mat thickness?

[dheldr01]

is there any documentation by nfhs stating a minimum thickness requirement for pole vault mats?

[rainbowgirl28]

I don't have my rule book handy... I think the minimum for the main part of the pit is 27"? It's not very thick, if you only met the minimum with poor quality foam, it would be easy for a 13' boy to bottom out. We have some pits like that in Seattle.

[dheldr01]

Well ours are only 25in thick but the school won't buy new ones until they get confirmation on how thick the mats are required to be by the nfhs

[rainbowgirl28]

Well ours are only 25in thick but the school won't buy new ones until they get confirmation on how thick the mats are required to be by the nfhs

Does no one at your school own a rule book?

[dheldr01]

the nfhs handbook does not specify a minimum thickness in the handbook

[master]

the nfhs handbook does not specify a minimum thickness in the handbook

To my surprise, it appears you are correct. At least in my 2010 rule book, Rule 7-5 Art 7 states, "The material in the system shall be high enough and of a composition that will decelerate the landing." Although the wording used does really specify the desired objective, it doesn't really provide much help. Anyone have any comments? Is there something better defined in a newer Rule Book?

[drcurran]

I was just checking my HS rules and folks are correct for the PV a suggestion of thickness is not even made, yet a suggestion (by rules committee) is made for the high jump between 18" and 24" depending on what kind of material is use. In the NCAA rule book a thickness of 0.813m (32") is required. That is probably a good place to start. OK just my .02

Dan