff angle will allow you to keep the hips back/chest forward, to set up the stretch for the swing, instead of losing your hips right away.
Just my .02

Good luck,

Tom

thanks for the tips guys, yea, i was jogging into the jump cause of my achillies (which felt better today from 3), and still taking off about a foot under, so I know I was over-striding (lowering my center of gravity and not allowing me to jump well at take-off. -6P

Some of the jumps towards the end it looked as if your swing was slower, but that is more than likely from everything else. I noticed the flat takeoff as well, but a pr is a pr As long as you're healing up and feeling better, you'll start to get better. Good luck!

P.S. Too bad I'm red shirting indoor season, I would've been up there last weekend with the team. (Gardner-Webb) Could've said hi haha

UPDATE: had a pain-free meet at VMI (with the crooked runway) and was really able to run comfortably from 6 lefts which led to a good fast cadence in the last 6 steps. This in turn let to a good, solid jump off the ground and to my first day back on 15-foot poles, a new indoor best of 4.60 and a solid attempt at 4.80. I was gripping about 13'9 on a 15' 150 and the jumps felt great, but sadly, I did what I always did at my 4.80 attempts and took off low on the first attempt, slowed down on the second, and then blew-through on the third :/ Hopefully this weekend at UNC, I can look forward to a repeat but be on the 15' 155 and some solid, sonsistent jumps and a new PR. I'll keep yall posted. -6P