rainbowgirl28 wrote:I would imagine it is the perrogative of the manufacturer about what they want to certify as a pole. If a manufacturer decided they wanted to chop 6 inches off a pole, and reflex it and certify it, that should be their right. I am sure the NFHS rule is not written in a way to deny manufacturers of their creative ability to create poles.
Now can you chop 6 inches off your poles and use them in a high school meet? The NFHS says no.
Gill Athletics has said that they will inspect, test, an re-certify poles for a fee plus shipping costs. Pvjunkie or Decamouse can clarify that.
As for it being legal or illegal to cut off poles and use them in high school? Well, the rule says you can't use a pole that is improperly marked. By cutting off a pole, you have, in essence, created a different pole. Let's say you had a 15' 165 and it broke at the bottom, so you cut the end off clean with a hacksaw and the pole is now 14' long. Is it still a 165? Well no. The first thing to consider is that the relative stiffness of a 15' 165 in a 14' length is a 185. So if you were holding 14' on the 15' 165, you were basically jumping on a 14' 185. Consider though, that now the pole is cut, and holding the same height you're now at the top of the pole, and gripping up on a pole basically makes it softer, so it may be more like a 14' 180 now. Not a for-sure, but just a generality.
NFHS Rule 7, Section 5, Article 4: "A competitor shall not use a variable weight pole, a pole which is improperly marked or a pole rated below his/her weight during warm-up or competition. Penalty: Disqualification from the event." The argument is that if a pole is cut, the length and weight rating are altered, so it is improperly marked. It is a vague rule though, and is more directed at people putting fake weight labels on top of poles or sanding off the numbers and re-engraving them.
Article 5 states: "Prior to warm-up, the field referee, head field judge or assigned inspector of implements shall inspect each pole to be used in the competiton to verify that the poles are legal equipment as per Rule 7-4-3. This includes checking the placement of a top hand-hold band, numerical pole ratings a minimum of 3/4 inches in a contrasting color located within or above the top hand-hold band, and the proper binding of not more than two layers of adhesive tape of uniform thickness. The binding shall not be on or above the top hand-hold band."
So the rule says nothing about inspecting the length of the pole, and although I've been told that some states measure the length, it's not stated to do so in the rules. Loose interpretation. Kind of like people saying you can't put a bungee up in warmups - one official argued that it doesn't say you CAN do it in the rulebook, so you must not be able to. On the contrary, my argument is that if if doesn't say you CANNOT do it, then assume that you CAN.
I had one official tell me my kid couldn't grip above 6 inches from the top of the pole when Rule 7, Section 5, Article 4 clearly states: "...a 1-inch circular band indicating the maximum top handhold position with the position being determined by the manufacturer." Doesn't say 6 inches from the top.
Still though, don't cut poles, and if you have one that's broken or cut off the bottom, talk to Gill about getting it re-certified.
Juss kidding